View source for Genpatsu-shinsai

{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Genpatsu-shinsai'''''|原発震災}}, meaning ''nuclear power plant earthquake disaster'' (from the two words ''Genpatsu'' – nuclear power plant – and ''Shinsai'' – earthquake disaster) is a term which was coined by Japanese [[Seismology|seismologist]] Professor [[Katsuhiko Ishibashi]] in 1997.<ref name=ishibashi-slides-2003>[http://historical.seismology.jp/ishibashi/opinion/0307IUGG_slides.pdf Genpatsu-Shinsai: Catastrophic Multiple Disaster of Earthquake and Quake-induced Nuclear Accident Anticipated in the Japanese Islands (Slides)], [[Katsuhiko Ishibashi]], 23rd. General Assembly of IUGG, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, accessed 2011-03-28</ref> It describes a [[domino effect]] scenario in which a major [[earthquake]] causes a severe accident at a [[nuclear power plant]] near a major population centre, resulting in an uncontrollable release of radiation in which the radiation levels make damage control and rescue impossible, and earthquake damage severely impedes the evacuation of the population. Ishibashi envisages that such an event would have a global impact and a 'fatal' effect on Japan, seriously affecting [[future generations]].<ref name=ishibashi-slides-2003 /><ref name=ishibashi-abstract-2003>[http://historical.seismology.jp/ishibashi/opinion/0307IUGG_Genpatsu_Abstract.pdf Genpatsu-Shinsai: Catastrophic Multiple Disaster of Earthquake and Quake-induced Nuclear Accident Anticipated in the Japanese Islands (Abstract)], [[Katsuhiko Ishibashi]], 23rd. General Assembly of IUGG, 2003, Sapporo, Japan, accessed 2011-03-28</ref>

In Japan, Ishibashi believes that a number of nuclear power stations could be involved in such a scenario, but that the [[Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant]], located near the centre of the expected [[Tōkai earthquake]]s, is the most likely candidate. He is also concerned that a similar scenario could take place elsewhere in the world. As a result, he believes that the matter should be a global concern.<ref name=ishibashi-slides-2003 /><ref name=ishibashi-abstract-2003 />

==See also==
*[[Nuclear power in Japan]]
**[[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster]]
**[[2011 Japanese nuclear accidents]]
*[[Nuclear power]]
**[[Nuclear power debate]]
**[[Lists of nuclear disasters and radioactive incidents]]
*[[Seismicity in Japan]]
*[[International Nuclear Event Scale]]

==External links==
* Katsuhiko Ishibashi: [http://www.japanfocus.org/-Ishibashi-Katsuhiko/2495 "Why worry? Japan's nuclear plants at grave risk from quake damage"] ''The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus'' (August 11, 2007)
*Michael Reilly: [https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19526144.500-insight-where-not-to-build-nuclear-power-stations.html "Insight: Where not to build nuclear power stations"] (preview only) ''[[New Scientist]]'' (July 28, 2007). {{subscription required}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Nuclear power in Japan}}

{{coord missing|Japan}}

[[Category:Nuclear power in Japan]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]
[[Category:Nuclear safety and security]]
[[Category:Nuclear accidents and incidents]]
[[Category:Earthquakes in Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]]
[[Category:Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster]]


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