Truth of Fukushima

A controversial comic strip in a weekly magazine concluded one series story titled “Truth of Fukushima” on the issue published on Monday. Oishinbo, a gourmet comic which questioned national policy related to the accident in First Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, will have a break until next series. The editor of the magazine expressed sincere acknowledgement, using pages of the issue, on his responsibility for giving broad uneasiness to many. The dispute over Oishimbo, however, did not contribute to solving fundamental problem in Fukushima.

Criticism over the story was mainly about two points: description of bleeding from nose of a food journalist who visited the broken plant was exaggerated and recommendation of leaving Fukushima was inappropriate. It was true that the scene of bleeding nose might bring misunderstanding as if it was related to exposure to radioactive materials. It should be recognized as a lack of deliberation about impact on sufferers of the accident. Recommendation of leaving contaminated land was a reflection of author’s underestimation of significance of leaving hometown for the residents.

Having said those short hands, the story raised important talking points on Fukushima issue. There actually are a number of people who are uncomfortable for their health after spending three years or more inside high radiation area. Accusers against the comic insisted that the relation between the accident and disease had not been determined, and exaggeration would bring unnecessarily negative impact on people. That argument intensively ignored the fact that no one had determined that radioactive material would never affect human health. That does not remove anxiety of people.

Negative impact on products from Fukushima will not be eliminated by accusing Oishinbo. National and local government criticized the story as disturbing efforts of farmers, ranchers, and related people to sell their products to other area in Japan or to the world. But it is the job of those governments to reduce the impact they had made, rather than the impact Oishimbo made. In terms of responsibility for negative rumor, Tokyo Electric Power Company and national government owe far greater one than the comic does.

The food journalist concluded in the story that protecting Fukushima meant protecting Japan. “If the accident does not cease but escalate, not only Fukushima but Japan will be destroyed,” he said. Regardless whether the people need to leave home permanently, that elaboration on the nature of the problem is correct. That is the truth of Fukushima.