Letter from a Fukushima mother

reply to post by Brown Bear

Nice letter, but I'm curious, if a Japanese person can write so well in English, and is as concerned as expressed for the children, why are they still living w/i a thousand miles of ground zero? Seems like anybody with any sense at all would have scrammed out of the area long before this, wouldn't they? If for nothing more then just to beat the rush that's surely coming. Staying put and blaming the government (or anybody else) seems too much like cutting off your nose to spite your face, and the walking dead doing it to themselves deserve little sympathy. If the Japanese Lemmings can't or won't stand up to their own government to demand their basic human rights then what's the point of asking non-Japanese for help

Until recent events, my wife and I lived in Iwaki, Fukushima. We have a very nice house there, but have left to return to the U.S. Fortunately, I have surplus disposable income, and was able to afford to leave Japan and buy a new place to live in the U.S.

However, many Japanese are not so fortunate and do not have the luxury of extra money. They are stuck there, and have no options to get out. I tend to think it is not safe anywhere in Japan, but I am an alarmist.

Others, such as my wife's aunt and uncle, are farmers in Iwaki, and have stayed to protest. Iwaki was once a very fertile agricultural region for Japan.

I don't know if this lady is a scam or not, but calling the Japanese lemmings is not fair. How many people in other countries wallow in their local disasters while whining for assistance. How many folks have refused to leave disaster areas. There are fires and floods happening in the U.S. as I type, and evacuation orders have been given. However, some folks just sit at home and hope the helicopter will come at the last minute.

reply to post by ThousandIslandSunny


Everything you mentioned comes down to money.

Not enough money for the train....
Not enough money to move to the United States.....
Have a mortgage to pay.....
A job in Tokyo......

etc., etc., etc.

We have the same financial obligations in the United States. I have a family to feed, a job to work so I can pay for food, two small children, a mortgage, and I live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant.

Here's the thing, and I am sorry if this is harsh --

When happens if you get sick or God forbid die from radiation poisoning. Who's going to pay your mortgage then?

I said -- RUN!
You said, I can't due to the above obligations.

You are talking about life. Not money. Not commitments. Not luxury. LIFE!!

I would have -- and will if it happens here -- run like hell and worry about how I am going to pay for everything later. If you are dead, worrying about paying for food and a house is a little ridiculous, no?

reply to post by Brown Bear

Nice letter, but I'm curious, if a Japanese person can write so well in English, and is as concerned as expressed for the children, why are they still living w/i a thousand miles of ground zero?

I forget to mention that I have met very few Japanese people who cannot write so well in English.

The letter is actually a translation by a New York Times reporter based in Japan. She provided the English translation, and pictures of the original on her Twitter, here.

reply to post by ofhumandescent

For what its worth.

I would not rule out a master plan. I could imagine people with overblown opinions of their importance deciding on who should live and how. Black ops like HARRP are a real possibility. We know enough to know its real just not how far its use goes or how far its users will go.

There is one main thing that stops me from putting these up as main suspects. Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately. I would see a power struggle to be number one amongst these people getting in the way of any master plan and factions forming, plan failing.

An electric motor is pretty much also a generator. The faster you spin it the more back EMF builds in the coil and ultimately limits the speed no matter how much power you pump in. I see a simular effect with groups of people.

Don’t know if any of that made sense to you.

I also know that we, humans believe we have more influence on how our life pans out and fool ourselves that we are in control.

We used to believe that these disasters were because we had done something to upset some God. Now we believe it is some evil group like say the Illuminate are involved. The simple truth is we are not in control of anything, we are fire-fighters at best. We strive for answers when the simple truth is probably that’s life.

Nature will always be the deciding factor and as far as our short time here is concerned will always be the overwhelming power in our lives. This planet does not need us, the universe is more than likely not even aware of us. Life is just a by product of something we will never understand. That’s the fun, that’s the terror.

I do believe that fear and hatred controls us and is used by others to do just that.

If you think any of the above made sense or was of any value your obviously as mad as me or drunk or both

reply to post by lpowell0627


I agree with you, because I have run like hell, but I have the resources. So many don't have the resources to run, and then it's a question of where to go. The U.S. is offering expedited visas to those affected in Japan, but that is not an offer of food and shelter. Once they get here, where will they go? I have 11 of them living with me in a 3 bedroom house, so I believe I am at capacity.

Originally posted by tamusan
reply to post by lpowell0627

 

I agree with you, because I have run like hell, but I have the resources. So many don't have the resources to run, and then it's a question of where to go. The U.S. is offering expedited visas to those affected in Japan, but that is not an offer of food and shelter. Once they get here, where will they go? I have 11 of them living with me in a 3 bedroom house, so I believe I am at capacity.

You are the example of what American culture used to represent. Sheltering those in need used to be the pride of America, now we all sit back and "let the government take care of it". Kudos to you and I hope more people follow your lead. Imagine that.... taking matters into our own hands with our own money...seems like a movement could be based on just those principles .

I agree that everything is easier with the necessary resources. Further, I wasn't suggesting that running requires coming to the United States. I was speaking more generally regarding our focus on money instead of the value of life.

No matter what a person's means, responsibilities, etc., I think the lesson learned was that the government will not protect you and whenever there is a nuclear accident: run like hell as far and as fast as you can. Perhaps you may go more hungry than you used to, but hunger is something only those still alive can feel.

Further, there are many shelters, food banks, etc., in the US....they don't ask any questions and many have a fairly steady supply of food that would allow for at least one decent meal per day. I know for me personally, I am always more eager to donate directly, i.e. A shelter, orphanage, etc., than I would be to go through a government-sponsored fundraiser. Why pay for red tape?

reply to post by lpowell0627


Let's forget the money, forget the children you say RUN. Run somewhere safe. That pretty much means abandon ship and leave the country. Forget how the manage to get off the islands. Some big things to forget but still.

Worst case scenario. 127,560,000 Japanese with probably Autralia or USA as their preffered targets.

NEW HEADLINES: Japanese invasion. In the US you moan about a few Mexican imigrants.The numbers would make that look insignificant. Australia restricts migrant numbers actively. How long before those two countries close their doors and all those you told to run turn to you and say what now mate?

What are you going to tell them then? Run back? Run in circles? My guess is you'd run shouting dont ask me.

reply to post by colin42


Haven't a clue............and I'm old enough and wise enough that the older I get the less I know.

My best friend of 38 years is an American Indian, her elders have said the Earth is a living, conscious entity and when she gets tired enough of the fleas (humanity) nipping and biting on her and sucking her blood, she is going to simply shake us off.

Could be simply another earthquake and a huge network of nuclear reactors were sitting in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

Could be HAARP

Could be Mother Earth is getting tired of humanity mucking with her

Who knows?

I'm not gullible but am open minded and reading everyone's opinions because while two heads are better than one, a thousand heads are even better.

Either way, it seems that with each decade more S is HTF faster and faster.

And no I'm not crazy or drunk unfortunately.

reply to post by ofhumandescent


Then I am definitely in your camp. I even have simular connections. My great grandfather was a native American for want of a better word witch doctor who opened a herbal shop in Rye Sussex.

The two stories are he came over with buffalo Bills circus and stayed and the other is he left the states soon after bighorn. Both of which I doubt but never having met him who knows for sure.

So people will pay for my airfare? Or will the airline let me and the children fly for free to the US? How about getting to Narita? The train fare will be waived, or will the ticket guard ask me to pay? When I get to the US, they will presumably give me a tourist visa, stay for 90 days? I take it my kids can go to school on that visa? They are entitled to free medical care, right? 1 meal a day? For a child? So starve, malnourished? Where are these food banks? So shelters will give me and my children somewhere to live, for free? Somewhere safe? Same for other things like toiletries and clothes. Great. Ill come to the US, I can work there on a tourist visa right?

YES it does all come down to money, because however unsavoury it is you cant do # without it

Stupid, stupid stupid.

reply to post by tamusan


A star for your kindness and taking action. I hope the mods give you several applauses and good fortune shines upon you.

You sound like a very kind person.

Earth needs a lot more people like you.

Pretty sad is a bit of an understatement.
I know from your posts that you are a very humane person,
Please keep on giving us the updates of this tragedy and the also world financial developments (another one of your specialist topics)

PEACE,
RK

Originally posted by Brown Bear
reply to post by Vitchilo

 

Nice letter, but I'm curious, if a Japanese person can write so well in English, and is as concerned as expressed for the children, why are they still living w/i a thousand miles of ground zero?

Seems like anybody with any sense at all would have scrammed out of the area long before this, wouldn't they? If for nothing more then just to beat the rush that's surely coming.

Staying put and blaming the government (or anybody else) seems too much like cutting off your nose to spite your face, and the walking dead doing it to themselves deserve little sympathy.

If the Japanese Lemmings can't or won't stand up to their own government to demand their basic human rights then what's the point of asking non-Japanese for help?

edit on 4-6-2011 by Brown Bear because: add content

edit on 4-6-2011 by Brown Bear because: (no reason given)

congrats on one of the most ignorant posts in awhile.
I almost want to say "you can't be serious".. But i know you are.

Troubling.

Blessings upon all effected by their shady ass governments.

reply to post by Rigel Kent


And let us know how we can help.

Originally posted by colin42
reply to post by lpowell0627

 

Let's forget the money, forget the children you say RUN. Run somewhere safe. That pretty much means abandon ship and leave the country. Forget how the manage to get off the islands. Some big things to forget but still.

There were people that remained within 30 miles of this plant because the government said they were safe. Surely you see the difference between being 30 miles from the epicenter of disaster versus 500 miles away.

Worst case scenario. 127,560,000 Japanese with probably Autralia or USA as their preffered targets.

Worry about the other 127,559,999 later. I was responding to a particular person, located apparently in Japan, that has a family and is claiming he/she can not run due to financial obligations. Obviously, it would not be feasible for the entire population of Japan to relocate easily, but I am talking about one family.

NEW HEADLINES: Japanese invasion. In the US you moan about a few Mexican imigrants.The numbers would make that look insignificant. Australia restricts migrant numbers actively. How long before those two countries close their doors and all those you told to run turn to you and say what now mate?

So what is your answer? To lie around complaining about the unfairness of the world and the improper reception you may receive? Why is it that people love to play victim?

If this was me, and this was my family, I wouldn't care one bit how well I was received in another country. Frankly, you could make yourself scarce in the United States and with a little planning, stay hidden for years before anyone even knew you were here. Hmmmm....going back to Japan after a couple of years, or remaining within weeks and months of the worst nuclear disaster in human history? Easy call for me.

It is painful to die from radiation poisoning. Frankly, again if this were the US and my family, I would rather cross the Mexican border and take my chances with the cartel and the government. Getting shot by the cartels would frankly be way less tragic of a death than from radiation poisoning or cancer in my opinion.

What are you going to tell them then? Run back? Run in circles? My guess is you'd run shouting dont ask me.

Finally -- you get my point.

You are darn right -- I would be runnning saying don't ask me. Because at that point, when faced with near certain death if you are located close enough to this power plant, there is no amount of red tape, financial obligations, mortgages, or the welcome I receive that would make me hesitate one minute.

Keep in mind, I live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant. A nuclear power plant deemed to be possibly the most dangerous in the country because it is built on a fault. (When built, they didn't know the fault was there and didn't take additional earthquake-proof measures that they would when building near an earthquake prone area.)

I have an emergency family plan should there ever be an accident at this plant. Nowhere in my plan does it say: pay mortgage, go to bank, check to see if I will be welcome....

Further, if you have seen any of my contributions to the various survival threads on ATS, you will know I am well prepared and fully willing and ready to leave my house within 8 minutes should the need arise.

reply to post by lpowell0627


Let me make this clear.

If I 'run', I do so as a woman with her children. My husband will not leave.

If I run, I have 50,000 yen at my disposal, and IF I can get the children out of this country against their father's express wishes, this is all the money I have.

50,000 yen doesnt buy me airfare.

50,000 yen doesnt feed us or shelter us for long.

50,000 yen doesnt get me far at all.

Physically run, using my legs, carrying the youngest on my back. What ten miles a day? No where to sleep. I WILL NOT DO that to the kids. Its totally irresponsible.

Lets say I by some miracle get the airfare together and get to the US, then what? Seriously. You need ID to get kids into schools, they need medical care, we need to eat, and we need shelter.

How the hell am I meant to do that on a tourist visa? How am I meant to work without a green card.

You are stupid, and insulting to think that if I could run and be out of here, that I wouldnt be long gone.

I asked an American family member to take my children for a while, they refused.

I asked family in other countries to help. They refused.

You have no idea what you are talking about. All I would get is deported, my husband would divorce me and I would wreck what life I have.

I would rather live anywhere but Japan right now, but this is my only option, so take your ill informed, superior exhortations to 'run', you privileged idiot, and stick them where the sun dont shine.

Originally posted by ThousandIslandSunny
reply to post by lpowell0627

 

Let me make this clear.

If I 'run', I do so as a woman with her children. My husband will not leave.

I am a woman. With children. There is nothing, not even my husband, that will stand in the way of me protecting my children. Period. We are talking about life and death -- not whether or not to eat out or stay in. My husband is not on board with a number of "warning signs" that I have considered to be the determining factor as to whether or not I leave where I am and "head to the hills". However, I have told him what they are, he knows where we are headed, and should he decide to, he may join us at any time.

If I run, I have 50,000 yen at my disposal, and IF I can get the children out of this country against their father's express wishes, this is all the money I have.

With so many blockades, it's no wonder you stay. I can make a million reasons why it would be difficult to leave my home behind with my children. But when faced with life or death -- to me, it becomes rather easy. Further, you are changing the story just a bit. The original conversation was regarding a home near / in Tokyo, a mortgage to pay, and other monetary issues. Again, even if you left and only got another 100 miles away. I would still argue, the further away, the better.

I would travel in opposite direction of the jet stream. And get as far as I could as fast as I could. My method is not for everyone. Nor am I judging you for the decision you are making. My comment was, and remains, there is nothing material in this world, including my husband, that would prevent me from leaving immediately.

Physically run, using my legs, carrying the youngest on my back. What ten miles a day? No where to sleep. I WILL NOT DO that to the kids. Its totally irresponsible.

Then perhaps you are not in danger of radiation. To me, and again this would be more sypathetically said face to face rather than on the Internet, but how irresponsible is it of you to remain where you are knowing the chance that your children will develop cancer or radiation poisioning? How irresponsible is it to feed them food and water that you know may potentially contain harmful levels of radiation? Or is this all for naught and the danger that I, and others, are concerned about is really not that bad?

BTW, The average person can walk about one mile every 15 minutes. Surely you could do more than 10 miles per day.

Lets say I by some miracle get the airfare together and get to the US, then what? Seriously. You need ID to get kids into schools, they need medical care, we need to eat, and we need shelter.

You are talking about sending the kids to school? I am beginning to wonder how serious this whole issue either really is or really is to you. Who the **** cares about school if you or your children are seriously ill or worse -- dead? Won't it seem a little ridiculous then to have worried about keeping up with their schoolwork?

If you are talking about the US, there are plenty of people with nothing that receive medical care and shelter and food. No, you will not be living at the Ritz. In fact, you may very well find yourself in a homeless shelter, feeding your children donated food, and dressing them in cast-offs. But again, we are talking about life or death, not attending the latest fashion show or worrying about social stigma.

You are stupid, and insulting to think that if I could run and be out of here, that I wouldnt be long gone.

I have been cordial and respectful of your opinion, please do the same.

I asked an American family member to take my children for a while, they refused.

Then ask again. There is another person on this site that has Japanese people living with him. Place ads on facebook, twitter, craigslist, etc. If there is something I can do, provide you with any information, I would be happy to and I am sure others would as well. Of course, any person would have to be checked out -- I wouldn't just send my children to a random family, but there are ways that that can be done.

You have no idea what you are talking about. All I would get is deported, my husband would divorce me and I would wreck what life I have.

But do you have a life? If you are living comfortably, not concerned with radiation, then stay. I am not there, so I only know what I see and hear about the levels of radiation and the widespread contamination. To me, that is no life.

The possibility exists that you may end up deported. However, the deportation process does not happen overnight and the way I see it -- any amount of time away from the highest levels of radiation is best.

I would rather live anywhere but Japan right now, but this is my only option, so take your ill informed, superior exhortations to 'run', you privileged idiot, and stick them where the sun dont shine.

Well, that's rather mature.

I apologize if you don't like my comments. And I am sorry that if putting the lives of my children ahead of worrying about my mortgage and a roof over my head is somehow disturbing to you.

If my willingness to live out of a tent in order to feel safe and breathe safe air is somehow making me 'superior' than so be it.

This will be the last time I come back to this site. Seriously, I never thought of Americans as ignorant before. I always thought how could such a successful country ever be populated by the judgemental and ignornant. I was clearly terribly wrong.

There is so much privilege in the USA that clearly some of you cannot conceive of a life without that privilege and freedom that it gives you. Clearly some of you never have known what it is to have gone through such a terrifyingly life threatening experience and then had to make this huge life changing decisions for children who you would readily lay your life down for, who you love more than anything. Decisions which could affect their imminent safety, their future, everything. A wrong decision and I could wreck their lives. Im profoundly aware of that, and it is terribly ignorant to suggest I am not.

I do not want to say my exact location online, you can understand that surely. Im a little under 200km away from the plants.

Once I leave, you think I have money to support us? Housing? I dont. There is no work, Ild be alone with two kids to find care for while I look for a job. Even then, Ild never be able to afford the downpayments on renting an apartment.

I dont feed them contaminated food or water to the best of my knowledge. I budget as well as I can, and we buy and drink and cook with and brush our teeth with imported mineral water. I only buy imported food, or food from places way to the south of Japan, or the extreme north. Im very careful about what my children eat.

Sorry, but YOU ARE being judgemental, and very offensive to suggest Im not doing everything in my power.

It is vicious to do so, and totally uncalled for.

Ten miles a day, in 35 degree heat and extreme humidity, with one child under 5. You would be lucky to do ten miles, and not go down with heat exhaution. You woudl do that to your kids? Sleep rough? Beg for food? Then you are not half the mother I am.

My children have to have a future, that means working, and being able to compete. When your weak little American kids are being mollycoddled mine are working 3 grades ahead in math and science. They are bilingual, and working on a third language. They have a childhood, but they understand what they will have to do to compete, to have a good life. So they never are so poor they cannot get on a plane and leave again. Also it is SO important when everything has been so scary, to keep a sense of normality. School is normality, so are lessons, clubs, social activities. The best thing I can do for them is be careful what they eat, monitor radiation in my area, not allow risky activities such as digging in sand, and keep things normal.


I dont need luxury, but my kids do need stability, and not to be living in a flipping tent, or a shelter with people that could hurt them in the short term. I am not prepared to break any other country's laws by working illegally, or by residing illegally. I do not want charity. If I had the opportunity to pay my own way and move, then I would.

Thing is, you arrogant woman, this is my LIFE, not a 'oh I would be so great in this situation' fantasy from a safe place. You can be as fake=polite as you wish, Ill not mince my words.

No point trying to educate the terminally ignorant and stupid, is there.

Now, be a dear, get lost with your vicious, passive agressive opinions, and hope that you manage to keep going, as I have been able to, if the # ever hits America. Its easy to talk a good fight, try actually doing it in reality

Now, seriously, goodbye all.

Here is some information regarding help for those in Japan that would choose to seek assistance and/or relocation:

Tina mattson, on March 14th, 2011 at 10:44 pm Said:
We would love to open up our home to a Japanese family. Please let us know how we can help

Mary Hediger, on March 15th, 2011 at 12:11 pm Said:
I too, have room to take in a Japanese family. Would love to help. Is the red cross doing anything like that? Putting families together?

Coco Cocozzella, on March 15th, 2011 at 3:27 pm Said:
Hi –
I live near Sacramento, CA and would be willing to host a Japanese family or individual that might need temporary housing. Is Red Cross aware if there are any efforts going on with having Japanese citizens in need being hosted in other countries?

Source: American Red Cross

There is also a Facebook page designated for Americans willing to help and / or host Japanese families:

U.S. Host Families For Victims of Japan's Earthquake

I only did a quick Google search, there may be better sites for contact information and such.