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.

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.

Everybody has wings - Fukushima child evacuee

Ami is 10. She evacuated from Minamisoma on the coast of Fukushima, 25km (16m) north of Fukushima Daichi, with her sister and mother 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 says:
Everybody has wings (on the splash of tea from the pink cup)
Everybody together (small splash top left)
Higher than that sun (bottom writing)


Scroll down for writing by Ami, hers sister Sato, and their mother Atsuko in English and Japanese

福島県で被災した親子

Dates
亜美、瑳都、敦子、

３．１１
福島県南相馬市にて被災。
知り合いが、福島第一原子力発電所の危険を知らせてくれる。

３．１２
川俣町で駐車泊。

３．１３
福島市飯坂に避難。
温泉につかりながら、日々模索。

４．２
友達に協力してもらい、京都に避難。

４．４
木津川市に引っ越す。

A poem

３．１１いこう

３．１１いこう、私たちは地震の怖さを知りました。
私たちは、津波の力を知りました。
私たちは、放射能汚染に対する無知さを知りました。
私たちは、普段の生活の大切さを知りました。
私たちは、人々の心の温かさを知りました。

自然に対する人間の無力さに打ちのめされながら、
自然に生かされている感謝の心を知りました。

私たちはこれからも、力強く生きていきます。
みなさんに支えられている、この命のある限り。

福島県で被災した親子

Dates
By Ami, Sato and their mother Atsuko

On the 11th of March 2011
We were hit by the disaster at Minamisoma City in Fukushima.
An acquaintance told us about the dangerous condition of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

On the 12th of March
We slept overnight in the car.

On the 13th of March
We evacuated to Fukushima-city’s Iizaka area.
We thought for days and days, while soaking in hot springs.

On the 2nd of April
We evacuated to Kyoto with a friend’s help.

On the 4th of April
We moved to Kizugawa-city in Kyoto.

A poem

Going to 3.11

Going to 3.11, we realized our fear of the earthquake
We realized the power of the Tsunami.
We realized our ignorance about radioactive contamination.
We realized the importance of our ordinary daily life.
We realized people’s warm heartedness and kindness.

We were suffering because of human powerlessness against nature. Nevertheless, we realized our appreciation that nature enables us to live.

We keep living strongly.
We are supported as long as we continue our lives.

        
       By a mother and children, victims of Fukushima.

Click to see Ami's sister Sato's picture

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.

The careful fold - Fukushima evacuee origami 丹念に折る‐福島避難者の折り紙

ワカちゃんは7歳。折り紙が大好きな彼女は、お気に入りの動物や木などの折り紙を絵にしてくれた。ワカちゃんの好きな娯楽は工芸品作りで、いろいろな手段や道具を使って作るのが特に好きだと、たやすいことのように言った。彼女はまだ小学校一年生だが、名字も名前も漢字で書ける。彼女の平仮名は流れるようで洗練されており、とても小さな子どもが書いたものとは思えない。

Waka is 7. She drew the origami animals, plants and objects she likes to make. Waka said that easily her favourite pastime is doing crafts, especially when it is “All mixed up,” (using several different mediums to make something). She is only in first grade, but she wrote both her first and last names in kanji. Her hiragana script is fluid and elegant--not at all like a young child’s.

彼女の置かれた状況：
彼女が住んでいたのは福島第一原発から33キロ離れたいわき市。2011年3月11日に地震、津波そして原発事故の被害を受けた場所である。彼女は家族と共に自主避難した。
ワカちゃんは現在、妹と母親の三人で東京のアパートで暮らしている。同じくいわき市から避難してきた近所の友達ができた。毎朝、二人で仲良く連れだって学校に通っている。
Her situation
She was living in Iwaki, 33km south of Fukushima Daichi at the time of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of 11th March 2011. Her family self-evacuated. Waka-chan now lives with her little sister and her mother in an apartment in Tokyo. She has made friends with another family from Iwaki who live nearby. Every morning, she and her friends enjoy walking to school together.

母親の言葉：
ワカは素直で前向きな心を持った子。いつか子供時代の出来事が過去になる日が来る。そうすれば彼女は大丈夫。彼女には自信を持って歩いて欲しい。私達はいつだって応援しているからね。
Her mother's writing:
"Waka has an honest and positive spirit. The day will come when she’ll leave her childhood behind, and she’ll be just fine! We want her to have confidence! We’re always supportive of her." 

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.

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.

Fukushima evacuee playing Nintendo 任天堂ＤＳで遊ぶ福島から避難した子ども

東京で開催された福島避難者を対象にしたチャリティイベント会場で、静かに任天堂ＤＳに熱中する小学生の女の子。この日は時間が足らず、彼女との共同制作には至らなかった。

This primary school aged girl was playing her DS quietly at a support event for Fukushima evacuees in Tokyo. This is a quick ordinary drawing - there was no time left to collaborate that day.

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.

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.

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.

The moment of splitting

わたしは、まきわりがたのしかったからこのえをかきました。とくに空とふうけいをたいせつにしようと思いました。
"It was fun for me to cut wood, that’s why I draw this picture. Seeing the sky and the view are important in this picture."
Otoha is 8 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.

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

Cutting the air: sword children

チャンバラで１かいあそんで見たら楽しかったから
"It was great fun for me to play with a wooden sword."
Itsuki, 7, Koriyama, Fukushima

Itsuki has drawn his friend playing at sword fighting with him during a summer camp designed to give children respite from high radiation areas

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.

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.