As the Bulletin continues to publish erudite analysis and opinion pieces from the world's top experts, these writings will be archived here to create a valuable resource for our readers.
Releasing information about the status of the nuclear plants, the extent of the damage, and the risks of further radioactive emissions can serve to dampen negative commentary and worst-case speculation.
The authors outline reasons that it is possible that it will take an accident more serious than Three Mile Island to overcome the inertia that is holding back further development of containment improvements.
No prediction can be made today for Japan, but it is safe to project a sharply increased probability for a major earthquake on the broad, simple subduction-zone segments both north and south of the Tohoku rupture zone.
A combination of safer nuclear plants and much greater use of renewable energy could position Japan as a global leader in shifting toward a sustainable pathway with renewable sources.
After Three Mile Island, the US failed to reform the Nuclear Regulatory Commission or force improved containment designs. The tragedy in Japan is a chance not to make the same mistake twice.
In the wake of Fukushima, it may be time to broaden the scope of the Seoul 2012 Nuclear Security Summit to include safety issues as well as security.