Japanese Workers Braved Radiation for a Temp Job (by NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/world/asia/10workers.html?src=recg

Current and former workers at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, above, describe hazardous conditions and lax safety practices.

City, Destroyed and Yet Hopeful, Begins to Move On (by NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/11/world/asia/11grief.html?ref=asia

Naomi Matsuura, left, and Shizuko Hoshi combed debris last week in Minamisoma, Japan, where Ms. Matsurra's home was before the tsunami washed it away on March 11.

Strong Aftershock as Japan Urges More Evacuations (by NYT)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/world/asia/12japan.html?_r=1&hp

Cars destroyed in Iwate Prefecture by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. A search went on for bodies in Iwate on Sunday.

As long as there are people who need us, we'd continue providing healthcare here

Doctors of Onagawa Town Hospital saw off a helicopter carrying doctors who belong to the Japan Association for Development of Community Medicine,  leaving the hospital and heading back for Kanto area.  Mitsuru Saito, director of the hospital, said “we cried when we saw off the first few groups.  When health care is not available nearby, people are forced to move to somewhere else.  As long as there are people left here at our hospital, we need to continue providing health care services to them.”  Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture 



Daily Sports Newspaper, "Photo Gallery," April 6, 2011
http://photos.nikkansports.com/general/genki/archives/20110406_14278.html


Translated by Takako Takata

The family rice fields of our pride devastated and it might take 100 years to restore

(by Mr. Tetsuo Tadano, evacuee from Isobe area, at General Welfare Center in Souma City, Fukushima Prefecture)
I was searching for the memorial tablets for my late wife and father. I wish I could find any memorabilia, but none. I am a rice farmer. There are about fifty rice farming families in this area, and this is the northern limit of Koshihikari (very famous brand of rice). The family rice fields that we cultivated and took great care for years are now covered with debris and cars. They do not look any good for growing rice; saltwater is still standing in the fields, too. I would say it must take a hundred years for the restoration because of the nuclear plants accidents. 

Victims’ Voice aired on NHK, April 7, 2011
Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

Lost my home and my parents; everything is scattered

(Mr. Yuji Imamura, evacuee from Isobe area, at General Welfare Center in Souma City, Fukushima Prefecture)
I lost my home and my parents to the tsunami. I came here with a hope to find some photo albums, but could not find any.
Q) Have you been here many times?
I came here several times, but everything is scattered and I cannot find anything. 


Victims’ Voice aired on NHK, April 7, 2011
Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano

The fifth generation of pear farmer despaired by the rumor damage due to the nuclear plants accidents

( by Mr. Shoichi Yokoyama, evacuee from Isobe area, at General Welfare Center in Souma City, Fukushima Prefecture)
I am the fifth generation of pear farmer. The orchard is on the hill, so it remained as it was. I could start to grow even tomorrow. Even we could get crops and passed the radiation check, but rumor damage would be enormous.


Q) During the past fifty years, have you tried various methods to improve in growing pears?
We were practicing eco farming, and using very little agricultural chemicals. We established excellent reputation, but everything is ruined. I have got a successor, but ….


Q) What did your son say?
He encouraged me to try together. Oh, I just hope they could end the problems at the nuclear plants. That’s my only wish for now. 


Victims’ Voice aired on NHK, April 7, 2011
Translated by Makiko Tajima Asano