A child's sadness about Fukushima Daichi nuclear disaster

こおりやまでは、げんぱつがあってかなしいです。
"It’s sad for me that there are nuclear plants near Koriyama."

Naoya is 8 and lives in Koriyama 34 miles (55km) west of the Fukushima accident site. He chose his materials very carefully and tested them to make sure the marks expressed his experience. He drew clouds, the sea, and Fukushima Daichi.

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people.

I can eat cake now! Young Fukushima evacuee

Narumi is 15. Her picture celebrates feeling safe to eat lots of cake - her favourite is Tiramisu.  She evacuated in 2011 to Hiroshima city from Nishi-Aizu in western Fukushima with her mother and sister

Her situation

Although levels in Nishi-Aizu were a little lower than areas very near the plant, long-term risk from radiation is a concern for parents. Nishi Aizu receives heavy snow each year. This is hard work to deal with, and there is an avalanche risk. There is occasionally extreme rain and flooding, for example in July 20ll. There is now extra worry because this heavy snow and rain washes down radiation from a large mountainous catchment area and can concentrate it in rivers, drains and rice fields as time go by. Irradiated tsunami debris and incinerated sewage ash from Nakadori were secretly dumped in an area that drains into the river that flows through Nishi-Aizu. It is hard to find food from safer areas, as shops stock local produce from Fukushima – and schools serve it. It is expensive to order food from less contaminated areas.

I am a Kite - Fukushima child and mother

Shusei is 4 and lives in Fukushima City, north west of Fukushima Daichi. He really liked a kite from Aomori, so I painted his face into the kite. Shusei painted the wind blowing the kite.See below for an image and words by his mother

His situation The levels of radiation are so high in Fukushima City that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. 

 

Drawing solely by Shusei's mother

 

 

 

This picture is by Shusei's mother Kaori. It shows Fukushima Daichi, radiation and the tsunami at the top. She has drawn the whole family below. Scroll down for her words

 

 

 

By Kaori, Shusei's mother
3.11　福島市で被災
3.14　原発事故があった日、
私たちは放射線が舞っているとは知らずに、水をもらうための行列に並んだり、食料を買うために店に何時間も並んだり、自転車で出かけたりしていました。原発から1.5kmに自宅がある大熊町の友人は、一晩だけの避難と思って出て3.11に家を出て以来、戻れていません。

私たち親子は避難生活はしていませんが、休日の度に、身体を休めるよう環境放射能の低い地域に行っています。 福島のお母さんは、そのような方が多いと思います。

原発事故以来、家族が遠く離れ離れになり、子どもは外遊びを控え、土は汚く危険なものと教えざるを得なくなりました。祖母の育てた野菜を子どもが口にすることはできません。子どもを外で遊ばせることができる暮らし。畑で採れたものを食べられる暮らし。私がしたいのはふつうの暮らし。

でも運命に、屈してはならないと思います。立ち上がる希望が明日を切り開くのだと思います。 世界中のみなさん、福島を応援してください。 そして、原発なんかいらない世の中を作りましょう。

"3.11: We experienced the earthquake disaster in Fukushima-city.
3.14: The nuclear accident followed.

We did not know about the radioactive fallout. We were standing outside in queues to get water, queuing outside the shops for hours and going around by bicycle.

My friend from Okuma-machi (which is 1.5km away from the plant) left their home. At the time the friend thought it would be for one night, but they have been unable to return home since March 11th.

Since the nuclear accident, our family has become separated, with some going away to live. My child has to avoid playing outside, and I have to teach him that soils are dirty and dangerous. He cannot eat the vegetables that are grown by his grandma.

We have not evacuated, but we go to places where the radiation is low each holiday to rest. I think that many Fukushima mothers are doing the same thing as us.

I just want to live an ordinary life where he can play outside and where we can eat vegetables from the allotment.

However we should not give up. Standing up with hope will open up tomorrow.

Everybody in the world, please support Fukushima.
We will make a world without any nuclear power plants."

What work will I do? Fukushima child

Takahisa is 9 and lives in a small village in the countryside of Minamiaizu, western Fukushima prefecture. His image shows him thinking about what work he should do when he is older: should he be (right to left): a surgeon, a carpenter, or a sweet maker?

In the pool with my friends - Fukushima child

 

Fuyuka is 6 and lives in a small village in Minamiaizu, western Fukushima. She painted her friends in the pool with her, as it is what she likes do best. There are towels in the shape of hearts on the fence at the top.

The road to my dream - Fukushima child evacuee

Sato is 9. She evacuated with her mother and sister from Minamisoma, 25km (16m) north of Fukushima Daichi, without waiting for official instructions. Most of Minamisoma was later declared an official evacuation zone. 1,500 people from there are dead or missing as a result of the tsunami and earthquake.

Her writing on the picture:
My Dream (top leftt),
The road to my dream (by pink bird)
Shall we go with confidence? (Sato on a sheep)
Courage (yellow writing under the heart)
Hope (the flower in the middle)
Smile (pink writing, bottom　right bottom)

Click for writing by Sato, her sister Ami, and their mother in English and Japanese.

Protecting his family: Fukushima evacuee child 家族を守って：福島から避難した子ども

「ボクはボールを投げるのが好き。少林寺もやってるけど、まだ上手じゃない。近くに遊べる公園があったらいいな」

"I like throwing balls. I’m doing “shourinji” (a form of karate) too, but I’m not very good at it yet. I wish there was a park nearby where I could play..."
Miroku, 8.

母親からの言葉：
「ミロクは女の子にとっても優しいんです。いつも妹のコハルやお隣の女の子達と仲良く遊んでいるから、たまに学校でからかわれるほど。お父さんが福島にいて不在にしているので、父親の代わりに家族を守ろうとしているんでしょうね。父親が訪ねてくると、いつも強がってみせるんですよ」                     　　　　　　
His mother wrote:
"Miroku is really gentle and nice with girls. He plays so well with his sister and the two girls next door. It’s to the point where he sometimes gets teased at school for being nice to girls!  His father is away in Fukushima now, so I think he’s trying to protect his family in his Dad’s place. When his father comes to visit, he always puts up a brave front."


彼の置かれた状況：
ミロクくんは2011年3月11日の災害が起きた当初、福島第一原発から33キロ離れたいわき市に住んでいた。震災後、彼女は家族と共に自主避難した。現在ミロクくんは、モモちゃんやワカちゃんが住んでいるアパートに住んでいる。いわき市にいた頃はお互いを知らなかったが、今ではすっかり仲良し。コハルの母親は大学時代を除けば、いわき市以外の場所に住んだ事はなかった。しかし、震災後、彼女は二人の子供を連れ、金沢、小田原、横浜と転々とし、最終的に東京に落ち着いた。しばらくは東京に落ち着くことができればと願っている。そのように別の地域に住むのは構わないが、どれも短期的なものでしかないのが辛い。毎回移動する際に、最低限の荷物しか持っていけないのも悩みの種である。子供達の父親は一人でいわき市の家に残って会社を設立し、家族のために安定した収入を得ようと頑張っている。父親は震災前までは漁業の仕事に携わっていたが、今は完全に辞めてしまった。彼が震災後に離ればなれに暮らす家族に会えたのは、これまでにたったの6回。子供達（特に長男であるミロクくん）は父親に再会する時はいつも強がって元気に振る舞い、決して泣いたりしない。それでも、彼がいわきに戻っていくと、子供達も母親も寂しくて落ち込んでしまう。「三人でお父さんが使った枕を嗅いで、お父さんの匂いを思い出しているんです」子供達の母親はそう言った。母親は、ミロクくんが父親に代わって妹やお友達を守っているのだと感じている。

His situation
He was living in Iwaki, 33km south of Fukushima Daichi at the time of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.  His family have since self-evacuated to Tokyo. Miroku lives in the same apartment building as his friends, Momo and Waka. They didn’t know each other at all in Iwaki, but  are mutually happy to have found such a good friendship now. Until the quake, Miroku's mother had lived in Iwaki City all her life, apart from University in Tokyo. After the disaster, she and her two children moved from place to place: from Iwaki to Kanazawa, Odawara, Yokohama, and then finally to Tokyo, where she hopes they can settle for a while. The other cities were fine, but living arrangements were always temporary, so it was very hard. It was also hard that they could only take a small amount of luggage with them each time. The children’s father is staying alone in their old house in Iwaki, which stands on its own, trying to establish a business and keep their income steady. He was in the fishing industry before the disaster, but has left that profession for good now. He has only been able to visit his wife and children six times since the earthquake, and each time the kids acted tough and strong around him (especially Miroku, as the eldest son), refusing to let themselves cry. Every time he returned to Iwaki, though, Miroku's mother admits that she and the children felt depressed. “We smelled his pillow to remember papa’s smell,” she said.  She thinks that her son Miroku is taking on his father's role by protecting his sister and her friends.

Flying with dogs, Fukushima

空を飛んで雲に乗っている絵を描いた。犬も一緒に飛んでるよ。空を飛びたいなあ。　
"I painted a picture of flying on clouds. I am flying with dogs. I wish I could fly."

Kurumi is 7and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan.

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The island of honey, Fukushima

 ハチミツをいっぱい舐めたくて、ハチミツの島を描いた。前はクマさんにハチミツをとられっちゃったから、今回はいっぱいハチミツがとれたらいいなあと思った。

Mizuki is 7 and lives in Sukagawa-shi, Fukushima, about 60km west of the nuclear disaster site.

Her situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Using the roped off swing, Fukushima

 

ブランコに乗って外で元気に遊びたいなあって思った。ブランコに乗るのは楽しいから好きだけど、今は外で遊べないから、ブランコの絵を描いた。ブランコに乗ると、風景がいつもと違ってキレイに見えるよ。

Hanako is 6 years old and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima. She felt very intensely about her picture and was very upset when she thought she had run out of time to finish it. Her friend helped her to finish it later.

Hanako's mother wrote these words (Japanese below):

"I live in Fukushima with my husband, 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son. The earthquake on March 11 caused the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and high levels of radiation have been leaking since then. We can still detect cesium in many areas around Fukushima.

Every morning, when my children leave home for school, I remind them to carry tissues, a handkerchief and a face mask. In the nursery school yard there are lots of sunflowers*. And there is a rope barrier around the climbing frames and slide to prevent the children playing with them.

Our family have decided to keep living in Fukushima even under these conditions. When people say "All mothers in Fukushima, be brave and evacuate from there!" I feel pain.  I just cannot make that decision because I read about Fukushima residents who evacuated to somewhere else and the children got bullied by local children. Also,
I can't help being concerned about work, money, and the stress that might be  caused by starting life in completely new place as a stranger.

However, there is a good side to remaining in Fukushima too.
I received 2 dozen bottles of water with the message "Please use it to make milk for your baby."  I also had a chance to meet people who really care about children in Fukushima. I am touched by the warm-heartedness of many people.

We all have no idea how Fukushima children’s health will be in the future. However, Fukushima children have infinite possibilities. We all believe that. My wish is that we adults lead children towards a great future shining with hope.

*grown to try and remove radiation from soil

今、私は福島市に住んでいます。
主人と６歳の女の子、１歳の男の子と住んでいます。
３月１１日の地震で、福島原発から高い放射能が漏れ、
いまだに福島市の多くの土地からセシュウムが検出されています。

朝、子どもが小学校に出かける時、
「ハンカチ、ティッシュ、マスク、持った〜」と言って送り出します。
保育所の庭では、ジャングルジム、滑り台にロープが張ってあり、
たくさんのヒマワリが咲いています。

我が家は、避難する事なく福島市に住み続ける事に決めました。
「福島のお母さん、勇気をだして避難して」と言われると
苦しくなります。
転校をした学校でいじめにあった記事を読んだり、
仕事の事、お金の事、新しい土地でのストレスを考えると、
どうしても．．．

でも、悪い事ばかりではありません。
「赤ちゃんのミルクに使ってね。」と２ダースの水が届いたり、
福島の子どもたちの事を真剣に考えてくれる人たちと出会えたり、
人の温かさに触れる事ができました。

これから、福島の子どもたちの健康がどうなるかは誰もわかりません。
けれども、福島の子どもたちの可能性は無限です。
それはみんな、わかっています。
子どもたちの未来がキラキラと輝けるものとなるように
私たち大人が導いていけたらと思っています。

The blue pool, Fukushima

もっと遊びたい。
"I want to play more."

Hiyato is 8 and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima

His situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Waterfall discipline, Fukushima

 

たきにうたれて目をつぶって水をあびている所を書きました。きのう、川で低いたきでうたれていたから。ちょっといたかったけど気もちよかったです。
"I have drawn being hit by a water fall with my eyes closed. Yesterday I was hit by a small water fall in a river. I felt a little pain, but it was very refreshing for me."

Nouchi is 9 and lives in Motomiya, Fukushima. He experienced being under the waterfall in a summer respite camp.

His situation
The levels of radiation in his home area are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Moriyama is 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Fukushima child's flower shop dream

しょう来、お花屋さんになりたいから。ねがいたいゆめだから、えをかいた。こめらの森の近くのお花と、ルパンの家のまわりのさいているお花。
"I want to have my own flower shop in the future. This picture shows my dream. These flowers are growing near the children’s forest and Lupan’s house."
Hino, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

In the river, Fukushima

川は、たのしかったです。るぱんの川であそんだ、またいきたい　たのしかった。
"Yesterday we played in the river near Lupan’s house and had a good time. I want to go there again."
Mashiko, 7, Fukushima

Escaping Fukushima on a white rabbit

"I want to be smaller, and fly and ride a rabbit, because everyday I can’t go out much, and I don’t have the chance to touch a rabbit."

ちいさくなってうさぎといっしょにとんでおさんぽへいきたい。いつもさんぽへあまりいかないから、そしてうさぎをあんまりさわったときがないから。

Mitsuki, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima.

Another picture with Mitsuki

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Fukushima Daichi monsters

 福島第一モンスター
ハルカは福島県郡山市在住の12歳の女の子。　彼女の絵からは、彼女がただ外で遊びたいことが見て取れる。　しかし福島第一原子力発電所のモンスターが彼女の思いを脅かしている。

彼女の置かれた状況
郡山市で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、学校のグラウンドの土を除去したとはいえ、ほとんどの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。子供達は外出時に長袖にマスク着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。郡山市は人口34万人、福島第一原発から60km西に位置している。

Haruka is 12 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima. Her drawing shows her wishing she could just play, but she is menaced by monsters in the shape of the Fukushima Daichi nuclear plant.

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Bathing in the moonlight

月明かりの下で入浴
ヤマトは福島県郡山市に住む13歳。　彼の描いた絵は、焚き木で沸かすドラム缶のお風呂。　月明かりの下で原始的なお風呂を楽しんでいる。被災地の子供達が外で自由に遊べるよう企画されたサマーキャンプで体験した一コマを描いてくれた。

彼の置かれた状況
郡山市で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、学校のグラウンドの土を除去したとはいえ、ほとんどの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。子供達は外出時に長袖にマスク着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。郡山市は人口34万人、福島第一原発から60km西に位置している。

Yamato is 13 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima. His drawing shows him enjoying a moonlit bath outside in a tin drum heated the old fashioned way by a wood fire. He experienced this at a summer camp organised to give children a break from the high radiation areas and to enable them to play freely.

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The broken tree can grow again

倒れても再生する

この少年は、原子力発電所に近い福島県東部地域に暮らしている。

Taishi is 12 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Floating down the river 川下り

アコは福島県郡山市在住の9歳。

彼女の置かれた状況
郡山市で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、学校のグラウンドの土を除去したとはいえ、ほとんどの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。子供達は外出時に長袖にマスク着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。郡山市は人口34万人、福島第一原発から60km西に位置している。

Ako is 9 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi. 

Leaping with a dolphin under a red cloud いるかに乗って赤い雲の下を跳ねる

 

タイキくんは福島県いわき市に住む5歳。彼はこの絵を描く際、長い間じっと集中してデザインを練っていた。

彼の置かれた状況
タイキくんのご両親は、すぐにでもどこか放射能の危険が少ない場所へ引っ越したいと考えている。彼らの居住地域で検出された放射線レベルは非常に高く、多くの親や学校は子供を外で遊ばせていない。外出時には長袖とマスクを着用し、雨を避けている。そして食べ物や飲料水にも注意を払っている。

Taiki is 5 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima. He concentrated for a long time to design and paint his picture.

His situation
His parents hope they can leave for somewhere with low radiation soon. The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.