OSAKA -- South Korean and Japanese antinuclear activists demonstrated in front of Kansai Electric Power Co. in central Osaka late Wednesday afternoon to protest the company's involvement in shipping mixed plutonium-uranium fuel (MOX).
Hee Joung Son and Oh Sun Mi, representatives from the Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, which claims 50,000 members, were joined by about 20 Japanese activists from Kansai and Hiroshima.
The two women are traveling around Japan and have already held demonstrations in Fukuoka and Hiroshima.
"We came to Osaka to meet with Kepco officials to protest their use of mixed plutonium-uranium fuel," Hee said. "But Kansai Electric just kept telling us that MOX is safe."
About 440 kg of MOX is being transported from Europe by two ships, both of which are expected to arrive in Japanese waters within the next two weeks. Half is for use in the Kepco-owned Takahama plant in Fukui Prefecture; the other half will be delivered to nuclear power plants in Fukushima Prefecture.
The shipments haven't only triggered the ire of individuals. Governments -- including those of South Africa, New Zealand and Fiji -- have also voiced their opposition, as has the Pusan city council, concerned that the ship bound for Takahama might wish to dock in Korea.
The exact route to Japan is being guarded.
"We are worried that if Japan goes ahead with its MOX program, Korea will follow," said Hee.
At present, there are 16 nuclear reactors in Korea, all of which use traditional uranium fuel, she said.
Hee and Oh will travel to Takahama today and then to Tokyo on Friday. While in Tokyo, they plan to lodge a protest with Foreign Ministry officials.