An Appeal for Fukushima’s Children
As a response to the ‘letter from a Fukushima mother‘ from May 25, and on behalf of the school children who are the future of Fukushima, we are thinking of sending the letter around with an accompanying statement of support. The text here will be edited to reflect the current version as it gels. If you have ideas for this, or for places we should send a copy or just want to add your voice, put it in the comments. You’ll need an email address to comment, but it’s just so we can minimize comment spam. We’ll work out a petition-style approach for the future.
Here’s the current draft:
We are people from across the world drawn together in shared concern for the suffering of the people of Japan, first from the earthquake and tsunami, and now from the continuing nuclear emergency at Fukushima Daiichi. We have followed news reports, press releases, and both official and private radiation readings taken in areas outside the boundaries of the evacuation zone.
It is clear to us that people living in Fukushima city and some surrounding areas are being subjected to abnormally high levels of radiation. Parents of children in local schools are protesting after the discovery of levels of radiation significantly higher than those officially recorded. (New York Times 28th May 2011)We note that the original limit of 3.8 microsieverts per hour for children’s exposure in school playgrounds has been supplemented by a non-binding target to reduce such exposure considerably, and that local authorities, now government funded, are planning to remove or bury contaminated topsoil found in school playgrounds.
In our view these laudable efforts are insufficient to protect the children. At school and elsewhere, the air they breathe, the water they drink, the food they eat and the environment in which they live all pose a grave risk to long-term health. This risk is not reducing.
For as long as the reactors at Daiichi remain unstable radiation will continue to pour out of the plant, to be blown by the wind and to leak into the groundwater and sea. Now the typhoon season has started, and the risk of widespread contamination increases.
No child should be expected to live in such an environment. Every child has a right to safe air, food, and water, and to be able to walk, run and play outdoors without wearing a mask and without fear.
Every child has a right to trust that adults will keep them from harm. This special responsibility falls not only on parents but on other adults too, especially those in government. The children and parents in the affected areas need you, the Government of Japan, to defend them. This is your most important responsibility and must be your top priority.
We have recently seen a letter from a mother in Fukushima who has appealed for support to persuade the Government of Japan to take strong action. We write in response to that appeal. We stand with her and with other parents in saying this situation must not continue as it is now. Confidence building measures such as radiation readings at school and the screening of children are not sufficient. The situation is too grave and the threat too immediate.
If necessary the affected schools must be relocated or closed, and the children and their families moved to safer areas. We know this is hard. But it must be faced. There are precedents in the UK and elsewhere. As a government you have emergency powers at your disposal. Unfortunately it is not in your power to immediately stop further radiation from spreading, but you can take strong and decisive action to prevent further harm to your most vulnerable citizens. We urge you to do so immediately.
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Mid Valley here.
UKVal and radioguy, great job. thank you for your work here & on the blog. I stumbled on a press release list the other day, I will look at it again and post list in a comment here on simplyinfo, we will need to sign up at some news sights, i can help w/that if needed. I suggest we also send to Japan emperor, prime mister, and regulatory bodies. Let me know if address have not yet been gathered and I will see what i can do. Here are some edit suggestions (I’ve only included paragraphs where i edited):
(great first paragraph) We have recently seen a letter from a mother in Fukushima who has appealed for support to persuade the Government of Japan to take strong action. We write in response to that appeal. We stand with her and with other parents in saying this situation must not continue as it is now. Confidence building measures such as radiation readings at school and the screening of children are not sufficient. The situation is too grave and the threat too immediate.
(second paragraph –allowing focus on mom, with introduction to group) We are people from across the world drawn together in shared concern for the suffering of the people of Japan, first from the earthquake and tsunami, and now from the continuing nuclear emergency at Fukushima Daiichi. We have followed news reports, press releases, and both official and private radiation readings taken in areas outside the boundaries of the evacuation zone.
(Delete: If necessary) The affected schools must be relocated or closed, and the children and their families moved to safer areas. We know this is hard. (Replacement sentence But these issues it must be faced to protect residents and future generations.) There are precedents in the (spell out United Kingdom) and elsewhere. As a government you have emergency powers at your disposal. Unfortunately it is not in your power to immediately stop further radiation from spreading, but you can take strong and decisive action to prevent further harm to your most vulnerable citizens. We urge you to do so immediately.
My Suggestions:
Since May 11, 2011 more than 500,000 people in Japan have been displaced due the catastrophic effects from the Tohoku Earthquake, Tsunami and Level 7 Nuclear Accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company’s [TEPCo] Fukukshima Daiichi Nuclear Plant in Okumamachi.
Tomoko Hatsuzawa (a mother living 60 kilometers from the TEPCo Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant) after first apologizing “for the uranium and plutonium that Japan has released into the environment” has appealed “to the people of the United States and around the world” to “speak out against the Japanese government. Pressure them into taking action. Tell them to make protecting children their top priority.” In honor of the Children of Japan and in support of Tomoko Hatsuzawa We respectfully submit this petition to . . .
Thanks- a great job! The only suggestion I have is to replace ‘reducing’ with receding. A moving and powerful message,
As I’ve been unavoidably awol, I’m afraid I don’t know where to email/sign letter. I have 3 people and myself to add, so far.
This website lists 50 plus web sites for press release. Some need registration. Some suggested web site do no apply to this cause. Comments on this page, list additional web sites. If help is needed to register, let me know. D
http://www.avangate.com/articles/press-release-distribution_69.htm
Please help children in Fukushima.
Unbelievable Comment by Dr. Yamashita