As a fisherman, I’d like to go back to the sea because that's where I belong

(by Mr. Isao Imai (63), Minami Soma City, at Shinsan Gymnasium, Nagaoka City)
I used to fish on the fishing boat, the Daijuhachi Yamatomaru at Uketo Port in Namie-cho, Fukushima Prefecture. My house is located within 20 kilometers radius from the nuclear power plant. The port suffered the terrible attack of the tsunami and the boat was washed away. I’m afraid that the fish must be contaminated by the radiation. As I have been out on the sea throughout my life, I’d like to go back there again soon. I have been patient with the current situation thinking that the sea is where I belong.

Niigata Nippo netpark, "Voices of Evacuees in the Prefecture," April 20, 2011
http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/pref/22074.html

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Disappointed by discrimination against those from Fukushima and feel like hiding I am from there

(by Kieko Takeda(57) from Minami Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture at a city gymnasium in Niigata Prefecture)
I heard that the people from Fukushima prefecture who evacuated to other areas are being bullied or discriminated against. I am so disappointed to hear that. Anybody could face the same situation as long as there are nuclear power plants throughout Japan. When I walk on the street, I feel like hiding the fact that I am from Fukushima.


Niigata Nippo netpark, "Voices of Evacuees in the Prefecture," April 20, 2011
http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/pref/22074.html

Translated by Takako Takata

Government asking not to discriminate against evacuees of nuclear power plant accidents

Japanese government sent out the message to citizens, local governments, and business corporations not to discriminate against those who evacuated from the area of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The news reported that those evacuees were asked to go through the screening for the radiation or present the proof that they were not exposed to the radiation at several evacuation centers and they were refused to make hotel reservations, and children were bullied by others. The government’s address came out because of the information received from the news.

The Minister of National Policy Unit, Mr. Koichiro Genba expressed at the conference that it was so regretful that some were treating those evacuees thoughtless and asked all the organizations and the business associations to guide the people concerned to be more considerate in order to prevent discrimination against them.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yukio Edano said, “The radiation would not spread among people like the infectious disease as a fact.” He condemned those discriminative acts as overreaction.

On April 19, it was reported that evacuees from Fukushima Prefecture were asked to present the proof of screening for radiation before admission to the evacuation center in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The city official explained that the evacuees needed to know if they were exposed to radiation or not and the city was trying to help the evacuees, but no explanation was made why it was necessary to present the proof. © AFP

4/19/2011 AFP

ttp://www.afpbb.com/article/disaster-accidents-crime/disaster/2796285/6964402?utm_source=afpbb&utm_medium=detail&utm_campaign=must_read


Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Japan Considers Banning Entry into Evacuation Zone .(by WSJ)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703922504576273930625967622.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond


Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

A Japanese defense soldier walks among tsunami devastation in the Taro area of Miyako, Iwate prefecture on April 19, 2011.

Met Opera Ready for Japan Tour This Summer (by WSJ)

http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/?mod=WSJ_Japan_JapanRealTime

Workers battle to remove radioactive water from troubled nuclear reactor (by Mainishi Shimbun)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110420p2a00m0na018000c.html


In this image released Saturday, April 16, 2011, by Tokyo Electric Power Co., top of the container of the nuclear reactor, painted in yellow, of Unit 4 at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant is observed from its side with a T-Hawk drone Friday, April 15, 2011 in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. (AP Photo/Tokyo Electric Power Co.)

Pressure on to speed up construction of temporary housing for evacuees

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/perspectives/news/20110420p2a00m0na005000c.html



In this April 12, 2011 file photo, a man walks a path between spaces divided by corrugated boxes for each family at the evacuation center at the Big Palette Fukushima sports arena in Koriyama, Japan, a month after an earthquake and tsunami struck Japan's northeastern coast. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae, File)

Man who escaped death in tsunami remembers wife's parting words of thanks (by Mainichi Shimbun)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110420p2a00m0na017000c.html


Masaru Kumakawa holds a treasured coin purse that his wife left to his daughter -- the only keepsake he has after a tsunami swept her away from him on March 11. (Mainichi)

Donations by TEPCO execs show close ties to Liberal Democratic Party (by Mainichi Shimbun)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110420p2a00m0na004000c.html



Tokyo Electric Power Co., (TEPCO) Chairman Tsunehisa Katsumata, right, speaks during a news conference at the company's head office in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye )