Fukushima to serve as testing ground for eco-friendly ventures

Fukushima turned into the most unpleasant city in Japan in March in the wake of the massive earthquake. After six months, however, the city is showing signs of revival and trying to remove its image as the world’s worst nuclear disaster-affected area.

A case in point is a project to nurture the renewable energy industry by attracting the world’s leading eco-friendly companies to Fukushima. Against this backdrop, global energy companies are eyeing the city as a testing ground for next-generation industries.

○ A mecca for the energy industry?

Elon Musk, CEO of U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Telsa Motor, recently visited Soma in Fukushima Prefecture, one of the cities hit hardest by the nuclear accident. He donated a 20-kilowatt solar power system to the city as a part of his plan to invest in Fukushima’s renewable energy industry.

Musk said the nuclear accident served as an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of solar energy.

Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son is also eyeing Fukushima as key foothold for his “renewable energy project.”

Kim Jong-seo, the head of Hanwha Group`s headquarters in Japan who is in talks with the Fukushima city government on a free supply of 20-kilowatt solar power system to elementary schools, said, “With Fukushima showing great interest in nurturing renewable energy, the city is rising as a test bed for various energy businesses of global companies.”

Fukushima’s vision does not end here. After most of its land was polluted by nuclear leaks to make farming impossible, the prefecture decided to launch a “plants factory” project, or massive planting of eco-friendly vegetables in pollution-free areas through advanced technologies.

Vegetable plants are attracting interest in Japan amid rising demand for chemical-free food. All of the energy needed for the plant will be self-supplied through water power and geothermal heat.

○ Overcoming crisis through reverse thinking

Prior to the March earthquake and nuclear accident, Fukushima was the representative city of northern Japan, accounting for 32 percent of the combined manufacturing production of its six cities. Most of the manufacturing was directly hit by the nuclear accident, however, since the cities were within a 30-kilometer radius. The regional population declined to 1.6 million from 2.02 million.

Fukushima also plans to cope with the aging population due to the outflow of young workers by setting up welfare services for the elderly. In the village of Nishigo, where senior citizen facilities are heavily equipped, advanced welfare facilities and vocational schools will be set up to develop programs for senior citizens. Chinese workers and students will also be encouraged to move there.

In addition, the prefecture will foster medical tourism linking its knowhow accumulated through geriatric care and hot springs tours.

Various reverse thinking projects are also emerging in Fukushima, including new businesses related to eliminating pollutants stemming from radiation, dissolution of nuclear reactors, and treatment of residue.

Referring to the rapid growth of radiation-related businesses in Russia such as radiation measuring devices after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear meltdown, Fukushima is trying to profit from the remnants of the accident. Experts in Japan estimate the market for decontamination at 1 trillion yen (1.3 trillion U.S. dollars).

changkim@donga.com