information about Fukushima published in English in Japanese media info publiée en anglais dans la presse japonaise
12 Mai 2014
May 12, 2014
Staff Writer
The popular manga series “Oishinbo” came under fire again Monday after a character based on a real-life former mayor refers to Fukushima Prefecture in its latest issue as unlivable because of the radiation leaking from the ruined power plant there.
The Fukushima Prefectural Government fired back at the publisher the same day, saying no health problems have been reported as a result of the release of radioactive materials from the Fukushima No. 1 plant.
In a separate statement, the Osaka Prefectural Government took issue with the assertion, expressed by a character based on real-life medical expert Eisuke Matsui, that about 800 people living around an incinerator there have been affected by burning tsunami debris tainted with radiation from Tohoku.
The character based on real-life Futaba ex-Mayor Katsutaka Idogawa at one point says in Monday’s installment: “You can no longer live in Fukushima.” Futaba is one of the two towns that host the Fukushima plant.
“Oishinbo,” which translates as “Gourmets” and usually deals with food and drink, caused a stir last week when a previous installment suggested many residents of the prefecture got nosebleeds caused by radioactive fallout from the plant.
In a written statement, the Fukushima Prefectural Government said no health problems in the prefecture have been linked to leaked radiation and that the manga would only serve to fan unfounded fears both at home and abroad.
Authorities also expressed concern that the series’ depictions would damage its agricultural, fisheries and tourism industries.
Similarly, the Osaka Prefectural Government claimed that no local doctors or authorities have received reports of ill health due to debris incinerated in the city’s Maishima area, contradicting the assertion made by the manga’s character Matsui.
The incinerator has burned about 15,300 tons of tsunami debris from Iwate Prefecture. At every stage of the disposal, the radiation level was stable and low enough to be safe, the government said.
“We definitely cannot tolerate (the descriptions). It’s extremely regrettable,” the Fukushima government said in the statement, urging the publisher to consult various experts and scientific organizations, including those under the United Nations.
On the same day, the publisher, Shogakukan Inc., posted a comment on its website saying the episodes “have not asserted” that the symptoms were definitely caused by radioactive materials from the Fukushima plant.
Shogakukan said it plans to carry “a special feature article” summarizing the opinions of various experts and readers, including critics, next week on its website.
Fukushima protests manga depiction of radiation
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140512_80.html
Fukushima Prefecture has protested against a long-running manga series over its depiction of the health effects of the 2011 nuclear accident.
The prefecture on Monday made an official complaint about "Oishinbo," a story featured in the weekly comic magazine Big Comic Spirits put out by Shogakukan publishing house.
The manga's April 28th issue has the main characters, including a newspaper reporter, suffering nosebleeds after they visit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
In the latest issue published on Monday, a former mayor of Futaba Town, which co-hosts the plant, and a university associate professor appear in the comic and confirm that the characters had the nosebleeds due to radiation exposure.
They also urge people not to live in Fukushima, saying that it's impossible to make the prefecture habitable, even by removing radioactive substances from wide areas.
Officials of the Fukushima prefectural government say those comments could give the impression that the manga story is reflecting the real situation in Fukushima.
They say the comments are insupportable because they stir up concerns and provoke groundless negative views about the region.
Futaba Town sent a letter of protest to Shogakukan over the manga last Wednesday.
Officials from the publisher say they will have a feature article in the May 19th issue of the magazine that includes the views of experts and criticism of the comments. The article will also be posted on the company's website.
Story writer Tetsu Kariya has rejected criticism over the content of "Oishinbo" and says he will fully refute the charges in a magazine in the near future.
In his blog on Friday, Kariya said people who are protesting through phone calls or emails to the publisher are mistaken.
He also said that he is fully responsible for the content of the manga series.
In the same blog earlier this month, Kariya said he wrote the story based on information he had gathered in Fukushima for 2 years. He said he wonders if critics are suggesting that he should shut his eyes to the truth and write lies that are convenient for some people.
May 12, 2014 - Updated 09:31 UTC
Fukushima Governor: Manga story regrettable
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140512_30.html
The governor of Fukushima Prefecture says the manga story depicting adverse health effects from the 2011 nuclear crisis is extremely regrettable, as it may promote groundless rumors.
Governor Yuhei Sato made the remark to reporters on Monday, after giving a speech in Saitama City, near Tokyo, that seeks support for Fukushima's reconstruction.
Sato referred to the "Oishinbo" story in a weekly comic magazine series. He said it comes at a time when people in Fukushima are striving to rebuild their lives, and could have the overall effect of fomenting rumors.
As for how to deal with the matter, Sato said he will consider a response after studying the situation.
In an issue of the weekly manga series published in April, the lead character and others suffer nosebleeds after visiting the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.
The manga issue includes remarks by a former mayor of Futaba Town, which co-hosts the plant, that assert a number of people in Fukushima have the same symptoms.
The town has filed a protest with the publisher of the manga, Shogakukan, saying there is no factual basis for such a claim and it could generate discrimination against people in Fukushima Prefecture.
May 12, 2014 - Updated 09:32 UTC
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