Tanka poems against the war

One year after

It is one year since the first reactor of Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant burst. The unranium fuel of the three reactors and the pools is still out of control emitting radioactive particles into the air.

In 1995 when the great earthquake hit my hometown, Kobe, I learned that my life is beyond my control. My life is in the hand of nature and I am alive on its mercy. What I can do is to live my life everyday loving and respecting the great nature.

In 2011 I learned that Uranium is beyond human control. Uranium, which has been radioactive since the Earth was born, will be so in 4.5 billion years. How come human can control the substance with such great energy and time?

In the crazy world where
Uranium is burning
Way out of control
Cherry trees are blooming with
More beauty and dignity

Now I know that the only thing we can do is stop trying to control uranium or the substance from the great universe. We have to know that we are as helpless as cherry blossoms, and the same time as beautiful as them. If you can live your life with beauty and dignity on this great planet, what else should you want?

Note: English tanka poem by the author, Kaoru Kobashi

The proceeds have been donated to:

Every September the proceeds from "Flowers and Bombs" of the last one year are donated mainly to three organizations and to some small but beautiful projects done by young and brave people.

Thanks to your help, the book and the charity events of "Flowers and Bombs" raised 123,800 yen this year and that was donated to:

Peshawar-kai, 20,000 yen
Takarazuka Afghanistan Friendship Association, 20,000 yen
Japan Volunteer Center - Iraq Fund, 20,000 yen
and
JIM-NET, 10,000 yen
Iraq no kodomo o sukuu kai -Association for Iraqi Children, 10,000 yen
Projects for children in Fukushima, 43,800 yen


Because of the nuclear disaster in March, 11th, "Flowers and Bombs" held some events for the children in Fukushima as well as children in Afghanistan and Iraq. I feel so sad that after 10 years from 911 bombs are still falling down onto the children in Afghanistan, and that so many Iraqi children are suffering from leukemia or cancers. And what is worse, the nuclear disaster occurred here in Japan and is threatening our future. To overcome the sorrow and to keep the hope, I am going to do whatever I can to help children in Afghanistan, Iraq and Fukushima.

I need your help, my readers. I need your help to change the chain of violence into a chain of hope and to make this world a better place.


The photo is from the "Flowers and Bombs"charity exhibition held in April.

The first big step for Japan without neclear power plants




An estimated 60,000 people have taken to the streets of Tokyo in the the largest anti-nuclear demonstration since the Fukushima nuclear meltdown six months ago.
See more on ABC News in Australia
Video: Tokyo anti-nuclear rally draws thousands

Voices from the Japanese youth

Six months on from the nuclear crisis of Fukushima daiichi nuclear power plant, four Japanese young people started a hunger strike for the future. At the web site of hungerstrike you can see one of the members, Shiori Sekiguchi(19), explaining about the purpose of the action and what they really want. She says "I want new energy but nuclear. I respect every form of life. And I really want young people to think more seriously about nuclear energy."

Please listen to her message at the site below:
http://hungerstrike.jimdo.com/english/

What is going on the area contaminated with radiation?
Please have a look at the BBC web site:
Inside Japan's nuclear exclusion zone

Worse than the worst

In March after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant's catastrophe, I expected the worst situation like Chernobyl in the USSR. But here in Japan, the situation is much worse than I expected. The government is killing its own people in Fukushima. How come the authority can be so apathetic and cruel?

Please watch the YouTube:
The government is killing its own people in Fukushima

The Truth of Nuclear Power Plants

An excellent researcher on nuclear reactors, Mr. Hiroaki Koide, who has been appealing the dangers of nuclear power for more than 40 years explains the truth of nuclear power and the current situation of the contamination caused by the accident of Fukushima-daiichi nuclear power plant.

Please watch the movie below and take action to save the children in Fukushima.
The Truth of Nuclear Power Plants

Save the children in Fukushima!

More voices are needed to have the government do what they have to do.

Angry Parents in Japan Confront Government Over Radiation Levels
Quote from New York Times May 25, 2011

"FUKUSHIMA CITY, Japan — The accusations flew on Wednesday at the local school board meeting, packed with parents worried and angry about radiation levels in this city at the heart of Japan’s nuclear crisis."

"At issue are updated government guidelines that allow schoolchildren to be exposed to radiation doses that are more than 20 times the previously permissible levels. That dose is equal to the international standard for adult nuclear power plant workers. "


What does the dose of 20mSv of radiation mean?
PSR Statement on the Increase of Allowable Dose of Ionizing Radiation to Children in Fukushima Prefecture
Quote: Twenty mSv exposes an adult to a one in 500 risk of getting cancer; this dose for children exposes them to a 1 in 200 risk of getting cancer. And if they are exposed to this dose for two years, the risk is 1 in 100. There is no way that this level of exposure can be considered "safe" for children.