“Bureaucratic nonsense,” the residents object signature requirement for a brief visit to homes inside Japan's nuclear no-go zone.

The government asked the residents of the village of Kawauchi who had briefly returned to homes on May 10 to sign an agreement stating that they fully understand the risk of entering the no-go zone and they take personal responsibility for entering the area.

This signature requirement sparked off opposition from some residents and Village Mayor Yuko Endo criticized the government for its bureaucratic nonsense, saying that the residents would visit their home by agreement and no signature would be necessary.

Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Motohisa Ikeda, the head of the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency, explained to the press that the signature requirement had been meant to ensure the residents understand that they should act safely and responsibly in the no-go zone.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, May 11, 2011

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20110511-OYT1T00047.htm?from=main1

Translated by Mikiko Yamashita

Hometown I long to go back

(by Ms. Mitsu Shiotani (67), Minami Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, at Joetsu City)

A chorus group came to visit us and we sang “Furusato(Hometown)” and “New Soma Song” together. It was hard for me to be honest, because it reminded me of the hometown where I grew up and lived all my life. I do not have much complaint about the life at the evacuation center, but still there are things that we need to be patient with when living in a group setting. It is pitiful to watch many children trying to control themselves as they understand the situation though they are at the stage of being very active and high spirited and usually horsing around. I don’t know how much longer we must stay here. I really would like to go home.

Niigata Nippo, Voices of the evacuees in Niigata Prefecture ~ Victims of Great East Japan Earthquake Who Evacuated to Niigata Prefecture

http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/subgenre/51/

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Agony over the nuclear power plant accident

(by Mr. Mitsuaki Watanabe (58), Naraha-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, at Niigata City)

Due to the accident at the nuclear power plant, the family grave of generations was torn, and so were the family ties that we lived close together. My hometown is now polluted and I will never be able to go back. We never know when the earthquake will occur. In order not to repeat the accidents in Fukushima, it is better to stop the operation at Hamaoka Nuclear Power Plant until the safety is confirmed. I decided to live in Niigata City, and I signed an apartment contract. I am moving there from this evacuation center sometime this month. I am starting over at the new place.

Niigata Nippo, Voices of the evacuees in Niigata Prefecture ~ Victims of Great East Japan Earthquake Who Evacuated to Niigata Prefecture 

http://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/news/subgenre/51/

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Japan Scraps Plan for New Nuclear Plants (by NYT)

Evacuees cleaned their house during a brief visit that was their first time since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami located near Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on Tuesday.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/world/asia/11japan.html?_r=1&ref=world