The giant runner: Fukushima evacuee child 天才ランナー：福島から避難した子ども

「私は走ることが好き。なわとびも好き。連続で100回以上跳べると思うよ。一輪車にも乗れる。学校では英語の授業が好き。超簡単だもん！」
9歳のコハルちゃんは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。

"I love running! And I like jump-rope, too. I think I can jump over a hundred times without stopping. I can ride a unicycle, too.  In school, I like my English classes - they’re super-easy!"
Koharu is 9. She was living in Iwaki, 33km south of Fukushima Daichi at the time of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear diaster of 11th March 2011. Her family self-evacuated.
                                      
母親からの言葉：
「いわきに住んでいる頃、コハルは新体操をしていたんです。それでトレーニングの為にいつも走っていました。だから髪を後ろで一つにしばるのが好きなんです。新体操をするときの髪型でもあります。コハルは新体操の大会で、東北のトップ10選手にも選ばれたんですよ。彼女に新体操を教えていたコーチは私なんです。私自身、体育大学を卒業していて、彼女の厳しいコーチでもあります。東京に来てからはどこのチームに属していないけれど、コハルはすぐに教室を見つけ、また演技をしたいと願っています。コハルはスポーツでも勉強でも、とても負けず嫌いで、何をするにしても全力を尽くす子です。お父さんがいわきから東京に訪ねてくると、コハルは頑張っている姿を見せようとします。本当はとっても寂しがっているんですけど、そういうところは見せないんです」

Her mother's words:
"Koharu used to do “Shin Taisou” (Ribbon Gymnastics) when we lived in Iwaki--that’s why she was always running: for training.  And that’s why she likes her hair pulled back tight, too. That’s the style for gymnastics. Actually, she placed in the “Tohoku Best Ten” in her event in a competition!  And her coach was....me!  I’m a graduate of a Sports University myself and I was very strict as her coach. Here in Tokyo, Koharu is not on a Gymnastics team, but she hopes to find one soon and get back in the game. In any case, Koharu hates to be beaten at anything, whether it’s sports or school. She goes all-out in whatever she tries. Whenever her father comes to visit, she shows him her best side; in reality, she misses him very much, but she doesn’t show it."

彼女が置かれた状況：
コハルちゃんはお兄ちゃんと母親の三人で、お友達のモモちゃんやワカちゃんと一緒の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彼女たちだが、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、これまで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。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。「三人でパパが使った枕を嗅いで、パパ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。

Her situation
Koharu lives with her mother and brother in the same apartment building as her 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, Koharu'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, refusing to let themselves cry. Every time he returned to Iwaki, though, Koharu's mother admits that she and the children felt depressed. “We smelled his pillow to remember papa’s smell,” she said.

Live cheerfully, like sunflowers - Fukushima

ヒマワリの中心が自分の顔で、笑顔でいる。それを見て、みんなが笑顔になればいいと思う。　
"There is a smile in the middle of sunflowers. I think everyone smiles when they see them."

Yamato is 13 and lives in Fukushima

The writing on the picture is a haiku about the importance of living cheerfully, like sunflowers. Sunflowers have been planted in high radiation areas of Fukushima in an attempt to remove radiation from the soil, so they are becoming a symbol of regeneration.

Kabutomushi and rhinocerous beetles, Fukushima

 カブトムシを捕まえたかったから絵で描いたよ。１匹はヘラクレスオオカブト、もう１匹はグラントオオカブトだよ。　　

Yu is aged 5 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan

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 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.

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.

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.

Picking wild mushrooms キノコ狩り

アイちゃんは7歳。福島第一原発から33キロ南のいわき市に住んでいる。
カゴを片手にキノコ狩りをしている様子を想像し、自画像の背景を飾ってくれた。

彼女の置かれた状況
アイちゃんのご両親は、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。

Ai is 7 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima, 33km south of Fukushima Daiichi

In her picture she is holding a basket of wild mushrooms that she has imagined picking.

Her situation
Her 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.

Me and the birds

リサちゃんは5歳、福島県郡山市に住んでいる。

彼女の置かれた状況
アイちゃんのご両親は、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。

Risa is 5 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. 

By the river 川のほとりで

 

マナカちゃん7歳。福島第一原発から60キロ西の須賀川市中通りに住んでいる。

Manaka is 7 and lives in Sukagawa-shi, Nakadori, Fukushima, 60km west of Fkushima Daiichi.

Safety and pleasure 安全で楽しい未来を

ミサちゃんは福島県柳津町に住む10歳。
「みんなが楽しく、安心してくらせる未来をつくろう」と書いてくれた。

Misa is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. Her writing says "Making a future where everyone can live with safety and pleasure."

彼女の置かれた状況
2011年3月11日に起こった原発事故に加え、この絵が描かれた数週間後には、郡山市から出た640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反して彼の住む村にこっそり遺棄されたとテレビが報じた。そして7月29日、豪雨により村は洪水に襲われた。

Her situation
As well as living with the nuclear accident of 11th March 2011, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near her village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley - the river in her picture.
 

Don't dirty the earth 地球を汚さないで

マユちゃんは11歳、福島県柳津町在住。
「地球をよごさないできれいに。大自然にしよう。」
二つに割れたハートの間から、緑の芽が発芽している様子が描かれている。

Mayu is 11 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. Her writing says "Don't dirty the earth. Let's clean it. Let's make big nature." Notice the broken hearts with green shoots sprouting in them.

彼女の置かれた状況
2011年3月11日に起こった原発事故に加え、この絵が描かれた数週間後には、郡山市から出た640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反して彼の住む村にこっそり遺棄されたとテレビが報じた。そして7月29日、豪雨により村は洪水に襲われた。

As well as living with the nuclear accident of 11th March 2011, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near her village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

A future of solar power and peace ソーラーパワーと平和な未来

リクトくん11歳、福島県の柳津町在住。
「ぼくたちの未来では電気すべてソーラーパネルでつける。そして平和にくらしている。」

Rikuto is 11 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima. On his picture he wrote "All electricity is from solar panels in our future. And we are living in peace." 

彼の置かれた状況
2011年3月11日に起こった原発事故に加え、この絵が描かれた数週間後には、郡山市から出た640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反して彼の住む村にこっそり遺棄されたとテレビが報じた。そして7月29日、豪雨により村は洪水に襲われた。

As well as living with the nuclear accident of 11th March 2011, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near his  village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood of the river in his picture  hit the valley.

Energy and health for ever 持続性のあるエネルギーと健康を

福島県柳津町在住のタマミちゃんは10歳。「みんながいつまでも元気でいられる未来をつくろうよ」と書いてくれた。

Tamami is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima. Her writing says "Shall we make a future where we can live with energy and health for ever?"

彼女の置かれた状況
2011年3月11日に起こった原発事故に加え、この絵が描かれた数週間後には、郡山市から出た640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反して彼の住む村にこっそり遺棄されたとテレビが報じた。そして7月29日、豪雨により村は洪水に襲われた。

As well as living with the nuclear accident of 11th March 2011, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near her  village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood of the river in her picture  hit the valley.

The precious gift of the earth 大切な地球の宝物

つかさちゃんは福島県柳津町に住む10歳。「大自然に囲まれてるすてきな未来」「私は大人になって地球をよごしたりしたくない。だからみんなで地球を大切にする」と書いてくれた。

Tsukasa is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. The writng on her picture says "A wonderful future surrounded by enormous nature. I don't want to make the earth dirty when I become an adult.
We need to look after the precious gift of the earth together."

彼女の置かれた状況
2011年3月11日に起こった原発事故に加え、この絵が描かれた数週間後には、郡山市から出た640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反して彼の住む村にこっそり遺棄されたとテレビが報じた。そして7月29日、豪雨により村は洪水に襲われた。

Her Situation
As well as the nuclear accident of 11th March 2011, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near her  village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

I really like Japan

Yuta is 11 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima. His writing says "I really like Japan."

As well as the nuclear accident of 11.3.11, a few weeks after this drawing was made it was reported on TV that 640 tons of highly radioactive sewage waste from Koriyama had been secretly dumped near the village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

The ocean's floating creatures

Nozumi is 6 years old