Fukushima/Ukraine on the same boat

March 5, 2015

Fukushima photos on exhibit in Ukraine

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20150305_35.html

Mar. 5, 2015 - Updated 08:46 UTC+1

An exhibition of pictures of a disaster-stricken area in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, after the March 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant has opened in Ukraine.

About 60 pieces by Japanese photojournalist Kazuma Obara are on display at a museum in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, from Wednesday. The exhibit focuses on reconstruction efforts in Fukushima.

One photo shows workers cautiously packing large amount of soil in a bag, allowing a glimpse into the large-scale decontamination work.

Another shows 3 workers in white full protective gear at a severely damaged facility of the nuclear plant.

Since the accident, Japan has deepened its post-nuclear disaster cooperation with Ukraine, which experienced the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. They have worked together in areas such as measures against health damage to residents.

A man at the exhibition said he felt people in Fukushima live with the same kind of anxiety that Ukrainians experienced. He said he hopes people in Fukushima can overcome the disaster.

Obara said at the exhibit that learning about the situation in Fukushima could lead to some kind of cooperation between Ukrainians and Japanese.