From NYC to Sendai-Fukushima
On March 26, 2015 I departed for my second visit to Japan arranged by our partner Peace Boat. My first visit was March of 2014.
The purpose of this trip was to be a part of the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) conference in Sendai and the Citizen events organized around it by the Japan Citizens Council and Peace Boat.
The UNDRR conference was attended by diplomats, Presidents, and Non Profit Leaders discussing policy that would guide our global community in reducing risk and working together towards a more just, safe, equitable world. Discussions on nuclear energy, women’s rights, leadership initiatives, youth leadership and disaster response were all broken into committees and resolutions where established.
Across the city Non Profit Organizations gathered together in several venues; an expo to promote their organizations, a theatre where leaders presented their work and lessons learned and the Peoples Pavilion reminiscent of Occupy Wall Street with tents and young people coming together to share their thoughts and aspirations in an open air environment. I had the honor to participate in the panel that closed the Citizens portion of the UNDRR conference alongside esteemed leaders from Japan, South Africa and India committed to sharing lessons learned and way ahead.
A host of events and discussions led up to the closing event. I attended a heartbreaking panel of local leaders and citizens that expressed such an intense sense of loss and betrayal. The emotions reflected the trust Japanese citizens had for their government, and their struggle to make sense of their new reality. Those who spoke represented communities seeking information and direction on the mandatory flood walls that were being built despite community resistance, while other questioned the countries resolve to use nuclear energy despite the devastation the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant disaster had on massive swath of Japan post the Tsunami.
I was observing the loss of innocence, and the tremendous emotional pain associated with it. I left that part of the evening reminiscing about my experiences caring for our 9-11-2001 rescue workers and volunteers exposed to the Trade Center dust. I walked away sad for the Japanese people that had lost both their physical home and an emotional one.
I also had tremendous sense of validation about World Cares Center, and our conviction that people and volunteers must be protected through education as a part of their everyday lives so that they can make informed decisions prior to disasters occurring.
Throughout the trip I dined with international change makers and because of Peace Boats youth focus, many young nonprofit entrepreneurs. Every night I was inspired by their stories, their vision, and drive.
The Peace Boat teams, led by Jr. Yamamoto were incredible hosts. Our last dinner together in Sendai included a huge surprise when Ella from AmeriCares walked in. You see, it was Ella that facilitated our partnership with Peace Boat. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy AmeriCares provided World Cares Center with the funds to meet the surge need of our community. It was Ella that literally hand delivered a check to us and Ella that introduced Peace Boat to World Cares Center so that they could send their volunteers all the way from Japan to help.
The following and last day I headed to Fukushima Prefecture and its surrounding towns Mimamisoma and Iwaki. I was on an educational tour that was arranged by the Japan SCO Coalition to provide participants with an opportunity to meet as many people impacted by The Great Asian Earthquake-Tsunami, our visits where intense and emotional. Our bus was filled with international DRR experts. Along the way we were joined by representatives from the contaminated area including an ex-employee of the Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant turned advocate and tour guide, a representative from an organic cotton farm initiative, and a film producer.
We traveled progressively into each evacuation zone. With each zone we were explained the radiation levels and the restrictions. Once we were well underway, we were told that on route 6, our path through Fukushima, the radiation levels were so high that the bus was not allowed to stop. While on our journey together, our guide had expressed several times his doubt that the government should even allow the bus to pass through.
It was explained that there are three zones when referring to the areas affected by the third part of the trifecta, the TEPCO Nuclear Plant meltdown. In the first zone, which is 30 miles from the epicenter of TEPCO citizens could return to their homes but farming was forbidden, although you could see that greenhouses and family gardens were present. 20 miles from the epicenter citizen could return to their homes and work in the area but they were restricted from sleeping overnight. It was said that there were some 200 or so families that did live in the area despite the restriction.10 miles from the epicenter streets were blocked with metal gates, and it was explained that citizens needed to get permission to enter their homes once a month. The homes and businesses closest to the TEPCO Nuclear Plant were completely abandoned. Security personnel were posted all along the street to prevent anyone from entering. In this area the homes were decaying, cars were buried and both were overgrown with vegetation.
The cleanup of the effected zones was going on along the road side for the entire trip and consisted of scratching off dirt from the surface, trimming leaf laden branches that emitted levels of radiation and putting them in 8x8' black tarp bags. We were told that debris with low levels of contamination was collected from the area and incinerated.
The trip was clearly set up advocating against nuclear energy but I yearned for baseline statistics and information. We were lucky to have experts on the trip to share their knowledge, but it was focused on having Fukushima be an example of why Nuclear energy of any kind should not be tolerated. I was left with so many questions, questions that the citizens of Japan also had.
Another important aspect of the Fukushima tour was meeting with several local leaders. The Mayor of Minamisoma is trying to build back his town whose pre-disaster the population was 700,000 and decreased to 10,000. Minamisoma hosts a Samurai-Horse festival each year, similar to our Renaissance Festivals.
In Iwaka we were introduced to mothers turned scientists that founded the Iwaki Radiation Measuring Center NPO. The center tests radiation levels in the foods their children are eating. The experts on our tour were significantly impressed and I think a little envious of the state of the art technology these women were able to secure. These local leaders are an inspiration and their work is a testament to the human spirit; selfless, determined, and good.
While the citizens of Japan struggle to regain their lives, and champion the needs of the community they are remain scared and confused, pleading for expert information on flood walls and radiation exposure. The need to spread proactive, empowerment initiatives globally remains glaringly apparent.
This is a recount of my trip and what the community shared with us. I welcome any feedback, corrections on my interpretation or offer of assistance to address the needs that linger.
Thank you, Peace Boat and the people of Japan for your continued friendship.
