Watanabe Megu's speech in 2017:

"I heard there were a lot of informations about the danger of radiation. But those news were not reported by Japanese media."

When I was nine years old, six years ago, I experienced an earthquake. It happened at March 11th, and it was a nice day for me because it was sunny and Friday. I was going back home with excitement. On  the my way home, I met my mother by sheer accident and get into the car.

 

As soon as I got into the car, something alarm began to ring. I had never heard the sound and it was unusual. There was no time to check the cellphone, and then the car began to shake violently. The fence fell down with a tumbling of the ground and the tiles fell down like rain. The sky got dark in a  moment and the snowstorm started. Then I remembered a movie I had watched and I felt the end of this world and realized we human can not be no match for the power of nature.

 

A few days later, a nuclear power plant accident was happened and our lives had changed. I heard there were a lot of informations about the danger of radiation. But those news were not reported by Japanese media. Then I didn't  know what is radiation and how it would influence our health, but I was aware that radiation is dangerous.

 

Also, I felt I have to look for information myself, if I don’t do that I could not get necessary informations to live. Because we couldn’t get right information about that, most of people in Fukushima could be in danger. Why those situation had happened?

 

I have been having distrust in Japanese government and medias since then. Not only media but also civil servants. They did’t refer to radiations, however there was a time limit for outdoor activities. Also they said “local food production and consumption is important” and the local crops were severed for school meal. Of course, the crops were exposed to radiation, so my mother was worried about that and made me boxed lunch every day, so I ate that instead of school meal. However, to do different things from around is conspicuous and hated by my homeroom teacher. I got an unreasonable feeling.

 

Six years has passed since then. The refugees who lived near by the sea begin to go back their hometown now, and other prefectures started to run the nuclear power generation. I think those make us to forget nuclear power accident. What can I do as a student in Fukushima to stop them? It is to learn about the accident and remember the fear of earthquake and send out them again. I would like to do this.

 

The earthquake bring us big damages, but I had great experiences that I could not have in my daily life. When I was 10 years old’s summer vacation, I took refuge from Fukushima to Italy for 40 days. Every vacation, I looked for shelter and go there. I  was under cared by many people, I thank them very much. I had become homesick many times, but I felt warmth of them, my mental got strength.

 

And now I would like to learn about overseas, see Japan from outside, and go abroad to study. The people who I met after the earthquake changed my sense of values. I will go abroad to study in Germany from this September. I am a really lucky girl because before leave Japan, I can join this program. In this program, I want to think and learn about renewable energy and coexistence of our present lives. Especially in biomass energy.

 

There is town famous as popular of the energy in Japan. But the town is famous as a smelly town, too. It is unfortunately for residents there. To use renewable energy is very good, but if our present lives get unfortunately because of them, it is like putting the cart before the horse. It is very difficult and important problem for our future. So I would like to think good way for both of now and future.

 

Now I do not have dream. I want to work abroad, but I have not decided concrete occupation. So I want to look for it during my stay in Germany. Thank you.

 

Postscriptum (21. January 2020) : Two and a half years have past since Watanabe Megu, now 18 years old, wrote this speech to held on severel occasians during her trip with NPO EarthWalkers through Germany. Later that year of 2017 she went to Germany for a year and developed her plans about what she wants to do in future. After finishing school next year she wants to study Gender Studies or something related in Germany. 

 

Atsumi Ai: "Even at school they do not teach us the truth, but I have decided to protect myself since I became sick."

 

Atsumi Ai (foto from Aug. 2016 during a stay at juwi company in Wörrstadt, interviewed by a TV-team from SWR) came to Germany with the NPO EarthWalkers in 2016 along with its Senior Highschool Exchance Programm to study about energy shift in Germany, about renewable energy, about history, beside others. Her mother Ozeki Miki and Ai had  moved from Fukushima Prefecture two years after "3.11" to Himeji area. Ai wrote her story in 2016. Her mother's experiences - printed also on this website (https://www.andreas-singler.de/fukushima-福島/stimmen-der-mütter-母達の声/) - are published in the last chapter of my book "Sayonara Atomkraft. Proteste in Japan nach 'Fukushima'" (EBVerlag Berlin 2018). 

 

Hello.

I’m Ai Atsumi. I’m from Hyogo prefecture in Japan. I moved to Fukushima prefecture to Hyogo prefecture when I was 14 years old, because we felt worried about the Nuclear accident, so we decided to move to Hyogo Prefecture. I’m 16 years old now. It’s been since 3 years since I moved. I can’t believe it’s already been 3 years. It’s been 5 years since the great earthquake in the east of Japan. I live in Hyogo Prefecture now, so I won’t speak about the current state of Fukushima Prefecture, but I’m going to speak about my experience.

I’ll now talk about my experience 3/11/2011.

I was 11 years old. In a blink of an eye, my hometown had been hit by a major earthquake. When the earthquake occurred, I was still so young so I didn’t fully understand the effects of the earthquake. However, I gradually began to understand the terror of radioactivity which was a result of the meltdown of the nuclear power station. Just after the earthquake had occurred, I was told that even at school. I had to wear long sleeves, long pants, a hat and a mask.
Even during summer, when it was hotter than 30 degrees, we had to wear long sleeves and pants. Also we were refrained from doing the pool activities, instead we had to stay inside, even if I was looking forward to it. There were even rules about a particular time we were allowed to go outside everyday, but as time passed this caution was neglected.

Opinions regarding radioactivity varies from person to person, both in the adult world and the children world’s. There were families who worried about the radioactivity and those who didn’t. Even if the opinions are differed from person to person that is okay, but if someone is no longer going to get along with others became a difference in opinion. I think that is wrong, because of the radiation, I felt as if the communities’ relationship became stronger. 

My mother protected me from the radioactivity, even till this day. Even at school they do not teach us the truth, but I have decided to protect myself since I became sick. I had a nosebleed and diarrhea all the time. Because of this, my mother sent me to my grandmother’s home to live. My grandmother lives in Fukushima Prefecture, however, her place is safer to live because of the lower concentration of radiation. I made many friends at the new place. Every day seemed to be a happy day, but we didn’t talk about the radiation at all, but one day, I told my friend that I was exposed to radiation when I was 11 years old.

Then I felt that she didn’t understand what I was talking about and that our friendship began to estranged. Since then I decided not to talk about radiation to my friends. I see her occasionally, but I don’t talk to them about it at all. Even though people say the level of radiation is low in my grandmother’s place, she still lives in Fukushima. So we made up my mind to move out from Fukushima Prefecture. We went to Hyogo Prefecture for the long holiday.

I have some friends there, so we decided to live in Hyogo Prefecture. I go to Democratic school now. This is why I felt that public education didn’t suit my style of education. I’m very happy now. I’m satisfied how each day goes.This is what I have experienced so far but I’m still experiencing new things. It is fact that I’m from Fukushima Prefecture, but sometimes I feel ashamed of this. Sometimes I think what I would do, if someone says “Don’t go close to her because she was exposed to radiation”.

Why do I have to feel this uneasiness? Why does the government not doing anything to help? Even if the government does something, this isn’t put into action. It is very sad. Because I feel, as if the actions of the government had been properly put into action, I wouldn’t feel as if I have been thrown out from my own country.

After the earthquake my mother and father divorced, because their opinions differed about the radiation. I felt as if my family was broken. I felt extremely emotionally and mentally weak.I never want anyone to feel this kind of sadness again.
This is why I talked about my experience today, so that you could understand what is going on in Japan now.
My experience is only one out of many thousands, but please don’t forget my story because it reflects a part of our reality.

 

Mafune Hinako (16): “The next day, my mother said, ‘Hey Hinako, let’s go’”

Hello, everyone. My name is Hinako Mafune, and I am 16 years old. My hobby is watching movies. My favourite musician is Japanese band of “supercar ” maybe nobody knows. And I like eating and sleeping. So in Germany I want to enjoy delicious German food, eat heartily, and sleep happily with a full stomach.

I come from Sukagawa-City in Fukushima prefecture, but now I live in Matsumoto-City in Nagano prefecture. It is 300 km away from the Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Let me tell you about the state of evacuees from Fukushima in Matsumoto-City and in the entire Nagano prefecture.

According to the record in May, 2018, it is said that 47 families, or a total of 146 evacuees, from Fukushima live in Matsumoto-City. In the entire Nagano prefecture, there are 635 evacuees from Fukushima. In addition, in Japan, there are 33,791 evacuees from Fukushima at the moment. The highest number of evacuees was recorded in March 2012, with more than 62,000 people reported to have evacuated from Fukushima

Now, l would like to share my experiences when the earthquake happened from 2011 to today. Back then,

I was a third-grader at an elementary school and lived in Sukagawa-City in Fukushima prefecture. It is located about 60 km from the Daiichi nuclear power plant. I was in the classroom, and everyone was standing at their desks to do a formal greeting to end the day. Suddenly, the classroom began to shake violently. I was very surprised and could not move. I went under my desk by the voice of my teacher. First, l felt exciting because it’s like an attraction at an amusement park. But l gradually became terrified. I hoped “stop it, stop it.” When the earthquake subsided, we went out from the school building to the school ground, and waited for families to come to school.  Shortly after, my mother came to pick me up. I felt safe but my mother had a stern expression on her face. I heard that our house hadn’t had much damages. I thought life would go on as normal, and I felt relieved.

However, three days later on March 14th, there was an accident at the Daiichi nuclear power plant. By watching the picture of the accident on TV, even as a child, I felt that it was a serious problem. The next day, my mother said, “Hey Hinako, let’s go”. I felt happy. Because l thought l could go shopping with my mother.  

I left my hometown with my mother and we went to Nagoya city and then moved to Eniwa city . These cities are 100s km away from Fukushima. And we evacuated there for about three years.  

At the time, I was very confused, even though my mother decided to move to protect me from radioactive substances. Our lives as voluntary evacuees were challenging. The situation gradually became worse mentally and financially. Before entering junior high school, I remember discussing many times with my mother whether we could return to Fukushima, or continue our evacuation life. However, it seemed that neither I nor my mother had the energy to continue.

One day, my mother had told me about a new project named, “Matsumoto Kodomo Ryugaku”. This is the project for Fukushima children, who lives in together in dormitory . We are living a part from our own family. But the project members support us very well.  

Then my mother said to me. “Hey, Hinako, your body is precious. Because you haven’t been exposed almost. So if you go back to Fukushima and be exposed, l will feel sad”. What my mother said made my decision to live a part from my family.

But My life in Matsumoto was so hard. So I called my mother many times. I said “l want to go back to Fukushima.” But my mother only nodded, and never said “if you want, you can go back”. I noticed she was so sad, too.    

Gradually, my life became good, now go to a high school in Matsumoto-City from the house. I thank my mother so much.  

Someday, I want to help out children who might be exposed to radiation, not only for families living in Fukushima, but also for those living in east parts of Japan. In our dormitory, we are accepting some children from Fukushima and its neighbour prefectures. I think it is important for those participants to spend time feeling refreshed, and not worry about risks of exposure to radioactive substances. I felt that it is important to continue such activities. Therefore, I want to help out with such projects in the future.

Thank you for listening to my experience.

(This is the original text of a speech Mafune Hinako, age 16, held during a travel in August 2018 through Germany with the NPO EarthWalkers, written by Hinako in English)

Mafune Hinako (4th. from left) and her friends from NPO EarthWalkers in August 2018 on study tour in Germany ("Telling about Fukushima, studying renewable energy" 福島を伝え、再生エネを学ぶ). Visiting juwi company in Wörrstadt near Mainz.


Itô Miyu 伊藤光雪 (*2002), Fukushima-City: "Please see Fukushima with your own eyes" (福島をあなたの目で見てください)

About my experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　私の東日本大震災の経験について

 

 

At the time of the 2011 Tôhoku earthquake, I was staying at my friend's house.  It was the last day of the third semester. I had finished the third grade at that day.

 

As I was watching TV with my friend and my sister, the ground began to shake. My friend and my sister ran under the table quickly. I took friend’s brother’s hand and hid under the table, too. I could see the situation from a gap in the table. My mother opened the window. Her fishbowl fell. The bowl and the fish inside bounced around on the floor. The ground was shaking for a long time. Everyone’s face looked so scared. I couldn't understand what was happening to me. It felt like something out of a story. I couldn't believe it was real, and this made me tremble.

 

My house was in ruins. The wall had many cracks. Picture frames and decorations were scattered. Everything had fallen over. My favorite books, the picture I took with my family, my note books and textbooks. Everything was broken. A lot of fish died on my books. Little fish, big fish, all of them died. I thought to myself is this actually my house? Is this my room? Did we live here? I couldn’t believe it. And I couldn't understand the situation yet.

 

For a while, my family and I had to stay in my grandmother’s house. My grandmother’s house still had electricity and water, so we could see what was on TV. The phone rang many times. We hid under the table every time there were aftershocks. On the news program, the newscaster was talking with a tense face. They were playing videos of what happened, and that was the first time I saw a video of the tsunami. Many houses, towns, and harbors were swallowed by the tsunami. Everything was destroyed. Everything disappeared. Memories and lives were stolen. In the videos, people were crying and shouting. ”Please return my hometown to me!”, “my house is being washed away!”,  “Where is my son!”, “Hurry up! We must escape to a high place!”. The newscaster told us how many people died during this disaster. And that’s when I understood the situation. A lot of people died and the town was destroyed. A terrible thing had happened.

 

I felt a deep fear inside my heart. I cried. I thought “I don’t want to die. I want to live”. I faced death at only nine years old.

I didn't know a lot about radiation, but I thought it was like a dangerous poison. I thought that even if I put just a little bit in my body, it would kill me. We couldn't drink water because it was polluted by radiation.

 

After a long time, I returned to my house. I cleaned my room. I buried dead fish in the ground. The books that got wet from the fish are still being stored today. I can't say when the great east Japan earthquake exactly finished. I actually don’t think it’s over even now. Many people still can't live in their hometown, and agriculture is still suffering from its damaged reputation. We can't forget this happened. I still can't watch videos of the earthquake and tsunami without breaking down in tears.  This incident left a big wound in us. I’ll never forget it.  Neither will the other people who experienced this tragedy.  I think victims have a duty to tell many people about their experiences in order to protect peace in the future and not let the memory of this event fade. I believe this is our role. Please don't forget this happened. Please don't forget us. And please share this problem with many people. I think this is a powerful way to protect the lives of many people and help prevent further tragedy from future earthquakes.

 

Through these six years

 

The first day back at school after the event, my classmates and I had to make some promises.  First, we wouldn’t play in the schoolyard. Second, we would put masks on when going outside. Third, we would wear long-sleeved clothing outside. We kept those promises for a while, but after just one year passed, they were forgotten. Our lives were almost back to normal.

 

One day for a field trip, I visited a harbour in Fukushima. I was shocked as I emerged from the bus. There were almost no houses or buildings. The high ground was neat and flat, but there were still only a few houses there. It seemed like nobody had moved back into their homes here. Certainly, it would be difficult for people to return, especially for young people who are afraid of the radiation.

 

 

When I visited temporary housing where victims lived, I heard stories from the people living there. One woman said, ”My house and town washed away. My family has fallen apart because of radiation. Many volunteers helped me. Everybody liked to sing the song for our hometown. The song says: “Fish filled the rivers and rabbits ran wild, I carry these memories wherever I may roam.” But I couldn't sing that song. Because these memories disappeared in an instant. Rivers, people, my hometown. I lost everything in a flash. The first three years were hard for me. I couldn't talk to anyone. I was just sad. But now, I think I must tell my experience to many people. And I am very grateful for all the people who helped me.”

 

I felt tears come to my eyes as she shared her story. That must have been so difficult for her. But now she is looking toward the future. I thought I must do the same.

 

Radiation took a huge toll on us. More cases of thyroid cancer in children and young people had been found recently, and many people still can't return to their hometown. Sometime People call us “Dirty”. When people hear the name “Fukushima” they make a sour face. When I search Fukushima on the internet, I see “Fukushima is dirty. Fukushima is dangerous. Fukushima is terrible.” I want to ask the people who wrote these things “What do you know about Fukushima? Did you see Fukushima with your own eyes?” I can't say what is the truth, and I think everyone doesn't know the truth. Nobody can predict the future. Maybe more number of people or I could have thyroid cancer. Or maybe radiation couldn't decrease.

 

And in the future, maybe more tragedies could happen.

But please don't discriminate against us. Please don't call us “Dirty”. Because we are recovering.

 

Many people not only from Fukushima are trying their best to make better Fukushima. They are struggling against radiation. Please don't see only bad point of us.

 

Please see the truth of us. I want you to say one thing - please lend your hand for us. I believe we can make a great future of Fukushima. We can make it.

 

And young people must do it. So please visit Fukushima and see it with your own eyes. Please think with me what we can do to help. Let's make a better Fukushima together.    

 

その時、私は友達の家にいた。その日は三学期の最後の日だった。その日、小学三年生が終わったところだった。

 

地面が揺れ始めた時、私はテレビを友達と姉と見ていた。友達と姉はすぐに机の下へ逃げた。私も友達の弟の手を掴んで、机の下へ隠れた。机の隙間からあおの状態が見えた。母が窓を開けた。金魚鉢が落ちて、床に跳ねて、魚たちも床で跳ねた。地面はまだ揺れていた。長い時間地面が揺れた。みんな怖がっていた。しかし私は何が起こってるのか理解できなかった。まるで、なにか、物語の中にいるように思えた。それが現実だと信じられなかった。だから私は少しワクワクしていた。

 

 私の家もひどく壊れていた。壁に多くのひびが入っていた。写真たてと飾り物が散らばって壊れた。全てが落ちていた。私の好きな本、家族と一緒に撮った写真、ノートや教科書。全てが壊されていた。多くの魚が私の本の上で死んだ。小さな魚、大きな魚、みんな死んだ。ここは本当に私の家なのかここは私の部屋なのかここに私たちは住んでいたのか信じられなかった。そして私はまだ自分の状況を理解できていなかった。

 

私はしばらくの間、祖母の家に家族と住んだ。その家では電気と水が使えたから、私たちはテレビが見えた。なんども電話のベルがなって、余震が起こるたびに私たちは机の下に隠れた。私はニュース番組を見た。ニュースキャスターは緊迫した顔つきで話していた。震災の映像が流れた。そこで私は初めて津波の映像をみた。多くの家が、町が、港が津波に飲み込まれていた。全てが破壊されていた。思い出と生活が盗まれた。人々が泣き叫んでいた。私に故郷を返して家が流されてってる息子はどこなのまだ会えてないわ急げもっと高いところに行かなきゃやばいぞニュースキャスターは震災で何人亡くなったかいった。そして私はその瞬間自分の状況が理解できた。多くの人が死んで、町が壊されたんだ。大変なことが起こったんだ。

 

 私はその時、心の底から恐怖を感じた。私は泣いた。死にたくないと思った。生きたいと思った。私はたった9歳で、死の恐怖に直面した。

そして私は放射線についても何も知らなかった。しかし、私はそれは何か、危険な毒だと思っていた。もし少しでも体に入れたら、殺されると思った。そして水も放射線で飲めなくなった。

 

しばらくして、私は家に帰った。私は部屋を綺麗にした。そして、死んだ魚を土に埋めた。魚で濡れた本は今でも私の元にとってある。私はいつ東日本大震災が終わったのかわからない。けど、それはまだ終わっていないと思う。まだ故郷に帰れてない人々もいるし、未だに風評被害を受けるからだ。そして、私たちはこの出来事を忘れることができないからだ。私は六年たった今でも、震災や津波の映像を見ることができない。見ている間に涙が流れてくる。それほど震災は私たちに大きな傷を残した。私は絶対にこの出来事を忘れない。それは私だけじゃない。被害者全てがそうである。だからこそ被害者はその体験を伝えるべきだと思う。それが、平和を守ることや震災を風化させないことに繋がるからだ。それは私たちの役目だと私は思う。だからこの出来事を忘れないでほしい。私たちのことを忘れないでほしい。そして、この出来事を伝え広げてください。私はこのことこそが多くの人の命を守ること、震災へ抵抗する強力な手段だと思う。

 

この六年間を通して

 

 震災後初めて学校に行った時、そこではいくつかの約束事が話されました。校庭では遊ばないこと。外に出るときはマスクをすること。なるべく長袖を着用すること。私たちは震災後、しばらくはその約束を守りましたが、一年も経ってしまうと、その約束事は忘れ去られ、ほとんど元の生活に戻りました。

 

 学校の行事で、私は遠足で港町を訪れました。そこで私は大きなショックを受けました。ほとんど、家や建物がないのです。高い堤防の内側は、綺麗に平らに整備されていました。しかしあるのは、数軒の家だけです。人々は引っ越してしまって、住む人がいないという話を聞きました。きっと人々が帰ってくるのは難しいでしょう。特に若い人々は放射線を恐れて、戻ってこないのです。

 

私が借上住宅を訪れた時、私はそこに住んでいる方からお話を聞けました。彼女は言いました、「私の家は流されちゃったんだよ。放射線で家族はバラバラになったし……。たくさんの人がボランティアで助けてくれたね。でも、そこでふるさとを歌うんだけど、「うさぎおいしかのやま 小鮒釣りしかの川」なんて歌えなかった。だって一瞬にしてきえっちまったんだもん。一瞬にしてだよ。最初の三年は辛かったね。人に話せなかったもん。ずっと悲しかった。でも、三年もすぎちまうと、若い人に語りつがなきゃなって思うようになったんだ。本当に感謝してんだよ、ボランティアの方々にわね」

 

私は彼女の話を聞いているうちに涙が出てきました。どれだけ彼女は苦しかったでしょうか。しかし、彼女はまっすぐ未来を見ていました。私も前を見なきゃ、そう思えました。

 

 放射線は私たちに甚大な被害をもたらしました。子供たちの中の甲状腺癌率がたかくなってしまいました。そして、多くの人々が彼らの故郷に帰れてません。そして人々は私たちを”汚い”と言います。福島と聞いただけで嫌な顔をします。福島についてインターネットで検索して見ると、そこには、「福島は汚い。福島は危険。福島はヤバい場所だ」そう書いてあります。けれど、私は福島をそう考える人に言いたいです。「福島の何を知っているのか。あなたの目で福島を見たのか。」と。私は何が真実か分かりません。でもそれは誰もわからないと私は思います。もっと多くの人がもしくは私自身が甲状腺癌になるかもしれません。放射線量が減らないかもしれません。

 

さらにひどいことが起こるかもしれません。でも、私たちを差別しないでください。私たちを汚いと言わないでください。私たちは復興しています。

 

福島の人たちだけではなく多くの人が福島のために全力を尽くしています。多くの人が放射線と戦っています。私たちの悪いところだけを見ないでください。

 

本当の私たちをみてください。私はみなさんにお願いしたいことがあります。私たちに手を貸してください。私は私たちが良い福島の未来を作れると思います。私たちなら作れます。

 

私若い人はそれをそれをすべきです。だから、あなた自身の目で福島を見て、福島に何ができるのか私たちと一緒に考えてください。私たちと一緒に福島をさらにいい場所にしましょう。    


Text and Translation into English by Itô Miyu 2017 / Copyright: Itô Miyu