Fukushima “you can’t go back to normal”

FoE Japan, in cooperation with the NGO Peace Boat have launched a new video testimony of the current situation in Fukushima in various languages.

This video features an interview with Mr Konno Sumiko, who evacuated from his home in the town of Namie, Fukushima. It is being released in English, French, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, German and Spanish, adding to the original Japanese.

“Almost no one is coming back to this district anymore,” says Mr Konno standing in front of his former house, located around 10 km from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. “There are no young people, at all.”

When asked what he thinks of the word “Fukkou” (recovery or reconstruction) being used by the government as a slogan including for the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mr Konno says: “That’s the last thing I want to hear. I don’t want to hear words like “bonding” or “recovery.” They are not words that should be used loosely. Fukkou is about things getting back to normal, and then standing up and starting again. There’s no such thing as Fukkou when you can’t go back to normal, and when you can’t rise up again.”

Additional videos:

• Video Testimonies from Fukushima in 7 Languages: Konno Sumio, who evacuated from Namie Town in Fukushima Prefecture
• Video Testimonies from Fukushima in 7 Languages: Mr Sugeno Seiji, farming organically in Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Video Testimonies from Fukushima in 7 Languages: The story of a mother returning to Fukushima, after several years in evacuation with her children