Three Years After ~ Sending Love and Hope for a Bright Future

“Unbelievable things are going on in broad daylight”

from blog “The Reality of Fukushima” by Momoko Fukuoka

People who have read my blog, after learning about the real situation of Fukushima, often said, “This is unbelievable! Japanese government and Toden (Tokyo Electric Co.) must be taking care of this. It has been 3 years. Why don’t they move to safe areas? They should be able to find jobs somewhere. What happened to all donations we sent? Aren’t they distributed to the victims of the earthquake? It is unthinkable that they still need foods and daily essentials!”

This is an understandable reaction for people with common senses. It has been 3 years after all! However, in reality, there are unbelievable things that are going on in broad daylight.

First, all the money came in went to the government (according to Japan Red Cross Society). The government distributed the money to municipal governments of cities, towns and villages, and instructed them to use it for infrastructure repairs and decontamination. None went to the victims of the disaster directly.  A few expressed the disappointment. They said, “We wanted even a little as an expression of sympathy. But there was nothing. It wasn’t the amount. We wanted the intention.”

Why don’t they move to the safe area? It is because there is no money for them to move. Before they settled down to temporary housings, they already had to move 7, 8 times. People affected by Fukushima nuclear reactor used to think that the government would create a safe place for them to move, for they may not go back to their home. The government would compensate for their lost homes. They could start their new life in a new home with their families and friends and rebuild new community…

However, the reality was so different. There was no compensation for their lost properties. There was no plan for their new homes. Families and communities were separated. Even young couples were separated to look for jobs. The victims of Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster have even lost the basic human rights because of the contamination. They lost everything: safe living condition, basic human needs (foods, clothes and shelters), family connections, education for children (schools & kindergartens), health (radiation), jobs, marriages, hopes for the future, bank savings, their properties… What left is the uncertainty of future, fear of illness, loss of hope and despair.

Even now, the government and Toden are sending people back to areas with unsafe radiation levels. Their goal is to “send the victims home.” They are spending enormous amount of money for decontaminations. 

Because their goal is to “decontaminate and send them home,” there is no housing construction for the disaster victims. There is no compensation for the lost properties. There is no support of moving expenses. Furthermore, for the people who live outside the 20km radius of affected area and areas that was revoked of refugee area status, their monthly compensations of 100,000 yen (about 1000 USD) from Toden were stopped. They have no income. In addition, they are asked to pay tax and they have to pay the medical expenses. The rent of housing is covered up to the third location, but after that they have to pay their own rent. Many that were affected by Fukushima nuclear plant disaster were famers and before the disaster there weren’t much food expenses. Now they have to pay for food.

People who lost the monthly compensations from Toden have lost the lifelines. The elderly who receives the government pension receive about 40,000 yen (about 400 USD) a month. After paying electricity, heat, gas and phone bills, there is nothing left. Even people over 70 years old are joining decontamination work. They say that is the only way to survive. After evacuating the radiation area, they are going back to expose to radiation. They will get 10,000 yen (about 100 USD) a day as a danger fee. They can only get physical once in every few months. They cannot even see the result themselves. They are just told, “The radiation is below the dangerous amount, so you are safe.” They are used to it now and the sense of danger is wearing thin.

“The Voices of Disaster Victims”

People who found the government’s reaction absurd say:

“Before spending money on the decontamination effort, they should invest on rebuilding the disaster victims lives. We are not looking for extra compensations. We just want to live like before. We want to live like ordinary people.”

“After many decontamination attempts, there are areas registering higher radiation levels. There is no infrastructure. No hospital. Not even a shop. The houses are infested by rats and there are wild boars roaming the town. How can we go back to the places like these.”

“There are places in South Soma city where nothing has done after the 3/11 disasters. Even at the temporary housing, the radiation is 0.3 μSv. However, they are saying that by April 2016, they will announce that all residents can return home. Outrageous.”

“The government contacted the disaster victims directly without going through the mayors of cities, towns and villages and said, “You can go back home from December 24^th to January 6^th at your own risks. I didn’t go back because I know the danger of radiations. But the others in my community went back.”

“Aren’t we the victims and is Toden responsible for the disaster? Why are our demands not accepted and do we have to accept the unreasonable demands of Toden?”

The elderly victims now say, “I want to die in my own home in my hometown.” Living in the small temporary housings is stressful and their patience is wearing thin. Without a long-term plan from the government, separated from their families, the elderlies feel lonely and they long for their homes. They wish the decontamination would progress faster, so they can go home as soon as possible.

The victims of Fukushima disaster are getting taciturn.

“We don’t want to think about the hardship. We don’t want remember the disaster. That is why we don't talk about the nuclear plant. We don’t want to talk about our recollections of disaster. There is no sense of hope, so we don’t want to talk about the future and compensations. Just thinking about it makes our hearts heavy. Please don’t talk to us about that.”

Even mentioning those issues will bring out dark painful silence and uncomfortable groan among them.

One leader of neighborhood community council said, “Before, we were bright with hope to rebuild our community. Now, everyone is looking down. They were healthy and hardworking people, but now they are sick and cannot even walk. They stopped talking. They became silent.”

The victims of Fukushima disasters also have to endure the cold stares. Because the media doesn’t report the reality of what is happening in Fukushima, there are vast misunderstandings among people: “Aren’t they receiving the money from the government and Toden?” “How long do they have to depend on the others?” “You are lazy.” “Find a job. (They don’t understand the fact there is no job to find)” “He is from Fukushima. (As if we are virus)”

Some young people say: “We may not be able to get married.” “We may not be able to have a child, because we are from Fukushima.”

“Please extend your understanding and compassion for the people of Fukushima”

Could you correctly understand the people of Fukushima? They have suffered and hurt. They witnessed too much sadness. And they are exhausted. Could you hold them with warmth and kindness? Could you give them a shoulder to cry on?

What they need now are people who understand them and friends who can take their hands and walk with them. Your loving kind gaze; your warm words and hands; that is what the people of Fukushima need right now. It becomes the hope for their lives.

If possible, please send us support. There may be people from Fukushima near you; in your neighborhood and in your community. Please help them. I wish from the depth of my heart that you can be an angel for those people.

Momoko Fukuoka

In affected areas in Fukushima, they are still in need of essential living supplies. I wish your kind support.  (Please donate goods that are new or in good condition.)

[Towels]

Bath Towels, Face Towels, Hand Towels, etc

[Bedding]

Futon Covers, Zabuton (sitting cushion), Blankets, Sheets, Warm Sheets (Fleece, etc)

[Clothes]

Clothes for elderly (Size L ~ 5L in Japanese sizes), Underwear, Socks

[Food Items]

Water, Rice, Spices, Vegetables, Fruits, Pre-packaged Foods, Dried Foods, Canned Foods, Green Tea, Snacks (please check the expiration dates)

Mochi (Japanese Rice Cake) (For Tohoku people, Mochi is very healing and energizing gift)

[Dispensable Items]

Toilet Paper, Tissue Paper, Pocket Tissue, Detergents, Shampoo, Conditioner, Saran Wrap, Garbage Bags, Instant Pocket Heater, Sanitary Masks, Female Sanitary Products, First Aid, Bug Spray, Rubber Gloves

[Stationaries]

Ball Point Pens, Pencils, Note Books, Memo Pads, File Folder, Post Cards, Letter Papers and Envelops, Postage Stamps

[Elderly and Infant]

Disposable Diapers, Adult Diapers, Pads for Urinary Incontinence

[Consumer Goods]

Sewing Machines, Irons, Ironing Boards, Humidifiers, Dehumidifiers, Fans, Electric Heaters, Futon Drier, Indoor Exercise Machines, Health Supplies, Medical Supplies, CD Players, DVD Players, Recreation Goods (Games, etc), Canes, Hobby Supplies (Knitting, Sewing, etc), Potable Bicycles, Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Flash Lights

[For Senior Group Home]

Rags [Old Towel, Old T-shirts, Old Sheets cut to 20cm x 20cm (about 8in x 8in)]

There are requests for the fund to run Temporary Housing Committees. 

I translated this blog with permission from the author, Momoko Fukuoka. After 3 years, the people who were affected by the earthquake in northern Japan are still suffering. They are losing hope.  Please read and send your love to those who are suffering, so they can hope for a bright future. With hope and love, we can overcome anything. We will send information soon about how to participate in fundraisers and send them support. 

~Gadu, Tao Sangha Madison