Peace education, domestic tranquility, and democracy: the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster as domestic violence

Abstract

This article is an attempt to develop a theory of peace education through an examination of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. It examines why Japan did not avoid this terrible nuclear disaster. This is an educational issue, because one of the major impacts of Fukushima's catastrophe is that it indicates the failure of peace education. In order to reestablish a theory of peace education, the concept of domestic tranquility is discussed. This article questions whether the Japanese public order is consistent with democratic principles. Jane Roland Martin's examination of the concept of domestic tranquility is shown relevant. Martin's language analysis helps to distinguish whether or not Japanese domestic tranquility under nuclear crisis is democratic. I propose that post-Fukushima disaster peace education should be reformed as consistent with two democratic principles: acceptance of the diversity of peace and continuous negotiation among these different narratives.

Keywords::

• peace education
• feminist philosophy
• Affiliation Liberal
• Jane Roland Martin
• Fukushima

Notes

^1. See Murakami's Speech (2011) on Receiving the Catalunya International Prize. In Catalunya International Prize. Spain.

^2. See Chapter 5 in Martin (1992).

^3. See http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/disarmament/nnp/

^4. See http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/un/disarmament/nnp/

^5. See Solnit (2010).

^6. See Chapter 4 in Solnit (2010).

^7. See Chapter 2 in Solnit (2010). Solnit cites Kathleen Tierney's talk at http://news.stanford.edu/pr/2005/pr-quakepress-092805.html

^8. See Etsunari Kurose et al. “ ⌈Nihon No Kiki⌋ Sekai Ga Chusi” (Yomiuri, March 17, 2011) and “Gaisikei Kigyo Jinin Ido Mo” (Yomiuri, March 19, 2011).

^9. See “Osaka No Hotel Mansitsu Zokushutsu Gaisikei Kigyo Nado Yoyaku Teiden/Genpatsu Kenen” (Yomiuri, March 18, 2011). Also see “Gaisikei Kansai Ni Honsha Kinou Risk Bunsan Itijiiten No Ugoki” (Yomiuri, March 24, 2011).

^10. See Asahi, July 27, 2011. Also, former prime minister Naoto Kan confessed after his resignation that he once took into account advice to evacuate all people from Tokyo area.

^11. See Yomiuri, March 17, 2011.

^12. See Yamanaka (2011). Also see Yomiuri, April 16, 2011.

^13. See Matsumoto (2011).

^14. See Introduction in Williams (2003).

^15. Murakami (2011) says ‘We have to retain the allergy to nuclear power trigged by our experience of nuclear weapons. We should have made the development of non-nuclear power generation the main policy after World War II.’