When I published my first novel, Green Metal: Life in Tokyo During the Nuclear Catastrophe in early 2024 I never imagined that its themes might someday resonate with Australian politics.  

The book is based on my experience of living in Japan during the 2011 Fukushima disaster, when three nuclear reactors exploded—a moment in history that now feels almost ancient in our rapidly evolving world.

Then, in June, something unexpected happened: Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton announced the Coalition’s plan to build nuclear power plants in Australia. The timing felt surreal, and I felt a strong urge to respond. 

Watching the news, I noticed that many critical aspects of nuclear energy—including safety concerns and its potential risks to nearby communities—weren’t being discussed enough. I also saw a familiar and troubling pattern I never thought I’d witness in Australia: fear, anxiety and division spreading among communities suddenly announced as potential sites for nuclear power plants.

Nuclear projects are often imposed from the top down, without consulting residents. Promises of economic prosperity are dangled in front of rural communities, creating divisions among them. In Japan, especially after the Fukushima disaster, it has become widely recognised that nuclear power inherently involves structural discrimination and societal sacrifice. When there is even a 0.1% chance of an accident, who would willingly take that risk? 

Nuclear plants are often built in economically struggling rural areas, where communities, desperate for opportunities, are persuaded to accept the risks in the hope of a better future. These locations are frequently prime farmland or vital agricultural regions—if something goes wrong, residents lose not only their safety but also their livelihoods. 

Meanwhile, the politicians who approve these projects and the executives who profit from them remain far removed, living in cities, safely distanced from the potential dangers. And urban residents become the primary beneficiaries of the electricity generated in these rural areas. Regardless of how pro-nuclear advocates argue otherwise, nuclear power is far from clean when disasters occur, and it remains ethically tainted by the structural sacrifices it imposes on communities.

During the nuclear catastrophe in 2011, just like M, the protagonist of Green Metal who documents what she witnesses, I observed first hand how the nuclear industry operates. In the story, M records how industry-funded “experts” blatantly lie, how they collaborate with politicians and major media outlets to spread propaganda, and how they frame nuclear power as “clean” energy—a supposed alternative to dirty coal. These details are drawn from real life, based on the diary I kept during those days.

So as an act of protest, I sent copies of my novella to Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Adam Bandt from the Greens. I didn’t expect them to read it or respond, but it felt like something I needed to do.

If you’re curious, you can read the full text of the letters I sent along with the book: 

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November 4th 2024

Dear Mr Dutton,

I am a writer and translator, born in Japan and residing in Sydney since marrying my Australian husband in 2016. I now consider Australia my home, enjoying my life here with the support of my husband, Australian family, colleagues, and friends.

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding recent reports of Coalition’s plans to initiate nuclear power generation in Australia. I lived in Tokyo during the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011. Although I was not near the epicentre (approximately 300 km distance between Fukushima and Tokyo), the chaos of the situation gave me insights and  a deep understanding of how the nuclear industry operates.

Proponents often emphasise that, unlike Japan, Australia is largely free from earthquakes, which is certainly true. I also trust that Australia, if it were to introduce nuclear power, would likely implement stronger governance and regulatory systems than those in my native country.

However, I urge you and your colleagues to carefully consider whether introducing such a potentially hazardous energy source, and risking the strong safety reputation of Australian products—including agricultural goods, seafood, and wine—is truly worth it. I still remember, at the time of the Fukushima nuclear accident, mothers of breastfeeding infants seeking Australian baby formula as the safest option, fearing contamination of domestic supplies. If anything were to happen, Australia’s reputation for safe, clean products would be lost forever.

I’ve enclosed a copy of my novella, Green Metal: Life in Tokyo During the Nuclear Catastrophe (UGUISU BOOKS, 2024).

I wrote this semi-autobiographical fiction, consisting of  my diaries, emails, personal notes and news bulletins from that time, after coming to Australia, as few people here are aware of what we went through.

Sincerely,

Michiyo Miyake