Tokyo, Japan – Today, 15 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which devastated the northeast region of Japan. Greenpeace Japan extends heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families who are still suffering the aftermath of this catastrophe.

Sam Annesley, Executive Director of Greenpeace Japan, said: 

Today marks 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident. We honor the memory of those who lost their lives and offer our deepest sympathies to the survivors. Our hearts remain with the families and communities who have endured so much over the past 15 years. 

On a Friday afternoon in early spring, the massive earthquake, tsunami, and subsequent nuclear disaster struck. The scale of devastation reported in the news left everyone fearing for the safety of their loved ones. The release of vast amounts of radioactive material compounded an already unprecedented catastrophe; it hindered evacuation, search, and rescue efforts in addition to irrevocably contaminating fertile land and water systems. It continues to disrupt countless lives to this day. We express our heartfelt respect to those who, from the day of the tragedy to the present day, have worked tirelessly toward decommissioning and regional recovery.

We must change the fundamental energy system that created such suffering and sacrifice. In recent years, the Japanese government has clarified its policy to return to nuclear power, amid an increasing number of approvals for reactor restarts. However, the “Nuclear Emergency Declaration,” issued by the government on the day of the accident, has yet to be lifted, and no timeline for its cancellation has been publicised. To achieve the government’s goals of energy security, carbon neutrality,  power supply stability, and cost stability, it is essential to move away from nuclear power, promote energy efficiency, and transition to a society powered by 100% renewable energy.

From a security perspective, risks associated with nuclear power include the import of uranium, which Japan is 100% dependent on, and physical or cyber-attacks on facilities. While decarbonization is an urgent priority, constructing and commissioning new nuclear plants is not possible within the timeline we have to avert the climate crisis. 

Meanwhile, the restart of existing plants is confronted by a plethora of extremely difficult challenges that remain unresolved:  the physical safety of the facilities, the safety of hazard response workers, and evacuation routes to protect residents from radiation during complex disasters, such as simultaneous earthquakes and tsunamis. Furthermore, there is no strategy for the disposal of radioactive waste, even as it continues to accumulate from existing operations. Choosing nuclear power is the height of irresponsibility.

Nuclear power is also no longer a financially viable option. Currently, the most cost-competitive type of power generation in Japan is solar power, which utilizes domestic energy sources and is inexhaustible [1]. While photovoltaic cells are currently produced primarily overseas, approximately 70% of the total costs, including grid connection and construction, is handled by domestic companies, thereby contributing to the Japanese economy [2].

The narrative that highlights large-scale, centralized nuclear or fossil fuel plants as necessary to meet the expected increase in electricity consumption from electric vehicles and AI is short-sighted and  inconsistent with the 1.5°C target. We must move beyond this outdated paradigm. Our starting point must be in leveraging renewable energy—an inexpensive, stable, and domestic power source that requires no fuel imports and emits no radioactive waste or greenhouse gases—for the sake of industrial competitiveness and local communities [3].

 Japan is blessed with abundant renewable resources, including sunlight, wind, and water; there is vast potential to pursue energy efficiency while reducing costs. Greenpeace Japan calls on the government to prioritize the expansion of energy efficiency and sustainable renewables over nuclear power.

ENDS

Notes

[1] The cost of nuclear power stands at 11.2 yen/kWh, while utility-scale solar is 10.0 yen/kWh in 2023, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

[2] IRENA ”Renewable power generation costs in 2024”

[3] Greenpeace Japan, Press Release“Strong Concerns Over Reckless Development in the Name of Decarbonization: Greenpeace Proposes Renewable Energy That Coexists with Local Communities and Nature”, September 2025

Contacts

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Amsterdam, Netherlands – Reacting to the news that disruption to global fertiliser supply chains caused by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz may lead to a global food price shock, Amanda Larsson, Global Big Ag Project Lead, Greenpeace Aotearoa said: “The crisis brought on by this illegal attack by the US and Israeli militaries reveals a systemic failure at the heart of our global food system.” 

“Almost half of global food production now depends on synthetic fertilisers produced by a small number of fossil fuel and agrochemical giants, leaving families and farmers to pay the price the moment fragile supply chains break.[1] While the human cost of the conflict continues to mount, the geopolitical shock is hitting farmers at the peak of the spring application, threatening harvests across the Northern Hemisphere and knock-on effects on food prices.”

“The solution to food sovereignty, independence, and local resilience is the same as that needed to solve the climate and biodiversity crises: ecological farming. By working with nature to fix nutrients naturally in the soil, farmers can break the cycle of chemical dependence, slash costs, protect our rivers from toxic run-off, and ensure healthy, affordable food for generations to come.”

“Governments must stop propping up this fragile corporate model and redirect financial support away from resource-heavy, industrial agriculture. Food security cannot be bought on a volatile global chemical market; it must be grown from the ground up through healthy soil and local resilience. It is time to fund the transition to self-sufficient, ecological practices that serve communities, not billionaires.”

ENDS 

Notes:

[1] Bloomberg, ‘Iran War Threatens Vital Supplies for Feeding the World Iran War Threatens Vital Supplies for Feeding the World’, 6 March 2026 – https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-03-06/iran-war-s-impact-on-strait-of-hormuz-threatens-fertilizer-supplies-food-prices 

Contacts:

Joe Evans, Global Comms Lead, Big Agriculture project, Greenpeace UK, +44 7890 595387, joe.evans@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

More than 68 loaded oil tankers are currently trapped in the Persian Gulf. The reason: following attacks launched on Iran by Israel and the United States on 28 February, Iran has restricted access to the strategically important Hormuz Strait. Ongoing hostilities and disrupted vessel position signals dramatically increase the risk of oil spills. 

Greenpeace is calling for an immediate end to military violence, a return to international law, and diplomatic solutions. 

Since the beginning of the conflict, several ships have already been attacked, including a crude oil tanker off the coast of Kuwait. In total, the tankers currently blocked in the Persian Gulf are carrying around 16 billion litres of oil, an amount equivalent to Greece’s annual crude oil consumption.

New research: the risk of oil spills in the Hormuz Strait is serious

An alarming investigation by Greenpeace Germany has analysed the blocked Strait of Hormuz using ship movement data and satellite imagery and simulated the potential consequences of an oil spill in the Persian Gulf. 

In the event of a tanker leaking, it’s clear that local communities would pay this additional, long-term price for unlawful aggression and fossil fuel interests. An oil spill could destroy these unique ecosystems and the livelihoods that depend on them for decades. 

Our simulations show an ecological ticking time bomb: over 68 blocked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz represent an enormous risk that further increases instability in the region. 

Sensitive ecosystems at risk

The ecosystem of the Persian Gulf is unique. The Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman are home to sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows that provide vital habitats for numerous species. The Strait of Hormuz is the only maritime connection between the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea and plays a crucial role in the exchange of water and nutrients as well as serving as a migration route for marine mammals. 

Even in peacetime, these ecosystems are exposed to extreme natural conditions and significant human pressures from shipping, oil extraction, seawater desalination, and coastal development.

Greenpeace data experts used software from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute to calculate which regions of the Persian Gulf would be particularly threatened by an oil spill. The simulations assumed a spill of 50,000 tonnes of oil, as in tanker accidents often only part of the cargo enters the water. The locations of the simulated oil spills were based on the current positions of five tankers as well as historical weather and current data.

Peace, not war

An oil spill would have devastating consequences for people, animals, and plants in the region. Our simulations show how an oil slick could spread if one of the stranded tankers were damaged in an attack.

Everyone deserves to live in peace. Nobody wants war. At a time when the world must urgently unite, further violence only divides and destroys. Together we must rise up for peace. 

We must also ramp up pressure on our governments to urgently shift away from fossil fuels towards distributed renewable energy systems where the risks of conflict are reduced rather than amplified.

Nina Noelle is a crisis communications and international relations manager for Greenpeace Germany 

Kingston, Jamaica — As the International Seabed Authority (ISA) opens its 31st Session today, Greenpeace International is calling on member states to take firm and swift action if breaches by subsidiaries and subcontractors of The Metals Company (TMC) are established. Evidence compiled and submitted to the ISA’s Secretary General suggests that violations of exploration contracts may have occurred. [1][2] 

Louisa Casson, Campaigner, Greenpeace International said: “In July, governments at the ISA sent a clear message: rogue companies trying to sidestep international law will face consequences. Turning that promise into action at this meeting is far more important than rushing through a Mining Code designed to appease corporate interests rather than protect the common good. As delegations from around the world gather today, they must unite and confront the US and TMC’s neo-colonial resource grab and make clear that deep sea mining is a reckless gamble humanity cannot afford.”

The ISA launched an inquiry at its last Council meeting in July 2025, in response to TMC USA seeking unilateral deep sea mining licences from the Trump administration. If the US administration unilaterally allows mining the international seabed, it would be considered in violation of international law. 

Greenpeace International has compiled and submitted evidence to the ISA Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, to support the ongoing inquiry into deep sea mining contractors. This evidence shows that those supporting these unprecedented rogue efforts to start deep sea mining unilaterally via President Trump could be in breach of their obligations with the ISA.  

The analysis focuses on TMC’s subsidiaries — Nauru Ocean Resources Inc (NORI) and Tonga Offshore Mining Ltd (TOML) — as well as Blue Minerals Jamaica (BMJ), a company linked to Dutch-Swiss offshore engineering firm Allseas, one of TMC’s subcontractors and largest shareholders. The information compiled indicates that their activities may violate core contractual obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). [3] If these breaches are confirmed, NORI and TOML’s exploration contracts, which expire in July 2026 and January 2027 respectively, , the ISA should take action, including considering not renewing the contract.

Greenpeace International analysis key findings can be found in the footnotes.[2]

Letícia Carvalho has recently publicly advocated for governments to finalise a streamlined deep sea mining code this year and has expressed her own concerns with the calls from 40 governments for a moratorium.[4] At a time when rogue actors are attempting to bypass or weaken the international system, establishing rules and regulations that will allow mining to start could mean falling into the trap of international bullies. A Mining Code would legitimise and drive investment into a flagging industry, supporting rogue actor companies like TMC and weakening deterrence against unilateral mining outside the ISA framework.

Casson added: “Rushing to finalise a Mining Code serves the interests of multinational corporations, not the principles of multilateralism. With what we know now rules to mine the deep sea cannot coexist with ocean protection. Governments are legally obliged to only authorise deep sea mining if it can demonstrably benefit humanity – and that is non-negotiable. As the long list of scientific, environmental and social concerns with this industry keeps growing, what is needed is a clear political signal that the world will not be intimidated into rushing a mining code by unilateral threats and will instead keep moving towards a moratorium on deep sea mining.” 

ENDS

Photos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Notes:

[1] The 31st Session of the International Seabed Authority https://isa.org.jm/sessions/31st-session-2026

[2] Greenpeace briefing (March 2026). Inquiry On Potential Breaches By ISA Contractors https://www.greenpeace.org/static/planet4-international-stateless/2026/03/40094db7-isa_contractors_greenpeace_international.pdf

Key findings:

 – Following TMC USA’s application to mine the international seabed unilaterally, NORI and TOML have amended their agreements to provide payments to Nauru and Tonga, respectively, if US-authorised commercial mining goes ahead. This sets up their participation in a financial mechanism predicated on mining in contradiction to UNCLOS.

 – NORI and TOML have signed intercompany intellectual property and data-sharing agreements with TMC USA, and the data obtained by NORI and TOML under the ISA exploration contracts has been key to facilitating TMC USA’s application under US national regulations. 

 – Just a few individuals hold key decision-making roles across the TMC and all relevant subsidiaries, making claims of independent management ungrounded. NORI, TOML, and TMC USA, while legally distinct, are managed as an integrated corporate group with a single, coordinated strategy under the direct control and strategic direction of TMC.

[3] The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf 

[4] Deep Sea Conservation Coalition: countries against deep sea mining https://deep-sea-conservation.org/solutions/no-deep-sea-mining/momentum-for-a-moratorium/

Contacts:

Sol Gosetti, Media Coordinator for the Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign, Greenpeace International: sol.gosetti@greenpeace.org, +34 633 029 407

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org