Nuclear power plants and biocultural renaissance: A case study of Iwaishima Island in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan

For three decades, Iwaishima Islanders have rejected the proposal for a nuclear power plant to be built 3.5 km from their home. Located in the Suo-nada Inland Sea, which has miraculously escaped contamination, dredging of sand, or reclamation that damaged the Seto Inland Sea after WWII, the islanders maintain their livelihood by marketing fresh fish and organic produce. Based on studies on the biodiversity and recent interviews, some underlying reasons for their unyielding struggle have come to light: (1) some worked in Fukushima Daiichi NPP, and knew its damaging effects on human health and the bioregion; (2) islanders exchange goods and services, with minimal dependence on cash; and (3) they have revived the 10-century-old Kanmai (divine dance) festival held every 4 years.

► Kaminoseki Nuclear Power Plant is projected on the biodiversity hotspot of the Seto Inland Sea of Japan.
► Since 1982, Iwaishima Islanders have refused this NPP project for fear of losing their rich fishing ground.
► Some of them had worked in Fukushima Daiichi NPP in the 1970s, and recognized its peril on life long before its explosion.
► Inside the island, they prefer exchange and gift giving to money that emphasizes inequality and damages their human ties.
► They have revived a 10-century-old divine dance festival as a symbol to unite their families living out of the island.