Real Voices of Japan Earthquake: 03/29/11

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A seaman's life is on the sea, though everything was gone

(By Mr. Koji Akiyama, an evacuee at the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu-district, Ishinomaki-Chity, Miyagi Pref.)
I am dumbfounded. There is nothing left. I shed tears actually. After all, most of the people in this area are fishermen; therefore only hobby they enjoy after their retirement is fishing or going offshore in the fishing boat. A seaman’s life is on the sea.

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The photo on the bottom on the site is Mr. Akiyama.

“It’s All Over!” Fukushima Farmer Commits Suicide After Government Bans Produce Consumption (Article by Asahi Shimbun)

On the morning of March 24, in Sukagawa City, Fukushima Prefecture, a 64 year-old farmer hung himself in is own home. Just one day after the Japanese government announced a ban on the consumption of all produce grown in parts of Fukushima Prefecture due to the continuing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power facility.

While discouraged by damage wrought by the quake and tsunami, the man was left utterly distraught by the thought of not being able to harvest the cabbage in his fields. The deceased man’s family says they now must live with the fear of “being killed by nuclear power.”

The quake damaged the farm’s main building and barn, however, some 7,500 heads of cabbage, unscathed by the disaster, were ready to be harvested and sent to market. Even after the government banned spinach, bereaved relatives recall that the farmer remained hopeful, saying, “Depending on how things go, I’ll start harvesting the cabbage.” In preparation, the farmer had already set about repairing the damaged barn.

However, on March 23, upon hearing of the government ban on cabbage, the farmer is reported to have appeared distressed, repeatedly mumbling “It’s all over for Fukushima produce.” The man’s eldest son (35) recalls his father’s mumbling voice: “He probably felt like he just lost everything he had ever worked for during his life.”

The farmer had turned to organic farming some 30 years ago. It took him about ten years to perfect his own special combination of seeding, mulch and soil. He succeeded in growing high-quality produce unprecedented in the region. Very popular with the agricultural association, his cabbage was selected for local elementary school meal programs. Locals say he took pride in growing safe produce: “Food for children demands extra care.”

No formal will was found. The last entry in the farm’s journal is dated March 23. The man’s eldest daughter (41) said, “We have no idea how long this situation will continue. What will become of us? I think everyone involved in agriculture is worried. I pray there will be no more victims like my father.”

(Translation of the article posted on asahi.com on March 29, 2011. http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0328/TKY201103280468.html)

Photos from the disaster area (by Asahi Shimbun)

http://www.asahi.com/photonews/gallery/110317eq-1/

Teaching Karate to let kids have some fun

(By Mr. Masayuki Itoh, an evacuee at the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu-district, Ishinomaki-Chity, Miyagi Pref.)

I am teaching Taido, the basic of Karate, to the children in order to save them from boredom and let them have fun.

(To the teacher of Taido Association)

Although I was hit by the disaster, I am fine. Please support us as I try my best with the firm philosophy of Taido that teaches us the contribution to the society.

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The second photo from the bottom on the site is Mr. Itoh.

Back in business to serve the community without any thought of making profit

an evacuee at the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu, Ishinomaki-City, Miyagi Pref.) I’ve resumed my business at the gas station by using manual pumping system. I provide the gas to the emergency vehicle only because there is not enough gas for everyone. I am not thinking about the profit at all. I have been doing this business for so long in this community. It is unforgivable to sell the gas at higher price according to the demand under this circumstances. I cannot even think about it.

(By Mr. Yoshikatsu Ito,

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The fourth photo from the top on the site is Mr. Ito.

Cannot sit back and depressed, beach will come alive again

(By Mr. Susumu Ito, an evacuee at the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu, Ishinomaki-City, Miyagi Pref.)
I’d like the clean-up operation to start as soon as possible at the sea. Also the investigation of the seabed needs immediate attention to bring back the vigorous ocean life. I’d like to start fishing even tomorrow! The beach will come alive, I’m sure. This area is a treasure-trove for marine products. We need to restore the energy and the vigor of the coastal area so that we can pass it on to the younger generations. I cannot just sit back and feel depressed.

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The third photo from the top on the site is Mr. Ito.

Overwhelmed as a nurse at evacuation center, unable to take care of her own family

(By Ms. Kazumi Kondo, nurse at an evacuation site, the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu, Ishinomaki-City, Miyagi Pref.)

I am overseeing about 250 people at this evacuation center as a nurse. It is overwhelming and I cannot give enough attention to my own family. I have three children, but left them at my brother’s.

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The second photo from the top on the site is Ms. Kondo.

Picked up foodstuff washed ashore until relief supply arrived

(By Ms. Katsuko Akiyama, an evacuee at the Mizuhama Nursery School, Ogatsu, Ishinomaki-City, Miyagi Pref.)

We picked up the foodstuff washed ashore and shared them with everyone until the relief supplies got here. Scallops are special products in this area and were plentiful. The young people go to the sea and catch them; you might say that it is luxury, but they saved us. We appreciated and enjoyed them.

From NHK website "Those Affected by the Disaster: What I want to tell you now" on March 28, 2011

(http://www.nhk.or.jp/dengon/photo/index21.html）

The top photo on the site is Ms. Akiyama.