Japan’s fast breeder reactor “Monju” was not abandoned due to technological failure, but because of lies and excessive media coverage.
This essay examines how political incompetence and Asahi Shimbun’s reporting crushed Japan’s most advanced nuclear technology.

October 1, 2016
The following continues from the previous chapter.
Emphasis in the text is mine.
The fast breeder reactor Monju, once called a dream reactor, was effectively decommissioned.
This project, too, began with the world starting simultaneously, and Japan reached initial criticality in 1994.
Russia followed as the second, beginning operation only recently.
This shows how far ahead Japan was, but shortly after operations began, a problem occurred in which cooling sodium leaked.
Unlike light-water reactors, a coolant leak of this kind is comparable to spilling a cup of coffee.
The timing, however, was unfortunate.
It was the era when Tomiichi Murayama was prime minister, and Asahi Shimbun behaved as if it were the Chief Cabinet Secretary.
They hounded the issue relentlessly, even driving people to suicide.
Japan’s most advanced technology was, on that day, condemned to decommissioning through lies and excessive reporting.
The crushing of Japan’s intellect was not limited to the Patent Office.
An even more foolish newspaper had joined in.
So what should be done next?
Asahi suggests modest joint development with second-rate France.
Is second place acceptable?
Are you Renho, or what?