Memorial for Great East Japan Earthquake, 12 years after Fukushima nuclear accident

Fukushima: “the fact that 30,000 evacuees still cannot return home shows how horrible nuclear power is”

On March 11, the 12th anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear accident, citizens of Fukushima Prefecture took to the street to collect signatures for petitions against the discharge of ALPS-treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean as well as against the Kishida Cabinet’s policy to promote nuclear power energy. The action was called for by the Koriyama joint center for revitalization.

Twenty-five people, including members of Fukushima Jichiroren head office and the Koriyama City Workers’ Union, took turns sending out the following messages to passers-by in front of a train station:

－We’ll never allow the Kishida Cabinet to change its policies as if it has forgotten the Fukushima nuclear accident.

－Prevent the ‘Nuclear Village’* from coming back into existence.

*’Nuclear village’ is a critical term referring to a group of the nuclear industry, parliamentarians, bureaucrats, media and academics who promote nuclear power.

　－The fact that as many as 30,000 evacuees still cannot return home shows how horrible nuclear power is.

　－Nuclear power costs enormously.

　－It is essential to cut off the source of contaminated water.

　－Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) cannot be trusted to manage the water discharge for a long period of time.

　－TEPCO’s documents say that 70% of the water is still in the process of being treated.

They collected 86 signatures and offered a moment of silence at the end.

Iwate: “Lights for Prayer 2023 – Convey, Connect, Support each other”

An event to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, “Lights for Prayer 2023 – Convey, Connect, Support each other,” was held on March 11 at a square in front of the Morioka History and Culture Museum. Members of Iwate Jichiroren took part in the event, which was hosted by the conference of the mayors in the Greater Morioka Area, comprising eight municipalities including Morioka City and Shizukuishi Town.

The Lights for Prayer event has been held annually on March 11 since 2012 as an occasion to pray for the souls of those who died in the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, for peace of mind of those who have been affected, and for the recovery of the disaster-hit areas. It has encouraged its participants to think about reconstruction and pledge to continue their support to make sure that the future of the disaster-stricken areas and the victims is hopeful.

About 10,000 lanterns, handmade by citizens’ volunteer groups, were laid out in the square. Students from Kozukata High School sang in a memorial chorus.

Following the lighting of lanterns by Morioka City Mayor Hiroaki Fujitani and others, a survivor from the disaster in Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture, spoke, “I still remember the horror of the tsunami. With lifelong friends I met in Morioka, I try to look ahead and move forward.” As candles were lit by citizen volunteers at 5:00 p.m., participants silently prayed for the souls of the victims.