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The demonstrators also said they were offended by a parliamentary investigation that blamed Japanese culture for the Fukushima disaster. The report, released earlier this month, said, "Its fundamental causes are to be found in the ingrained conventions of Japanese culture
-- our reflexive obedience, our reluctance to question authority, our devotion to
'sticking with the program,' our groupism and our insularity." Midori Tanaka, a schoolteacher marching at the park, said the right people should face up to their mistakes. "Things can never change if we blame culture. We need to get to the bottom of this," she said. Oe said blaming culture was a cop-out, adding that individuals -- including the president of Tokyo Electric Power Co., the utility that operates Fukushima Dai-ichi
-- should be held responsible. Addressing the rally from a stage, Sakamoto said it was ridiculous to risk people's lives for electricity. "Life is more important than money," he said in Japanese, then added in English, "Keeping silent after Fukushima is barbaric."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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