New Books in Political Science Florentine Koppenborg, "Japan's Nuclear Disaster and the Politics of Safety Governance" (Cornell UP, 2023)
Jan 5, 2026
Florentine Koppenborg, a political scientist and author, explores the intricate landscape of Japan's nuclear safety governance post-Fukushima disaster. She delves into the creation of an independent nuclear safety regulator and its struggles against political pressure. Koppenborg highlights the challenges of local protests and the regulatory reforms that emerged after the crisis. She also examines the unintended consequences of stringent safety regulations on energy costs and the slow progress of renewable energy development, providing valuable insights into global nuclear policy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Personal Exposure To Nuclear Fear
- Florentine Koppenborg recalls being an infant during Chernobyl and how her mother sheltered her and sought uncontaminated baby food.
- This early experience shaped her lifelong unease about nuclear risks and interest in reliable safety information.
Strategic Promotion Shaped Public Consent
- Koppenborg describes
Expanding Existing Sites To Sidestep Protests
- Local opposition focused on preventing new plant sites, so utilities added reactors to existing sites instead of creating new locations.
- This strategy sidestepped protests and entrenched nuclear expansion at established locations.
