Summer fun for Fukushima children too

July 21, 2013

Fukushima children frolic in play fountain built in decontaminated park

 http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201307210008

By TATSUYA SASAKI/ Staff Writer

MINAMI-SOMA, Fukushima Prefecture--Summer fun is back for some of the children of Fukushima Prefecture struggling for a return to normalcy after the 2011 nuclear disaster: They now have a new play fountain.

The new water attraction made a big splash with the children of Minami-Soma on July 20, the first day of summer vacation. It was built in a decontaminated park so children could play without the fear of radiation exposure.

The fountain was built by a local civics group that goes by the name Minna Kyowakoku (Everybody’s republic). The artificial pond measures 17 meters in diameter and is about 15 centimeters deep.

Minna Kyowakoku, which started a fund-raising campaign for the project in May, received donations totaling about 12 million yen ($120,000) through the Internet and other venues from more than 500 individuals and organizations across the nation.

Until it was cleared last year, the south of the city used to lie within the 20-kilometer no-entry zone following the accident in March 2011 at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

July 19, 2013

Fukushima evacuee children begin summer holidays

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20130719_37.html

Children who were forced to flee their hometown following the nuclear accident in March 2011 in northeastern Japan are marking the start of their 3rd summer holiday since the disaster.

Okuma Town is one of the affected municipalities. It hosts the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture. Students at the town's 2 public elementary schools now study in Aizu Wakamatsu City, some 100 kilometers away.

The schools held a joint ceremony on Friday to mark the end of first school term. The students saw photos of events held during the term, including a Japanese music concert staged to encourage them. One of the schools' principals told the children that they should never forget to feel gratitude for the support they are receiving.

The 2 schools now have a total of around 160 students -- down about 75 percent from before the disaster.

Many students have moved to different schools due to their parents' employment or other circumstances. More are expected to change schools during the summer holidays.

A girl who will relocate to another city in Fukushima prefecture said she will miss her friends, but hopes to make many new ones at her next school.