It's interesting to compare Paul Hockenos' list of "elements" or factors behind the strong German anti-nuclear movement (in "Germany's Nuclear Endgame: The Lessons", in Open Democracy, 26 July) with the conditions in Japan.
It turns out that there are many similarities (strong grassroot protest, non-violent direct action, "non-ideological" diversity enabling alliances across left-right spectrum).
A major difference is that the Japanese movement never took off from the local level while the German movement developed nation-wide platforms and a Green Party, which in turn was crucial in fostering economic incentives and green legislation.
So the problem is: why won't Japan, with its myriad of obscure ephemeral parties, also set up a Green party? Now would be a good timing.
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