Image
Ayumi Fukakusa: “A Nuclear Disaster Destroys Not Only Homes, but Entire Communities”
November 11, 2026
In the COP31 Climate Special Broadcast, Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui speaks with Ayumi Fukakusa of Friends of the Earth Japan about the ongoing impacts of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, nuclear energy cooperation between Türkiye and Japan, and why nuclear energy cannot be a solution to the climate crisis.
Waseem Ahmad Siddiqui: So we are with Ayumi Fukakusa.
Ayumi Fukakusa: Fukakusa.
W.A.S.: Fukakusa. Today, we had the “No Nukes” protest, an anti-nuclear demonstration. I think we can call it a protest, right?
So, you'll be my second interviewee after Talia. Could you tell us about the recent nuclear energy agreement between Japan and Turkey? And, if possible, could you also explain the purpose and demands of this very important protest you've organized?
A.F.: Actually, I don't know about a recent contract. I know about the previous agreement. I'm not sure whether there is a new agreement between Turkey and Japan, but there was one many years ago involving Japanese companies that were trying to export nuclear technology to Turkey for the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant.
The Japanese government was also supportive of the project, and it was very much a national initiative. However, in the end, the company withdrew from the project because of the high cost of building the nuclear power plant.
W.A.S.: So, could you tell me about the purpose and demands of the protest that you and the other activists organized here?
A.F.: As the climate crisis intensifies, there are growing calls for cleaner energy. Industries and some governments are claiming that nuclear power is a clean energy source. However, we are very concerned about this, and we disagree with that argument because nuclear power is very dangerous and extremely expensive.
Even without nuclear accidents, nuclear power can cause significant environmental pollution at every stage, from uranium mining to nuclear waste disposal.
I come from Japan, where we experienced the Fukushima nuclear disaster. That was 15 years ago, but people are still suffering from its consequences. For example, there are still areas where entry is prohibited, meaning some people may never be able to return to their homes.
Some people were evacuated, some returned, and others stayed. This has deeply divided communities and society. Many people also lost their homes and livelihoods. But losing a home doesn't simply mean losing a place to live. It also means losing cultural connections and relationships within communities. These consequences continue to this day.
Meanwhile, the climate crisis is happening right now. It is already affecting us. Building a new nuclear power plant takes a great deal of time and money, and we need solutions that can address the climate crisis immediately.
That's why we gathered here today: to say that nuclear power is not a solution to the climate crisis.
W.A.S.: Thank you, Ayumi Fukakusa. More power to you! Thank you.
Who is Ayumi Fukakusa? Ayumi Fukakusa is a Japanese environmental activist and Executive Director of Friends of the Earth Japan (FoE Japan). Her work focuses on climate justice, opposition to nuclear energy, the phase-out of fossil fuels, and sustainable energy policies. She is particularly active in efforts to address the impacts of the Fukushima nuclear disaster and challenge Japan’s nuclear energy policies.
