Fishing for young launce has ended for this season without resumption – Ibaraki

The headquarters for the earthquake disaster countermeasure of prefectural fishery organized by fisheries and marine products agency of Ibaraki Prefecture decided to end the fishing for young launce for this season on April 30, 2011.  On April 29, 2011, radioactive materials exceeding the temporary limit were detected in young launce caught off North Ibaraki City, and they cannot expect to resume the fishing for a prolonged time.

According to Ibaraki Prefecture Coastal Region Fishermen’s Union League, young launce fishing season is from March to June, and they go off to the sea of the northern prefecture through the central prefecture. They had a catch worth 200 million yen last year. Most of the fishermen were hit by the disaster during their preparation and could hardly go out fishing. They are going to demand the compensation to TEPCO for the loss due to the cancellation of the fishing.

Ibaraki Prefecture also announced on April 30 that young launce caught off North Ibaraki City on 29th had been found to contain 1,374becquerels of radioactive cesium per kilogram, and one off Takahagi City, 505becqurels: both were above the regulatory value of 500becquerels.

MSN Sankei News, April 30, 2011 

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/news/110430/dst11043018300021-n1.htm

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

The financial concern: dubious of TEPCO’s compensation payment

(by Mr. Kiyoshi Chiba (63) Minami Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, at Housing for employment promotion in Ogata, in  Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture)

Tokyo Electric Power Company said that they would pay for the compensation, but we have not received it at all even after a month and a half. I became dubious of their promise of payment. I used to be a cab driver in Minami Soma City, but the company is being closed for now, and I am insecure without any income.

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

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

No more comfortable life at the old age that I was looking forward to

(by Ms. Toyoko Kashiwa (57) Minamisoma-City, Fukushima Prefecture, at Niigata City Gymnasium Evacuation Center)

My house suffered only minor damage that the kitchen cabinet was toppled, but due to the accidents at the nuclear power plant, my life was uprooted and we have to live in this shelter. We built a new house and a retirement life of elegant ease was waiting for us, but regretfully it’s all gone. I feel agony and emptiness, but cannot complain when thinking about those who work strenuously even at the plant at the risk of their own lives.

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

Eagerly waiting for the restoration of water supply

(by Mr. Shinichi Kondo (62), Fisherman, Matsuzaki-cho, Ofunato City)

This tsunami gushed in quite fast, and it was completely different from the one caused by Chilean earthquake years ago. I evacuated onto the railroad, and rescued three people from the second floor of the house floating nearby. My house was flooded above the floor level, but as soon as the electricity was restored, I came back. I hope that the water supply will be restored soon.

Iwate Daily News, Tsugaru Tendeko ~ Messages from the disaster hit areas, May 2, 2011
http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/tendenko.html

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

So many worries about the future

(by Ms. Kazuko Moriai (56), at Tsugaruishi Junior High School Gymnasium Evacuation Center)
My house was washed away and I have lost many valuable things. I am totally at a loss when thinking about the future. There are many worries about where to live and where to work. I am hoping to find my missing nephew in Otsuchi soon.


Iwate Daily News, Tsugaru Tendeko ~ Messages from the disaster hit areas, May 1, 2011
http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/tendenko.html

Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Foreign students return to Japan to help out (by Mainichi Shimbun)

Juan Felipe Torres Alvarez, a doctoral student from Colombia, carries relief materials in Sendai's Miyagino Ward. (Kim Soonhi)


http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201105010116.html

Nuclear accident a chance to reconsider national nuclear policy, says Bikini Atoll survivor (by Mainichi Shimbun)

In this March 20, 2011 aerial file photo taken by a small unmanned drone and released by Air Photo Service, the crippled Fukushima No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant is seen in Okumamachi, Fukushima prefecture. From top to bottom: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 and Unit 4. (AP Photo/Air Photo Service)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110502p2a00m0na018000c.html

U.S. medical group blasts Tokyo radiation policy on Fukushima children (by Mainicshi Shimbun)

Farmer Sumiko Matsuno, left, and her freind, bag carrots on her farm to eat as she fears no one will buy them with the current radiation fallout, Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Fukushima, Fukushima prefecture, (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110502p2g00m0dm066000c.html

Refugee from Myanmar gives back to Japan (by Mainishi Shimbun)

Foreign volunteers help clear mud from a shopping street in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 14. (Mainichi)

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/