Before I leave my country Japan...

[Nienna]

I'm glad you are able to leave, Aya.

If I stay here radiation is going to accumulate in my body it will increase a chance of getting cancers and other horrible illnesses. And I know that I will not be able change anything even if I get involve in demonstrations and rebel activities, all I can do is to move forward and pull strings from the outside of the sinking ship if possible.

I appreciate everyone for being here and presenting the only way that I can lead for hope for the future.

I'm sorry to hear of the way that the people in Japan are (not) dealing with the very serious situation there.

I think that the only way you can help anyone there in Japan now is by your example - by leaving Japan.

Good luck on your trip to Canada.

 

[knowledge_of_self]

Hey Aya

I was thinking about you recently and what happened with you moving away- glad to hear you're going to be moving to Canada soon.

The Japan situation is very sad, but so is the rest of the world. Everyone is feeling the blow of the psychopaths in one way or another...

Sometimes, I can't help but wish an asteroid would hit and cleanse this world of all this nonsense already! That's probably not the right thing to think.. but I really can't help it sometimes.

I hope you have a safe trip to Canada soon Aya

 

[ScarletBegonias]

I'm happy to read that you are moving to Canada and wish you the best with this transition, Aya!!

And I know that I will not be able change anything even if I get involve in demonstrations and rebel activities, all I can do is to move forward and pull strings from the outside of the sinking ship if possible.

I like this mindset. :)

 

[Aya]

Thank you Kaigen, Nienna Eluch, Deedlet and Scarlet.

As much as I try to be strong and think straight everyday, sometimes my inner child wants to cry out for help and burst into tears in such helpless situation. I felt like my inner child wanted to come out as I read all of your posts. like this

At the same time I tell myself that it will pass and I still have a chance to experience joy and happiness. ;) Hopefully I can be an example and I can help some people. (Actually, one of my friend is watching me and considering to leave Japan as well. This is a good encouragement.)

Sometimes, I can't help but wish an asteroid would hit and cleanse this world of all this nonsense already! That's probably not the right thing to think.. but I really can't help it sometimes.

The other day I was thinking the similar thing. As I watch people monotonously walking everyday on a way to work, I cannot help thinking this country definitely needs to be punished again. It doesn't matter if it's a comet, earthquake, Godzilla or whatever, we need the second hit, just like the second nuclear bomb hit Hiroshima for a wake up call. Of course if that happens it will be another great loss...and it might not be a good way to think. At the same time if that happens, I think that would be exactly needed for the universe to replenish itself, although right now I don't have strength to think this way when it really happens...

One thing I am really looking forward living in Canada is I will easily get alternative/organic food and different kinds of meat. In Japan, we can usually get certain kinds of meat and they are all expensive for small amount. Well, I still have to wait couple more weeks.

 

[HiThere]

I feel for you Aya, good luck with the moving. Your example will serve to remind fellow countrymen that moving is a viable option under the circumstances.

 

[sevensama]

Aya, good luck on your move to Canada!

Currently I am also living in Japan, but only temporarily as part of an exchange program. Reading your post and replies, I have noticed many of the things you mention, especially the way Japan has decided to 'handle' the situation concerning electricity use.

Another thing that I found is that here in the Kansai area, there are very little reminders of what happened. There are donation boxes at convenience stores where you can put in some money and here and there you see some motivational posters with 'ganbarou nihon!' (let's do our best, japan!) written on them, but the topic generally does not come up in conversations.

In fact, last week during one of my lectures, the topic of Fukushima did come up. Our teacher did not discuss it very deeply, but I had a chance to talk about the danger of radiation and slipped in some questions about the honesty of the news broadcasts. I was not surprised when the teacher told me that the news is discussed more in foreign countries before it gets to Japan. But, as many of the Japanese people I speak to seem to do, she quickly ended the topic by saying 'don't worry, don't worry, everything is safe here'.

It's sad to see that in this country, people seem to put the 'general opinion' first- so far I've only met two people who said they think the situation is dangerous and that there should be better information on how to live from now on, but in the end they say 'it's difficult' and leave it at that.


I sincerely hope for all the best for you and perhaps more people will follow you in time. I am leaving here in August too.

 

[Aya]

Thank you Hithere and sevensama.

Another thing that I found is that here in the Kansai area, there are very little reminders of what happened. There are donation boxes at convenience stores where you can put in some money and here and there you see some motivational posters with 'ganbarou nihon!' (let's do our best, japan!) written on them, but the topic generally does not come up in conversations.

"Let's do out best, Japan!" slogan is now all over the country. Every time I see it, it just makes me want to shake my head in disbelief. :O To me the slogan looks like it says "Let's do our best to rebuild the country...and forget all the problems in the past."

sevensama, I am glad that you are leaving Japan soon, too.

 

[Kaigen]

sevensama, I am glad that you are leaving Japan soon, too.

Yeah, I'm glad too, I'm going with my daughter to Germany and Poland for the whole August, to take gulps of fresh air, and see my parents.

Aya, are your parents still on the same point of view, seeing that you are living the country?

 

[Aya]

Aya, are your parents still on the same point of view, seeing that you are living the country?

After all this happened, both of my parents are now being very supportive, especially my mother. I think her thoughts shifted after I came back, given her clues what was really going on. These days, she pays attention to every details on the accident and began to realize the government and the company are lying that we are in a sever war-like situation. She also says that she wants to move out, but her life depends very much on my father so it is going to be very difficult to take the matters into her own hands. When I leave, my mother is going to miss me as much as I miss her. Now she has clear understanding why I am making my decision so she is very supportive for my journey. On the other hand, my father still clings to the ideas presented by media. I think in deep down, he is threatened by my actions/ideas because if he accepts it, it is going to destroy his fantasy. He is telling me again and again, the plants' fuel will be control by the time my visa expires next year. However, even though we have different ways of thinking, my father tells me that I can ask him help whenever I stuck with financial problems and he is going to support whatever choices I make. I also accept this and support his way as a "respectable" Japanese salaryman.

My concern is my younger sister who knows nothing about the accident, as well as my relatives who are still in Fukushima. My grandma start to rebuild her house by the sea and she is going to live back there in the next year...
Anyway, it won't make much difference even if I stay here. So I shall move forward.

Yeah, I'm glad too, I'm going with my daughter to Germany and Poland for the whole August, to take gulps of fresh air, and see my parents.

Sounds good! At least you can get some fresh air and away from damp & hot weather in the summer.

 

[sevensama]

My concern is my younger sister who knows nothing about the accident, as well as my relatives who are still in Fukushima. My grandma start to rebuild her house by the sea and she is going to live back there in the next year...
Anyway, it won't make much difference even if I stay here. So I shall move forward.

This must be difficult for you, but it seems like you have grasped the concept of 'free will' - your moving forward might inspire others, but everyone will choose their own destiny. I think you are very brave! Do not look at it as 'abandoning' - rather, you are choosing a different path for yourself. :)

Yeah, I'm glad too, I'm going with my daughter to Germany and Poland for the whole August, to take gulps of fresh air, and see my parents.

Kaigen, are you considering to leave Japan for good as well, or are you only going to take a break? It might be wise to consider leaving, regarding the situation...

 

[Aya]

My update:

It's been over two weeks since I arrived in Canada. Last week, I did the job interview and the manager told me that I could work there if I complete the training so and I am taking this opportunity and learning for the new job everyday.

After I came here, I don't worry as much about radiation as before when I am outside reading, walking dogs, shopping and so on. I feel less stressed and I am very happy about this. Although I felt very difficult to take chances and change the way of my life at the time of accident, so far everything worked out well and I am so glad that I did what I did.

Again, I would like to say thank you to everyone for support. Atreides, I cannot thank you more how you helped me with kindness at the initial escape. Now I know more that as Gundersen says, more than 90% of radiation emitted after the six weeks of the accident so I probably did the right thing to leave the country for 2 weeks in March, even if I was very confused and unsure about what I was doing at that time.

The accident is still ongoing. I wake up every morning and search the news not to forget about it.
I hope I can make the best out of this journey.

Thank you very much.

 

[Windmill knight]

My update:

It's been over two weeks since I arrived in Canada. Last week, I did the job interview and the manager told me that I could work there if I complete the training so and I am taking this opportunity and learning for the new job everyday.

That is wonderful news Aya! Congratulations!

 

[Ellipse]

My update:

It's been over two weeks since I arrived in Canada. Last week, I did the job interview and the manager told me that I could work there if I complete the training so and I am taking this opportunity and learning for the new job everyday.

Whaou, that was an act of power!

 

[3DStudent]

Indeed Aya, congrats on the job and safer residence!

 

[XRz]

I hope the good news continues. Good Luck in Canada.