My wish is that my children will grow healthy and strong

(by Mr. Shoji Takae (30) Futaba-cho, Fukushima Prefecture, at Shinsan Gymnasium Evacuation Center, in Nagaoka City)

I came to this evacuation center with my wife, a two year old son, and a son just born in January this year. We do not currently have any problem with rearing our children, but I am nervous about our future life, as I lost my job. But it’s no use just worrying about it. I would be satisfied when my children grow up in good health and I complete my job as a father. I would like them to grow up strong: strong enough to keep their smiles when they encounter the similar disaster ever again in the future.

Niigata Daily News, The voices of the evacuees in the prefecture, May 1, 2011
http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/subgenre/51/22521.html

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano