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?

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.

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 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.

A prayer for my children 我が子らの為の祈り

3歳のハルトは三人兄弟の末っ子。家は福島第一原発から33km南の福島県いわき市にある。彼はお気に入りの色でオレンジと線を描いた（絵右側）。ハルトくんの母親は祈りを込めて自身の両手と、息子を包むように広がる宇宙を描いてくれた。
ハルトの母親は、3月11日の地震と原発事故の体験を以下のように綴ってくれた。

私は、福島県のいわき市に住んでいます。
３月１１日のあの日から生活は一変しました。
あの日、私は家にいました。とても大きな揺れを感じ
３歳の息子を抱え、急いで下校途中の娘のところへ走りました。
家を出てからも揺れはおさまるばかりか激しく揺れ続けました。
それは、歩けないほどでした。
５歳の息子を幼稚園に迎えにいき、家に戻ると雪が激しく降って
きました。不気味な天気でした。
いつでも逃げられるよう、荷造りをして家族みんなで同じ部屋で
余震におびえながら数日をすごしました。
ラジオやテレビからは、震災の被害が次々と映し出され、原発からは
信じられない状況が目に飛び込んできました。
私たちは混乱しました。ガソリンスタンドは長蛇の列。お店はどこも
開いていない。まちの広報車は、窓はもちろん換気扇、エアコンも
つけないよう、極力外に出ないように、路地野菜は食べないようにと
広報して走っています。水もでないのに、外にも出れない。ありえな
い状況でした。
放射能の事は全く知識がありませんでしたので、何が正しいのかも
判断できませんでした。
それから私は、いろいろな講演会に行ったり、インターネットで調べ
たりしましたが、どれがベストなのか、いまだにわかりません。
でもわかったこともあります。それは、原発はもういらないという
こと。原発の問題だけではなく、農薬、大気汚染などの問題。　　
私たちは生活を見直さなければならないということ。
いろいろな人に支えられて生きているということ。
私たちに、日本中、世界中のかたが温かい手を差し伸べてくれていま
す。本当に感謝でいっぱいです。
こどもの未来を思うとどれが正しいのかわかりませんが、私にでき
ることは地球がかがやきを失わないよう、祈り、自分に出来ることを
続けて行きたいと思います。

Haruto is 3 and lives in Iwaki, Fukushima, 33km south of Fukushima Daichi with his brother  and sister. He chose his colour and drew the orange and the lines on the right. His mother drew her hands in prayer and the universe around them.


His mother wrote the following about the family's experiences of March 11ths earthquake and nuclear disaster:

"I live in Iwaki, Fukushima. Our life has completely changed since March 11th.  I was at home that day. When I felt the massive tremour, I hurriedly took my 3 years old son in my arms and dashed to meet my daughter who was on her way back home from her school. The shaking became even bigger after I left home, so that I could hardly walk properly. Then I went to fetch my 5 year old son from kindergarten. When I returned home, snow started to fall heavily. It was disquieting weather. I packed essential things so that we could run if something happened. We gathered together as a family in one room and slept together for several days, scared by the continuous after shocks.

Dreadful scenes kept being reported by the media every day and the nuclear power plant was in an unbelievable state. We were panicked. People made long lines for petrol and no stores were working. A car with a loudspeaker was going around telling residents not to open windows, not to use ventilation fans or air-conditioners, and also not to go out or eat garden-grown vegetables. We were not able to go out, even though the water supply had stopped. It was an impossible situation. Since we didn’t have accurate information about radiation, we had no idea how to make the right decision about what to do.

Since the 3.11 disasters, I have been attending many different lectures to try to learn about the nuclear issue and radiation, and also through the internet, but I still don’t know what is correct. What I learned from the disaster is that we do not want nuclear power plants any more. We do not want pesticides or air pollution too. I learned that we all have to reconsider our life style. I learned that we are supported by many others. Many people in Japan and people from all over the world have given us help and warmth. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

I still don’t know what the best decision is when I consider my children’s future. However, I would like to keep praying for the earth to stay clean and do what I can towards that."

I think our future is not nuclear generation - it is wind power

シゲノリは11歳。福島県の柳津町に住んでいる。

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、郡山市から排出された640トンもの高濃度汚染水が、自治体の希望に反してシゲノリくん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。

Shigenori is 11 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture.

Her writing on the picture says "Everybody's future.
In the future everyone can get on well. I think our future is not nuclear generation - it is wind power

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.  

I hope the future will be like this 未来がこんなだったらな

リョウマくんは10歳。福島県の柳津町に住んでいる。
Ryouma is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture

リョウマくんは肖像画に「未来がこんなだったらな」と書いてくれた。
His writing on the picture says "I hope the future will be like this."

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。
His 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 his village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

I hope I can live to make it

リュウキは11歳。福島県の柳津町に住んでいる。
Ryuki is 11 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture.

彼は自分の肖像画に、「日本が太陽の熱で電気を作って生きていけたらいいなぁ」と書いてくれた。
His writing on the picture says "Japan with solar powered electricity - I hope I can live to make it."

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。
His 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 his village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

Now the earth is anxious and troubled. What can we do about it? 今、地球はなやみつづけています。ぼくにいったいなにが出来るのだろう？

彼は10歳。福島県の柳津町に住んでいる。
He is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture.

今、地球はなやみつづけています。ぼくにいったいなにが出来るのだろう？
His writing on the picture says "Now the earth is anxious and troubled. What can we do about it?!"

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。
His 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 his village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

This is a nation where everyone helps each other 力を合わせて、ともに前に進もう！

 

ハルトは10歳、福島県柳津町に住んでいる。
Haruto is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture.

ハルトくんは絵に「力を合わせて、ともに前に進もう！地球を守る。だからきれいにする。そしてみんなが助け合う」と言葉を添えてくれた。言葉は風船にも書かれ、その風船をつけて誰かが空を飛んでいる。
His writing on the picture says "Let's go forwards by working together. Protecting the earth, so we are cleaning it. This is a nation where everyone helps each other." Someone is flying by holding onto balloons with these words on them.

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。
His 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 his village against the wishes of the council. Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

Making a beautiful future with more wind power and less nuclear 風力発電を増やして原子力発電を減らし、美しい未来を作ろう

 

フミヒタくんは10歳、福島県の柳津町に住んでいる。

「風力発電を多くしよう」「自分たちでうつくしい未来をつくろう」「原子力はつでんをすくなくしよう」と書いてくれた。
Humihita is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture.  His writing on the picture says "Let's increase wind power. Let's make a beautiful future by ourselves. Let's decrease nuclear power plants."

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。
His 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 his village against the wishes of the council.Then on 29th July, a major flood  hit the valley.

The world is no good now 世の中は今は良くないけど…

コウタくんは10歳、福島県柳津在住。
「世の中は今、良くないけど、太陽の力そして水の力を借りて地球をきれいにしよう！！」

Kota is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. His writing on the picture says "The world is no good now. Let's clean the earth by borrowing sunshine power and water power!!"

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。

His 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.

Making a safe future 安全な未来を作る

サラちゃん10歳、福島県柳津市在住。
「みんなが安心してくらせる未来をつくるんだ」

Sara is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. Her writing says "Making a future where everyone can live safely."

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.  

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.

I wish that nuclear power will disappear 未来は原発がなくなるように

のぶひろくん10歳、福島県柳津在住。
「未来は原発がなくなるように」と願いを書いてくれた。

Nobuhiro is 10 and is from Yanaizu, Fukushima prefecture. His writing says "I wish that nuclear power will disappear in the future."

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  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.

Making a future of health and energy - Fukushima children

Yané is 10 and lives in Yanaizu, Fukushima-ken.
Her writing on the picture says "This train makes everyone genki." And  "Making a future where everyone can live with safety and genki." (genki means full of health and energy)

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.