24 hours -- Stand with Fukushima Mothers

Please support Fukushima Mothers!!!


日本全国の友人たちへ 

枝野産業相は明日、勇敢な福島の母親たちを追い出します。彼女たちの崇高な目的をもった行動を封じたい原子力業界の圧力に屈し、彼女たちの子供の命を危険にさらし続けるのです。しかし私たちは抗議の声を上げ、枝野産業相がこのショッキングな行動を阻止せざるを得なくなるよう働きかけることができます。今すぐメッセージを送信しましょう：

いま、恐ろしいことが起きつつあります。福島のお母さんたちは、子供たちのために、放射能汚染のない未来を築くことを求めて、経済産業省前で平和的なキャンペーンを行っています。そのお母さんたちに対して、枝野幸男・経済産業大臣が退去命令を出しました。警察がお母さんたちのテントを撤去しにやってくるまで、あと24時間ほどしかありません。警察を止められるかどうかは、私たちの今の行動にかかっています！ 

枝野大臣は、影響力ある原子力産業の圧力に負けつつあります。原子力産業は、福島のお母さんたちの闘いが社会の注目を集め、その真摯な努力が実り始めていることに脅威を感じています。今、全国で多くの国民が、お母さんたちの闘いに呼応して、危険な原子力発電をやめるように、声を上げ始めています。この勇気あるお母さんたちが警察によって立ち退かされないように、私たちが今、みんなで支援をしなければ、子供たちの命を守る闘いはつぶされてしまいます。 

残された時間は一日だけです！今すぐ、枝野大臣の受信箱に何千通のメッセージを送り、退去命令の撤回を要請しましょう。枝野大臣をはじめとする政治家たちにとっても、人命や安全が大事か、それとも目先の利益に固執するのか、選択の時が来ています。いま、福島のお母さんたち、そして脱原発に取り組む活動家たちとともに立ち上がり、原子力産業の汚いやり口を終わらせるために、クリックしてください。そして、このメッセージをすべての人に伝えてください。 

http://www.avaaz.org/jp/stand_with_fukushima_mothers 

日本では、驚くべきことが今起きています。福島での大事故から数ヶ月、原子力が安全でもクリーンでもないという事実に、国民が気づき始めました。メディアでも、数多くの活動家たちの努力が取り上げられ、放射能汚染が危険なレベルに達していること、また、それが日本の未来にとって何を意味するのかということが、極めて身近な問題として取り上げられ、多くの国民がこの事態に懸念を抱くようになっています。 

原子力産業に対する、国民からのこの圧力は功を奏しています。今、日本国内で稼動している原子炉は4基のみで、4月末までには、この数がゼロになるかもしれません。強力な原子力産業は、この事態に脅威を感じ、全力で延命策を講じています。福島のお母さんたちによる経済産業省前の座り込みが長引くほど、国民の支持はお母さんたちの方に傾くことを知っているからです。そこで、原子力産業は全力で政府内の支持者に働きかけて、抗議行動を終わらせ、見せかけの平穏を取り戻そうとしています。しかし、私たちはもう後戻りできません。 

金曜日には、経済産業省の係官と警察が、抗議行動を行っているお母さんたちを力づくで排除する可能性があります。警察官たちは、退去しなければ、懲役刑や罰金刑になると脅迫を加えるでしょう。でも、お母さんたちは、平和的に、合法的に座り込んでいるのです。私たちは、日本国民、また、日本に住む市民として団結し、政府が、原子力関連の利権団体が主催する晩餐会における乾杯の音頭にではなく、国民の声にこそ耳を傾けるように、要求しましょう。私たちが今日とる行動が、主権者である国民の、異議申し立てを行う権利を守り、私たち全員の安全な未来を築くために闘っているお母さんたちと活動家たちを支え、その決意をさらに強めることにつながります。あと24時間しかありません。メッセージを今送信し、これをすべての人に転送してください。 

http://www.avaaz.org/jp/stand_with_fukushima_mothers 

環境に優しいクリーンエネルギーに支えられた日本の未来を築くチャンスは、今、大きな広がりを見せています。この可能性の扉が閉ざされるのを防ぐため、今こそ立ち上がりましょう！そのために、平和的に抗議行動を続ける福島のお母さんたちの権利を守ることから、取り組みを始めていきましょう。 

希望をこめて、 

イアン、キア、ベン、アリス他Avaazチーム全員 

出典： 

Fukushima Diary "JP Gov is planning to remove the antu-nuclear tent in front of METI":
http://fukushima-diary.com/2012/01/jp-gov-is-planning-to-remove-the-antu-nuclear-tent-in-front-of-meti/#.Tx_tgGGqDb8.twitter 

経産省前テントひろば "【緊急】報道・記者会見予定など拡散願います。":
http://tentohiroba.tumblr.com/ 

----------------------------------

Dear friends across Japan, 

Tomorrow, Minister Edano will evict the brave Fukushima mothers, bowing to nuclear industry pressure to silence their noble cause -- and putting their children's lives at continued risk. But our outcry can compel Minister Edano to stop this shocking action -- send a message now:

It's outrageous! - the Minister of the Economy has just ordered the eviction of the Fukushima mothers peacefully camping outside METI to demand a radiation-free future for their children. We have just 24 hours before police move in to tear down the tents, it's up to us to stop them now! 

Minister Edano is bowing to bullying from the powerful nuclear industry -- they are furious that the brave mothers’ hard efforts are working. Their struggle has captured public attention and across the country people are speaking out to end unsafe nuclear energy. But their fight for their children's lives will be crushed unless we now all support these courageous women and stop their eviction. 

We have only one day! Let’s flood Mr Edano's inbox with thousands of messages now, calling on him to revoke his eviction order. It's time that our politicians put people and safety before profit. Click to stand with the Fukushima mothers now and help end the nuclear industry’s dirty tactics -- then forward this to everyone: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_fukushima_mothers/?vl 

Something amazing is happening in Japan. Months after the Fukushima disaster, the public is waking up to the fact that nuclear energy is neither safe nor clean. The efforts of these few hundred activists have persistently broken into the media, and created a very real public concern about dangerous radiation levels and what they mean for the future of Japan. 

The pressure is working. Right now, there are only 4 nuclear power plants operating in Japan, and at the end of April that number could drop to zero. The powerful nuclear industry is scared, and is now fighting back with all its might -- it knows that the longer the Fukushima mothers camp outside of METI, the more public support they gather. That's why it's using all of its might to push government allies to end the protest, and return things back to a nuclear friendly normality. But we can’t go back. 

On Friday, Tokyo police and METI officials will move in to forcefully remove the protesters. They will threaten them with prison and fines, but they are there peacefully, and legally. Let's come together now as Japanese citizens and urge the government to listen to people, not the clinking of sake cups at nuclear-sponsored dinners. Our action today can protect the democratic right of people to protestand also strengthen the resolve of the brave mothers and activists who are fighting for a safe tomorrow for all of us. There's only 24 hours left, send your message now, and forward this to everyone you know: 

http://www.avaaz.org/en/stand_with_fukushima_mothers/?vl 

The window of opportunity to build a green and clean energy future in Japan is wide open right now. If we stand together, we can keep it open, and it starts now, by protecting the right of the Fukushima mothers to peacefully protest. 

With hope, 

Iain, Kya, Ben, Alice and the rest of the Avaaz team 

Sources: 

Fukushima Diary "JP Gov is planning to remove the antu-nuclear tent in front of METI":
http://fukushima-diary.com/2012/01/jp-gov-is-planning-to-remove-the-antu-nuclear-tent-in-front-of-meti/#.Tx_tgGGqDb8.twitter 

経産省前テントひろば "【緊急】報道・記者会見予定など拡散願います。":
http://tentohiroba.tumblr.com/ 

Jiji.com: Another man died at the time of decontamination

This is another news article from Jiji.com posted on 1/17/2012 stating that another man who was working on decontamination in Fukushima died on 1/17/2012.

日本原子力研究開発機構福島技術本部などは１７日、福島県広野町周辺で実施している除染モデル事業で働いていた男性（５９）が同日の作業中に死亡したと発表した。放射線被ばくが影響した可能性は極めて低いという。同機構の除染事業での死亡は２人目。

同機構などによると、この日は７人のグループで午前９時から作業を開始。男性はしゃがみ込みながら土を掘り起こし、表土を除去する作業をしていた。午前１１時５５分ごろ、倒れているところを同僚が発見し、病院で死亡が確認された。（2012/01/17-18:36）

On 1/17/2012, Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced a man (59), who was involved in decontamination of Hironomachi Fukushima, died on 1/17/2012. They are also stating that it is very unlikely it was caused by radiation. He was the 2nd person who has died during decontamination.

According to the announcement, the man started decontaminating with a group of 6 other people from 9AM on 1/17. He was squatting to remove a layer from the surface of the ground. Around 11:55AM, his coworkers found him down on the ground, and sent him to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. (1/17/2012-18:36)

Again, another mystery death, but it looks like "squatting" is the only culprit, or so they would want you to believe . . .


If you would like to read the original Japanese news, here is the URL:
http://www.google.co.jp/gwt/x?hl=ja&client=twitter&u=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2FcuZptmpx&guid=on

ABC: Radioactive Concrete Is Latest Scare for Fukushima Survivors

Here is a quote from the ABC news blog on 1/16/2012 about the discovery that the concrete used to build new apartments for evacuees was contaminated, resulting in annual radiation exposure significantly above international standards.

“'We thought we could finally settle here. I have no words,' said a resident, who told broadcaster NHK  she moved to the apartment with her husband and young children, to escape radiation. 'I just feel so awful for my kids. I feel like I’ve failed as a parent.'"

I am not surprised that this happened, since the Japanese government is even distributing radioactive rubble from Fukushima throughout the country to be incinerated (and reintroduced into the atmosphere). If they had any intention of containing the contamination, they certainly have not shown it yet. Some even speculate that the Japanese government is purposely spreading the contamination throughout Japan so that those close to Fukushima will have a harder time proving their illnesses originated from the accident (since all of Japan will be impacted at that point). Will there be anywhere safe left in Japan by the time the government is through? If we are to contain this ongoing disaster, we must move quickly!


If you would like to read the original news post, here is the URL:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/01/radioactive-concrete-is-latest-scare-for-fukushima-survivors/

CNN: Japan planning breast milk radiation tests

This is a quote from CNN on 1/12/2012 about the Japanese government considering widespread testing of breast milk samples of new mothers in Fukushima.

"Mothers in the prefecture have publicly held protests, expressing outrage over possible health effects of radiation from the plant affecting their newborns. About 18,000 babies are born each year in the prefecture. About half of those babies, according to the government, are breastfed."

"A survey conducted in May and June by Japan's national government found traces of radioactive cesium in the breast milk of seven of 21 mothers in Fukushima. Experts say the minute amounts posed no health risks to babies."

Yeah, it's about time. But only in Fukushima? At least they should consider testing in all "Eastern Japan" (Tohoku & Kanto). Remember, radioactive materials are not distributed equally within neat little circles drawn on maps nor do they neatly fall within prefecture borders. Apparently, the lessons from Chernobyl go unnoticed and the mistakes from said tragedy are doomed to be repeated . . . I do not know about you, but I am tired of hearing the "presumed" experts say "amounts pose no health risks." These words will live in infamy as the world slowly realizes just how serious this ongoing accident really is. 

These infants are extremely small, and they will be drinking radioactive cesium tainted breast milk. The cesium will accumulate in their bodies during one of the most crucial periods of development. If their claims of health risks is based on science, where were the experiments performed? I assume nowhere, since such experimentation would deemed unethical. However, is it not equally unethical to tell young mothers that there are no health risks without truly knowing? Personally, I think these "experts" should no longer be talking to journalists, but to the judges of their trials for crimes against humanity.

If you would like to read the original news, here is the URL:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/12/world/asia/japan-breast-milk-tests/index.html

Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant worker died from acute myocardial infarction!

This is a web news article from MBS news on 1/11/2012 about the death of a nuclear power plant worker on the 9th of this month.

東京電力は、福島第一原発で９日、作業中に体調不良を訴え病院に運ばれた男性作業員が死亡したと発表しました。  

Tokyo Electric Power Co. announced that a male nuclear power plant worker at Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant who had complained of feeling ill and had been transported to a hospital on the 9th died.  

東京電力によりますと、今月９日の午後２時２０分頃、福島第一原発の敷地内でコンクリートを流し込む作業をしていた６０代の男性作業員が体調不良を訴えました。 

According to TEPCO, around 2:20pm on the 9th, the male worker in his sixties who was working on pouring concrete in the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant premise complained that he was not feeling well. 

男性は敷地内にある医療室で手当てを受けましたが、すでに意識はなく心肺停止状態だったため、いわき市内の病院に運ばれましたが午後５時過ぎ、死亡したということです。死因は急性心筋梗塞で、発表が２日遅れになったことについて東京電力は、１１日になって男性が死亡したと病院から連絡を受けたためだと説明しました。 

He received treatment in a medical room located at the premise, but he was already unconscious and in an state of respiratory arrest so he was transported to the hospital in Iwaki city, but he died after 5:00pm on that day. The cause of death was acute myocardial infarction, and TEPCO explained the reason why the announcement was 2 days delayed was because they were informed by hospital about his death on the 11th. 

男性は５月から福島第一原発で働いていますが、外部被ばく線量は６ミリシーベルトで、体から放射性物質は検出されておらず、東京電力は「被ばくとの因果関係はない」としています。 

He had been working at the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant since May, but his external radiation dose was 6mSv and radioactive materials were not found on his body, so TEPCO said "there was no causal relationship with radiation exposure." 

福島第一原発では、去年５月にも作業にあたっていた６０代の男性作業員が心筋梗塞で死亡しています。（11日20:21） 

Another male nuclear power plant worker in his sixties also died from acute myocardial infarction at the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant last May. (11th 20:21)

There is no causal relationship between the cause of this death and radiation exposure? Really? Can they statistically support that there is no increase of risk of this type of death compared to different work environments? I have worked in a large company before and two such deaths so close together would be striking enough to merit some investigation. However, apparently TEPCO does not value the lives of these individuals (or ANY individuals) enough to look into the matter.

If you would like to read the original Japanese news, here is the URL:

http://www.mbs.jp/news/jnn_4924770_zen.shtml

From Numayu's blog "My best friend's "head"...."

This is a translation of the "Numayu's blog" post titled "My best friend's "head"...." This blog post is describing her best friend's visit to her house on December 31, 2011 in Minamisoma-city in Fukushima which is within 20km from the Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant.

さっき、高校時代からの 親友 ( 女性 ) が、
顔を見せに 寄ってくれました。 

My best friend (female) from highschool just visited me.

わたくし の 頭 ( ハゲ ＆ 抜けまくる髪 ) と、
彼女 ( ４２ 歳 ) の 状態を、
時折、
電話では、話していました。 

We have been talking on the phone sometime about my head (boldness & hair loss) and her (42 years old) condition.

しかし、
ウイッグ を かぶって来た 彼女が、
「 かつら 」 を 取り外した 姿を見て、
その 痛々しさに、
言葉も ありませんでした。 

However, when she came over wearing her a wig, and when I saw her take her wig off, I had no words for how painful it was to see. 

彼女が 避難したのは、
福島県 と、宮城県の 「 県境  ( 内陸部 ) 」 でした。 

The place she evacuated to was on the border of Fukushima and Miyagi prefecture (inland part). 

しかし、
相次ぐ 「 【 原発 】  の 爆発 」 ・ 「 最悪な 【 ベント作業 】 」 時には、
この近辺に いたのです。 

But at the time of "nuclear power plant explosion" and "dreaded vent operation," she was here in this neighborhood.

彼女の 了承のもと、
その 「 痛々しさ 」 を 画像で 掲載いたします。 

With her permission, I am posting these "heartbreaking" pictures.

わたくしも、彼女も、
１０月 あたりから、
大量の髪が 抜け始まりました。 

Both of us started loosing a lot of our hair around October.


これが、
「 ４２ 歳の 健康な 女性 」 の 頭です。 

This is the head of a "healthy 42 year old female."

彼女は、活動的で、
仕事を バリバリこなしています。 

She is very active and a very hard worker.

みなさま、
信じられますか？ 

Can you believe this?


１０月から、
たった ３ヶ月 の 間 に、
これほどまでに、抜けたのです。 

From October, within just 3 months, this much of her hair has been lost.

わたくしが、
髪を 「 ３ ㎝ 」  に 切りたくなったことには、
こういう 背景も あるのです。 

This is the reason why I wanted to cut my hair to 3cm long.

いま
わたくしは、
彼女ほどは、抜けていませんが、
もし、髪を、
「 長いままに 」  していたら、
もっと、もっと 抜けていたでしょう。 

Currently, I have not lost as much hair as her, but if I had kept my hair long, I believe I would have lost a lot more of my hair.

彼女と、１０月に 会った時、
彼女は、
「 自分の髪 」 を 束ねていたのです。 

When I saw her in October, she tied up "her own hair" in a bundle.

いったい、
これは、何なのでしょうか ・・・。 

What the heck is going on?

What do you think about this? Do you think this happened by chance? You need to see what is really going on with your own eyes and decide for yourself. Not government, nor the mainstream media are showing this, as an informed public is harder to pacify.

If you would like to read the original Japanese blog, here is the URL:

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kmasa924/28679988.html

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

The New year has come. This year, I would like to interview mothers who live near the Fukushima prefecture that have concerns about radiation impacting their children. I feel that it is my duty to let the world know about this and their needs. 

Anyone who reads this blog and knows someone that would like to raise their voice, please contact me. Together, let's try to make a difference! Thank you!

When a mother says, "I wish I never gave birth to my children"

This is a translation of a Nihon Keizai blog posted on 12/28/2011 describing a mother of 14 and 5 year old daughters in Shirakawa-city, Fukushima, about 70km away from Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant where the radiation level has been measured as high as 0.6 micro Sieverts per hour which exceeds way past country's standard (0.23 micro Sieverts per hour).

母親は事故直後、「県外に避難したい」とも考えた。それでも仕事や住宅ローンなど経済的な事情に加え、「娘たちを転校させたくない」と避難生活に踏み切れず、悩んだ末、地元に残った。

最善の選択をしたはずなのに……。「水を飲んでも害はないだろうか」「娘たちを屋外で遊ばせても大丈夫だろうか」「甲状腺がんが発症するのでは」などという健康面の不安が日々わき上がる。結婚や就職などで理不尽な思いをすることはないか。娘たちの将来を考えると罪悪感にさいなまれるという。

「そんな心配や苦労を娘たちが一生背負わされるかと思うと、産まなければよかったって思うんです。産んでごめんね、って」と母親は声を詰まらせた。 

Right after the accident, though she wanted to move outside of Fukushima prefecture, not wanting her daughters to have to transfer their schools and in consideration of her job, mortgage, and financial situation, she and her family gave-up evacuating and remained in their hometown. It was supposed to be the best option at the time....However, "is it harmful to drink the water?" "is it alright to let her daughters play outside?" "will they develop Thyloid cancer?," anxiety from worrying about health arises day after day. When she thinks about her daughters' future such as marriage and finding employment, she is tormented by feelings of guilt.
"such worry and hardship will be put on my daughters' shoulders, so I wish I never gave birth to them. I am sorry for giving birth" her voice breaks down with emotion.

What do you think about this?  How sad for her to say "I wish I never gave birth to my children." There are many children and teenagers who are still living in Fukushima where the radiation level has been measured as high as 0.6 micro Sieverts per hour or even higher. We need to help these children to evacuate from these areas as soon as possible.


If you would like to read the original Japanese blog, here is the URL:
http://www.nikkei.com/news/topic/article/g%3d96958A9C93819490E3E1E293E58DE3E1E3E0E0E2E3E39BE3E2E2E2E2%3bq%3d9694E2E1E2E4E0E2E3E3E4E6EAE2%3bp%3d9694E2E1E2E4E0E2E3E3E4E6E5E5%3bn%3d9694E2E1E2E4E0E2E3E3E4E6E5E6%3bo%3d9694E2E1E2E4E0E2E3E3E4E6E5E7?n_cid=DSTPCS006