26 Décembre 2014
December 26, 2014
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20141226_29.html
Dec. 26, 2014 - Updated 08:33 UTC+1
Evacuees from the Fukushima nuclear disaster have visited a Buddhist temple in an evacuation zone to prepare it for the New Year.
About 20 people gathered at Kotokuin Temple in Naraha Town on Friday.
They wiped alter fittings with cloth and dusted a statue of the Deva King at the main gate with bamboo leaves.
They also placed a 2.5-meter handmade kadomatsu New Year pine tree decoration in front of the gate.
Most parts of Naraha are designated as evacuation zones. But the government allows evacuees to return to their homes from December 24th to January 7th.
Hideo Igari, an evacuee who made the kadomatsu, said he hopes many evacuees will visit the town to see the decoration.
The temple's chief priest, Shuryu Shima, said he is grateful that many evacuees came to help him prepare for the New Year. He added that he prays that evacuees will be able to return home soon.