Representatives of Fukushima residents’ associations visit Hiroshima, consider post-disaster reconstruction
Oct. 15, 2013
by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer
On October 9, 28 representatives of the residents’ associations of Fukushima City visited Hiroshima to seek steps to help promote the recovery of Fukushima Prefecture, which is still adversely affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. They toured Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and listened to the account of an A-bomb survivor.
The participants are the heads of the residents’ associations of the 28 districts that make up the city of Fukushima. Hiroshima was chosen as the destination of their annual study tour.
After visiting the museum, they met with Toshiyuki Mimaki, 71, secretary-general of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi. Mr. Mimaki talked about the discrimination suffered by A-bomb survivors, the harmful rumors they contended with, and their lives through the postwar period. He also explained how the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Act was enacted.
Mr. Mimaki said, “Y0ur experiences of the accident, and the actions you have taken since then, should be recorded, and you should continue to seek assistance from the central government.” One representative from Fukushima asked Mr. Mimaki about the driving force behind Hiroshima’s reconstruction.
Hiroo Kanno, 71, chair of the Fukushima residents’ associations, said, “Fukushima’s rehabilitation is still nowhere in sight. We should learn from Hiroshima and persevere in our appeals to the central government for support.” On October 10, the group from Fukushima will visit the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Minami Ward, Hiroshima, and the city of Yamaguchi, with which Fukushima has a mutual agreement to provide support in times of disaster.
(Originally published on October 10, 2013)
On October 9, 28 representatives of the residents’ associations of Fukushima City visited Hiroshima to seek steps to help promote the recovery of Fukushima Prefecture, which is still adversely affected by the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 (Daiichi) nuclear power plant. They toured Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and listened to the account of an A-bomb survivor.
The participants are the heads of the residents’ associations of the 28 districts that make up the city of Fukushima. Hiroshima was chosen as the destination of their annual study tour.
After visiting the museum, they met with Toshiyuki Mimaki, 71, secretary-general of the Hiroshima Prefectural Confederation of A-bomb Sufferers Organizations, chaired by Sunao Tsuboi. Mr. Mimaki talked about the discrimination suffered by A-bomb survivors, the harmful rumors they contended with, and their lives through the postwar period. He also explained how the Hiroshima Peace Memorial City Construction Act was enacted.
Mr. Mimaki said, “Y0ur experiences of the accident, and the actions you have taken since then, should be recorded, and you should continue to seek assistance from the central government.” One representative from Fukushima asked Mr. Mimaki about the driving force behind Hiroshima’s reconstruction.
Hiroo Kanno, 71, chair of the Fukushima residents’ associations, said, “Fukushima’s rehabilitation is still nowhere in sight. We should learn from Hiroshima and persevere in our appeals to the central government for support.” On October 10, the group from Fukushima will visit the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Minami Ward, Hiroshima, and the city of Yamaguchi, with which Fukushima has a mutual agreement to provide support in times of disaster.
(Originally published on October 10, 2013)
