The Campaign for Nuclear Power in Japan before and after 2011

Abstract

In the chapter I analyse the emergence of a countermovement in reaction to the rise of the movement against nuclear power in Japan since the 1970s. I trace the emergence of the countermovement in historical perspective, and analyse the organizational and social basis, the mobilization processes, the framing, and political influence of the groups involved. I then analyse the political impact of the Fukushima 2011 nuclear accident on the movement. I show how the countermovement was able survive a period of intense contestation preserving its resource basis and retaining significant influence on the policymaking process due to support from parts of the national bureaucracy and conservative politicians.