EDITORIAL : THE JAPAN TIMES, JAPAN

Mr. Ishihara's re-election bid

Gov. Shintaro Ishihara of Tokyo announced Friday that he will run for a fourth term in the April gubernatorial election. At one point, it was reported he would not run. Behind his decision was strong encouragement from the Liberal Democratic Party. It appears that he was worried that none of the other candidates would continue his policy line.

It is shameful that the ruling Democratic Party of Japan has decided not to field its own gubernatorial candidate, although there was a rumor that government revitalization minister Renho would run. The DPJ's decision is another blow to a party that has been on a losing streak in local elections. There are about 10.68 million voters in Tokyo, more than 10 percent of the nation's voters. Tokyo is Japan's center of politics and administration. Its general account budget for fiscal 2011 is more than ¥6.2 trillion. The function and power of the Tokyo governor are different from those of other prefectural governors. The outcome of the election will have a great impact on the administration of Prime Minister Naoto Kan.

Mr. Ishihara, originally a novelist, is a well-known figure. He is often criticized for making discriminatory remarks. His strength lies in his strong character and leadership, whether one likes him or not. His 12-year record as Tokyo governor is mixed. He reconstructed the metropolitan government's finances, strengthened control of gas emissions from diesel-engine vehicles and pushed Haneda airport into going international. Yet, Shinginko Tokyo, a bank established on Mr. Ishihara's initiative, has entered financial straits, and there is criticism that while he likes to pursue large-scale development projects, he does not demonstrate a strong interest in medical services and social welfare measures.

At least two other candidates will run in the gubernatorial election. The main issues include the relocation of the Tsukiji fish market, whether Tokyo should bid for the Olympic games and how to strengthen welfare policies. It is hoped that the candidates will make concrete policy proposals so that voters can choose a person who deserves to serve as the face of Japan's capital.

Fukushima nuclear plant alert

The situation at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s No. 1 Fukushima nuclear power plant, damaged by the March 11 quake and tsunami, is worsening. Following hydrogen explosions in the No. 1 and No. 3 reactors Saturday and Monday, respectively, serious accidents occurred in the No. 2 and No. 4 reactors Monday and Tuesday.

The No. 2 reactor suffered a major loss of coolant, fully exposing its nuclear fuel rods for several hours. An explosion occurred Tuesday morning in the suppression pool at the bottom of its containment vessel. Water in the doughnut-shaped pool cools steam from the vessel and turns it into water when pressure inside the vessel goes up. The explosion points to the possibility that highly radioactive materials leaked through a crack in the suppression pool. Later Tuesday morning, a fire broke out in the No. 4 reactor's outer containment building, possibly caused by a hydrogen explosion. Another fire occured Wednesday. The function to cool spent nuclear fuel stored in the building with water may have been lost. If such fuel is not cooled, and if it is exposed, highly radioactive materials could leak outside.

Possible partial damage to the No. 3 reactor's containment vessel was reported Wednesday. At one point on Tuesday, radiation of 400,000 microsieverts was detected inside the plant site — close to a level that can cause acute health problems. Evacuation from areas within a 20-km radius from the plant has been carried out. The government told people within a 20- to 30-km radius to remain indoors.

Radiation levels drastically fall as radioactive particles travel from their source. Although radioactive alpha particles believed to be from the plant were detected in Tokyo, about 200 km away, there is little possibility — even in a worse-case scenario — that human health would be at risk in places more than 30 km from the plant. Still, people should carefully monitor the wind direction.

It is vital that the government and TEPCO provide accurate information on radiation levels promptly and regularly. TEPCO is working to cool the reactor cores by injecting seawater. Danger from the release of radioactive materials into the environment cannot be ruled out. The government must seriously consider specific ways to protect health in such a situation.