Imagine looking out to the coast and seeing nothing in front of you except destroyed buildings and a lone pine tree… After the 2011 tsunami disaster, this was the landscape of reality for residents of Rikuzentakata City.

Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture was one of the hardest hit places after the 2011 tsunami disaster. All Singaporeans have a special connection to this small city in Iwate as Singapore supported the majority of the city’s rebuilding!

Last year, I visited Rikuzentakata City with the Embassy of Singapore in Tokyo. It felt appropriate to write about it now in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, to give hope about how people can be resilient and rebuild even through the worst of disasters.

Read on to find out my first-hand experience of how Singapore and Rikuzentakata are tied together, and how the city has recovered since March 11, 2011.

海岸を眺めて、
破壊された建物と一本だけの松の木以外は何も見えない景色を想像できますか？
2011年の津波災害後、
これは陸前高田市の住民にとって現実の風景でした。
岩手県陸前高田市は、2011年の津波災害後、
最も被害が大きかった場所の1つでした。

シンガポール人はすべて、
シンガポールの再建の大部分を支援していた岩手県のこの小さな都市と
特別なつながりを持っています！

私は去年、東京のシンガポール大使館と陸前高田市を訪れました。

新型コロナウイルスの大流行の最中に今それについて書くことは、人々がどのように回復し、最悪の災害の中で再建できるかについての希望を与えるために適切であると感じました。

続きを読んで、シンガポールと陸前高田市がどのように結びついているのか、
そして2011年3月11日以降に街がどのように回復したかを直接体験してください。

Quick Facts About Rikuzentakata Area of only 231.94 km2 (about 1/3 the size of Singapore!) Population: 18,959 Highest Tsunami Height in 2011: 18.3m Amount of Singapore Donations: Over 800 million yen

*~*~*~*

RIKUZENTAKATA COMMUNITY HALL:
The Singapore-Rikuzentakata Relationship

陸前高田コミュニティホール:
シンガポールと陸前高田の関係

High ceilings supported by tasteful timber pillars and majestic floor-to-ceiling windows fanned out in front of me as I stepped into the Singapore Hall of the Rikuzentaka Community Hall.

「シンガポールホール」という陸前高田コミュニティホールに足を踏み入れると、
上品な木柱と床から天井までのとても大きな窓に支えられた高い天井が目の前に広がりました。

陸前高田コミュニティホールは、シンガポール赤十字とシンガポール駐日大使がリード開始した
シンガポールからの寄付金約7億円で建設されました。
陸前高田の住民が津波の後に最も必要としていたことの1つは、人々が集まる場所でした。
彼らは一時的な宿泊施設を建設しましたが、
コミュニティとして永続的に続く場所はまだありませんでした。

You may notice a replica of a pine tree behind me (left of photo), which represents the Miracle Pine Rescue Project of Rikuzentakata. This lone Pine Tree that survived the devastation of the tsunami has been elevated to hero status, symbolizing the strength of the Rikuzentakata community and perhaps of humanity at large to withstand nature’s unpredictable wrath and destruction.

私の後ろにある松の木のレプリカに気づくかもしれません。
これは陸前高田の奇跡の一本松保存プロジェクトを表しています。
津波の被害生き延びたこの一本の松の木は、陸前高田コミュニティの力、
そしておそらく自然の予測不可能な怒りと破壊に耐える人類全体の力を象徴する英雄になりました。

The day of our visit, we were welcomed personally by the Rikuzentakata City Mayor Mr. Futoshi Toba, and Mr Kiyoshi Murakami, Senior Executive Advisor of Rikuzentakata City.

当日は、陸前高田市の戸羽太市長、参与の村上清氏に歓迎していただきました。

With Mr Kiyoshi Murakami, Senior Executive Advisor of Rikuzentakata City, and the entrance sign for the “Singapore Fair.”
陸前高田市 参与 村上清氏

Shy away in a corner, local painter Asuka Tazaki and his guardian stood apart from the crowds. Mayor Toba introduced me to them, and I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak to Asuka-san about his work.

会場の隅に恥ずかしそうな雰囲気で、
地元の画家田崎飛鳥氏と彼の保護者が皆から離れたところにいました。
戸羽市長が紹介してく下さったで、
彼の作品について話をする機会をいただいたことに感謝しました。

With the artist and his manager (left) and the Rikuzentakata City Mayor Mr Futoshi Toba (陸前高田市長　戸羽太氏) (right)

Asuka Tazaki spent months to specially create paintings and sculptures based on his ideas of Singapore. Despite having a development disability, Asuka-san (born in Saitama and raised in Rikuzentakata since middle school) has been passionate about drawing since he was a child, and has won many awards during his career so far.

田崎氏は、シンガポールについて、
彼の独自のアイデアに基づいて絵画や彫刻を特別に制作するのに数ヶ月をかかりました。
発達障害があるにもかかわらず、
田崎さん（埼玉県生まれ、中学以来陸前高田市で育つ）は子供の頃から絵を描くことに情熱を傾けており、
これまでに多くの賞を受賞しています。

Together with Latvian painter Aigars BIKŠE, Asuka-san created a replica of the Merlion statue using Styrofoam, steel, and acrylic painting. While neither artist has ever visited Singapore, their vibrant interpretation and reproduction of the Merlion statue was so familiar, and yet so excitingly innovative in all its peacock-like colors. In Singapore, we rarely see a multi-colored Merlion (it is almost always a solid color, usually white). This Merlion in Rikuzentakata, on the other hand, looks like it is ready to be part of a Latin American Carnival! How wonderful cross-cultural perspectives are in shining new lights on things other people take for granted.

ラトビアの画家Aigars BIKŠEと一緒に、田崎さんは発泡スチロール、
スチール、アクリル絵の具を使用してマーライオン像のレプリカを作成しました。
どちらのアーティストもシンガポールを訪れたことはありませんが、
マーライオン像についての彼のイメージは、鮮やかで、
そして　とても親しみを感じるように再現してくれました。
それは、孔雀のような色で非常に革新的でした。 シンガポールでは、
多色のマーライオンはほとんど見られません（ほとんどの場合、単色で、通常は白です）。
一方、陸前高田のこのマーライオンは、ラテンアメリカのカーニバルに参加する準備ができているようです！
他の人が当たり前のことと思っているものに新しい光を当てるのに、異文化間での違う考え方がいかに大きく素晴らしいことでしょう。

According to Asuka-san, he draws his inspiration from the idea that both Rikuzentakata and Singapore are bound together with a shared history as “lands which have faced wilderness of the ocean since time immemorial.” He hopes to visit Singapore soon.

田崎さんによると、陸前高田とシンガポールはともに
「太古の昔から海の驚異に直面していた土地」としての歴史を共有しているという考えからインスピレーションを得ています。
彼はすぐにシンガポールを訪れることを望んでいます。

After enjoying the exhibit, we were presented with a thoughtful spread of locally made Singaporean cuisine!
展示を楽しんだ後、地元でとれた食材で造ったシンガポール料理で歓待していただきました！

Rikuzentakata’s residents’ warmth and kindness really shone through with their efforts to create Singaporean favorites such as chicken rice and laksa using locally sourced products to welcome us! I was very impressed by how much consideration they had put into these dishes – and they were delicious! 

陸前高田の皆様の温かさと優しさは、
地元産の製品を使ってチキンライスやラクサなどのシンガポールの
私のお気に入り料理を作ろうとして下さる努力の気持が本当に溢れていました！
私は彼らがこれらの料理にどれだけ配慮してくださったかに非常に感銘を受けました。
そしてそれらは美味しかったです！

*~*~*~*

TSUNAMI MEMORIAL HALL

津波記念館

The Great East Japan Earthquake and 2011 tsunami left Rikuzentaka with over 4000 buildings destroyed, >1600 dead and >200 missing. As someone who has been fortunate enough not to have lived in any disaster zones, every time I learn about how Japanese people have recovered from earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and the like, I never cease to be amazed by their strength and resiliency.

東日本大震災と2011年の津波は陸前高田を襲い、4000以上の建物が破壊され、
1600人以上が死亡、200人以上が行方不明になりました。
私は幸いにも災害地帯に住んだことがないので、日本人が地震、洪水、
津波などからどのように復興したかを知るたびに、彼らの強さと回復力に驚かされます。

Walking out to Memorial Park, the natural scenery is beautiful, but still on the road to recovery after the impact of the tsunami clearing the land.

記念公園を歩いていると、自然の景色は美しく感じられますが、
津波で土地が崩壊後、まだ少し回復の途中です。

Staring out at the coast and the calm waters now, it is hard to imagine how scary it must have been to have an almost 15.1m high wave approaching the land with the speed of a jet plane!

今、海岸と穏やかな海を見つめていると、
ジェット機の速度でほぼ15.1mの高波が陸に近づいていることがどれほど恐ろしかったか想像するのは難しいです！

At the Tsunami Memorial Museum next to the Park, we witnessed the damage of the tsunami through displays of damaged equipment, photos of destroyed buildings, and stories of survivors.

公園の隣にある津波記念館では、破損した機器の展示、破壊された建物の写真、
生存者の話を通して津波の被害を目撃しました。

A fire truck was completely crushed under the impact of the tsunami.
消防車は津波の影響で完全に押しつぶされました。

One of the exhibits focused on the teachings of a local Iwate Prefecture idiom, “tendenko,” meaning “each person” or “on your own.” In a place often struck by tsunamis, this idiom has saved many lives and reflects the strong determination pulsating through the people of Rikuzentakata people to survive no matter the tragedies they face.

展示の1つは、地元の岩手県の方言、
「一人一人」または「自分で」を意味する「テンデンコ」の教えに焦点を当てたものです。
津波にしばしば襲われる場所で、この方言は多くの命を救い、強い決意を反映しています。
陸前高田の人々は、彼らが直面する悲劇に関係なく生き、躍動しています。

I left the memorial hall with a heavy heart grieving for those who lost loved ones and their homes. At the same time, I also discovered a profound respect for the unwavering resiliency, courage, and optimism of the Japanese people to uphold “tendenko” yet stand together in difficult times.

記念館を離れて、愛する人とその家を失った人々を思って悲しみに暮れました。
同時に、私はまた、「テンデンコ」を守りながら困難な時代に立ち向かう日本人の揺るぎない復興力、
勇気、明るく生きようとする意志に表しました。

*~*~*~*

Go Deeper: Meaningful kindle book based on real stories of Rikuzentakata residents who survived the March 11, 2011 Disaster.

*~*~*~*

Final Thoughts

最後に・・・

With the Tokyo Olympics coming up, many host cities around Japan are preparing to receive athletes from over 200 countries and regions. Rikuzentakata City in Iwate prefecture has been picked as the “host town” for Singapore athletes! I look forward to seeing the relationship between Rikuzentakata and Singapore develop further and hope to do my part to support the city’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

東京オリンピックが開催されるため、
日本中の多くの開催都市は200を超える国と地域からの選手を受け入れる準備をしています。
岩手県陸前高田市がシンガポールのアスリートの「ホストタウン」に選ばれました！
陸前高田市とシンガポールの関係がさらに発展するのを楽しみにしており、
市の復興と再建の取り組みを支援するために自分の役割を果たしたいと考えています。

By the way, Iwate Prefecture and Rikuzentakata are famous for oysters in Japan! 😉 If you love oysters as much as I do, be sure to check out my blog post on Rikuzentakata Oysters to join me on a visit to a local oyster farm~

ちなみに、岩手県と陸前高田市は日本のカキで有名です！ ;）
私と同じようにカキが好きなら、
陸前高田市のカキ養殖場の体験については、次のブログを楽しみにしてくださいね～

Visiting an oyster farm in Rikuzentaka!

Cheers to some delicious oysters! 😉 

Thank you for reading. I would love to hear from you.
Please do send me an email or subscribe for emails from me right to your inbox!

本日も読んでいただきありがとうございます。

私からのメールを是非購読してくださいね～　
皆さんの声を聞かせてください！

This trip to Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture was made possible with the generous support of the Embassy of Singapore in Tokyo. 

Related Article:

The post Singapore’s Relationship with Rikuzentaka City <br> シンガポールと陸前高田市との関係 appeared first on Rachel Leng.

リンダ・ロセッティさんとのポッドキャストインタビューをDestination Unknown：a field guideでアップロードしました！私たちの12分のエピソードは、「地理的変遷：秘訣と行動計画」について話しましたので、是非お聞きくださいネ～！

URL: https://destinationunknownafieldguide.libsyn.com/website/geographic-transitions-secrets-and-strategies

I first met Linda Rosetti when I arrived at Harvard University as a fresh-eyed graduate student. As my international host, she was the first to welcome me with thoughtful recommendations on nearby places to explore down to detailing the nitty-gritty logistics of moving into my new home in Cambridge, MA.

Our first in-person meeting was at a potluck event. At first, I was very nervous to meet Linda and her daughter. My heart fluttered: What if they did not like me? What would we talk about? What if I did not live up to their expectations? What if we did not get along?

Linda Rossetti （リンダ・ロゼッティ）さんに初めて会ったのは、
ハーバード大学院に入学したばかりの時です。
私のインターナショナルホストとして、
彼女は私を歓迎してくれた最初の人です。
私がマサチューセッツ州ケンブリッジ市にある新しい家に引っ越す時、
生活がしやすいようにと近所にある色々な設備を教えてくださり、
引っ越しに必要な骨の折れる様々なことを詳しく調べてくださいました。

Photo with Linda and her daughter in 2013. ２０１３年のリンダさんと娘さんとの写真。

However, Linda and her daughter were very friendly and instantly made me feel comfortable. They later invited me to their house for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I had a conflict of schedule and to this day I regret not joining in on their family festivity!

しかし、リンダさんと娘さんはとてもフレンドリーで、
すぐに私は打ち解けることができました。
彼女たちは後で、私を感謝祭パーティのために家に招待してくれました。
残念ながら、私はスケジュールの都合で、
今日まで彼らの家族のディナーパーティに参加できなかったことを後悔しています！>.<;

Linda and I met a few other times during my years at Harvard. Every time we met, she would share about her work on transition and its impact on individuals and organizations, with a focus on the experiences of women. She would listen to my concerns and insightfully advise me on how to turn times of uncertainty into opportunities to build resiliency and redefine success. I had no idea at that time how much her words would be like seeds planted inside me, slowly incubating and taking hold at the necessary times when I was facing my own challenges, whether personal or career-related. I realized later, that the thing with our words to others, is that they tend to become thoughts and then actions. So, it is important we observe them and choose them wisely. As we disperse more “seeds” around the world, many will take root in the lives of others.

私はハーバード大学院在学中の数年間、リンダさんと何回も会いました。
私たちが会う時は、彼女は、女性の経験に焦点を当てながら、
「transition」に関して、仕事、個人や組織等の環境変化の影響について話してくれました。

リンダさんは私の関心事に耳を傾け、
どのようにして不確実性の時代を乗り越えて回復させるチャンスに変えるか、
成功の再定義について詳しく心が温まるアドバイスをしてくれました。

その時は、私自身もキャリアがなく、
彼女の言葉がまだよく理解できませんでした。
現在は、自分の「transition」に挑戦し、
直面しているので、事あるごとにリンダさんのアドバイスを噛みしめています。

他の人への私たちのアドバイスや言葉が、
後々に、その人達の思考の元になり、
行動になる可能性があります。
したがって、言葉を選び、それを賢明に選択することが重要です。
世界中の人に「良き言葉」や「良きアドバイス」を伝えることは、
多くの人の心の種になって育っていくでしょう。

5 years, 3 countries, and several job industry transitions later, Linda and I reconnected.

5年後、そして3か国に渡る就職先への移行後、リンダさんと私は再び繋がりました。

Linda’s podcast, Destination Unknown: a field guide, explores the variety of challenging life transitions that many of us encounter and how to navigate them successfully. Our conversation is available in the 12-minute episode titled “Geographic Transitions: Secrets and Strategies.”

Lindaのポッドキャスト、「Destination Unknown: a field guide」　（目的地不明：フィールドガイド）では、
私たちの多くが人生に挑戦して遭遇する様々な変化と、
それらをうまくナビゲートする方法を探ります。
12分のエピソード「Geographic Transitions: Secrets and Strategies」（地理的変遷：秘訣と行動計画）で
それらについての私たちの会話を聞くことができます。

If you are able to make the time, do tune in!

Some highlights and a full transcript of the podcast interview can be found below, for those who prefer reading. However, I would very much appreciate it if you could spare the time to listen to the audio!

As always, I would be happy to hear from you and your feedback.

時間に余裕があれば、お聞きください！

ポッドキャストインタビューの主要部分と完全なトランスクリプト(英語版のみ)は、下記を参照してください。
読書好きな人が時間を割いて音声を聞いてくだされば嬉しいです。

いつものように、ご意見をお聞かせください。

Some Highlights:

いくつかの主要部分：

“If I look back now, I had definitely underestimated how difficult it would be to live and work in a country where you have no knowledge of the language or the culture. When I actually arrived on the ground, everything from just grocery shopping to finding an apartment was really difficult.”

「今振り返ってみると、言語や文化を知らない国で生活し、働くのがどれほど難しいかを、私はあまり問題視していませんでした。実際にその地で生活を始めた時、食料品の買い物だけでなく、アパートを見つける等々、すべてが本当に大変でした。」 

“The biggest thing I faced was Asian female stereotypes… [sometimes] it was so entrenched in the cultural views of gender-defining roles.”

「私が直面した最大の障害は、アジアの女性の固定観念でした… [時々]それは性別についての役割における文化的な考え方が非常に強く根付いていました。」 

“On the surface, people look at your history or your Instagram persona and think that everything worked out so well for you, but when you are really in that moment, many days you wake up and have no energy to fight it anymore. I realized that I was beginning to internalize it, to believe that I was not good enough or adding much value.”

「表面的には、人々はあなたの過去やInstagramに載った外見的なあなたを見て、すべてがうまくいっていると思うでしょう。ですが、それはあなたがその瞬間にいる時のことで、日常の中では、憂鬱な日々もあり、元気に生活する気力が無い時もあります。 私はそれが内面化し始めていることに気づきました。自分の気力が無くなり、自分の人生に価値がないと思い始めてしまいました。」 

“For me, I think it was a stroke of luck but what I did was I started reaching out to people, and how I could help other people… through the process of sharing my experiences and insights and seeing their success… that really helped me also realize the value of my own experiences. By teaching them, they really taught me so much more in return.”  

「私にとって、それは運命の一撃だったと思います。その後、私がしたことは、どうやって他の人々を支援できるかと、色々な人に接触し始めました。 私の経験と洞察を共有し、私は本当に自分自身の経験が価値があるものと実感しました。彼らに私の経験を伝えることで、私は彼らからもっと学ばせていただいています。」 

“Whenever you move to a different country, it is really easy to feel like a fish out of water. And then, you start self-isolating… and feeling really alone. In many ways, after you do it a few times, you become aware that you need to break away from this comfort zone that is confining you… But it still takes time, you can’t rush it… [In my opinion], it takes about 6 months to adjust to moving to a new environment.”

「あなたがほかの国に引っ越すときはいつも、陸に上がった魚のように感じやすいものです。そして、あなたは孤立していき…　本当に孤独を感じます。 多くの点で、似たような経験を何回か行った後、あなたはあなたの快適ゾーンの中にいるようになりますが、色々なチャレンジをするためにはこの快適ゾーンの枠を壊す必要があることに気づきます…　しかし、それには少し時間がかかり、速く壊したくても急にはできません… [私の経験では] 新しい環境に慣れるまでに約6ヶ月かかります。」 

“Sometimes it is the ones closest to you and care for you the most who are the ones who give you the most detrimental advice that holds you back.”

「時に、両親や友達等あなたに最も親しい人たちは、あなたを気遣って、行動を妨げるようなアドバイスをしますが、これがあなたにとっての枠になる可能性が高いです。」

“Thinking and imagining about how difficult it will be is probably going to be more difficult and scary than what it is actually like when you are going through it.”
「新しく挑戦することがどれほど難しいかを考えたり想像したりすることより、あなたが実際にそれを経験しているときの方が想像していたより、難しくもなく怖くもないでしょう。」 “We heal ourselves by healing others.”
「私たちは他人を癒すことで自分自身もまた癒されます。」

Destination Unknown Podcast Interview Transcript

“Geographic Transitions: Secrets and Strategies” with Rachel Leng

Linda: Hi welcome back this is Linda Rossetti and I am thrilled you’re here for another episode of Destination Unknown. Today we have an extraordinary guest – a colleague and friend Rachel Leng joins me. Part of her resume has things like entrepreneur, Miss Singapore and a graduate of both Duke University and Harvard University. Rachel, it’s nice to have you here, welcome.

Rachel: Thank you Linda for having me on the show. I still remember when we first met, I believe you were my international host who helped me transition when I first arrived at Harvard about 7 years ago. As a Singaporean who had grown up in various countries around Asia – primarily China in Shanghai – and as a first-generation college student in the US it was really meaningful for me to hear about your experiences and work on transition at that time. Since then I’ve been through several other transitions. After graduating, I pursued a job in policy as I was studying international relations and East Asian Studies and had an interest in politics and public policy. So I went to Seoul, South Korea for that job at a political think tank. I was there for about a year and then I moved to Japan just on my own. I didn’t have anything lined up but I had the idea that I wanted to find a job there and learn more about finance and business development… I ended up landing a job in a private equity firm at which I still currently work. Since last year I co-founded my own company in business consultancy and media production with a mission to share knowledge to benefit others. Because, in my own experience it has been media and communication that has helped me along the way and given me the right advice when I needed it. For example, I should mention your blog because I constantly receive your updates and still manage to receive that inspiration and motivation from you and your work.

If I look back, I think moving to Korea was one of my most difficult transitions thus far when I decided to take the job at the think tank in Seoul. Most people were reacting – “Why would you go to Seoul? Why not stay in the US? You can get a perfectly good job here.” After all, I had other job offers for example in Singapore and Hong Kong, (so people would say) “why wouldn’t you go there seems to be a lot more going on there for young ambitious women.” Korea has been consistently ranked lowest or near the lowest on most OECD rankings for gender equality. I just had this desire to really experience it myself and to understand as much about different countries and cultures as possible… but if I look back now I definitely underestimated how difficult it would be to live and work in a country where you have no knowledge of the language or the culture. When I arrived on the ground, everything from just grocery shopping to renting an apartment was really difficult.

The most challenging thing of all I think I faced was the female Asian culture stereotypes. Something like only 2 percent of women in Korea are actually in leadership roles such as on board of directors of companies and women only earn about 60 percent of what men earn generally. There are very strong stereotypes that women should not pursue a career after having a family or have children… In my experience, sexual harassment at the workplace and in society was very common and even expected or accepted by many so that young women around me often did not even recognize it just because it was so entrenched in the cultural views of gender-defined roles. This was difficult for me to deal with coming from being educated in the U.S. and then going back to Asia and being in that kind of social and corporate environment where I just felt really devalued at that time.

Linda: I wonder if you could talk about extricating yourself from that. You know, what was that decision like to leave that moment because I think my listeners… You know, many of us could find ourselves in situations where we never imagined how they would be and when they’re not supportive of us and we know we need to move. So maybe you could talk a little bit about what that decision was like for you.

Rachel: It was really, really difficult. There were many days when I just felt so stuck and depressed with not much of a future and was getting really listless and resigned. On the surface, people will look at your history or your Instagram account persona and assume that everything worked out so well for you but when you’re really in that moment, there are just many days you wake up and you just have no energy to really fight it anymore. I realized that I was even beginning to internalize it – you just believe that you’re not good enough, that maybe you’re not adding much value to your career.

For me, I think it was a stroke of luck butwhat I did was I started reaching out to other people and seeing how I can help other people. I had this opportunity to work with the Korean government on the mentorship program for Korean youth who were interested in either working abroad or pursuing an education abroad. By working with these young Korean women, coaching them, and kind of helping them and through the process of sharing my experiences and seeing their success in applying to schools and good jobs overseas really helped me also realize the value of my experiences.

By teaching them, I think they taught me so much more in return. So as much as Korea was in some ways a very painful experience for me, it was also really important as a stepping stone to Japan because after going through that I just had more confidence especially after working with so many of my mentees and other students to help them through their transitions to move out of their career that I really decided to jump into my next chapter.

Linda: It’s interesting because you’ve had a number of transitions. I wonder – do you see any similarities as you look at the transitions that you’ve made?

Rachel: Whenever you move to a different country is really easy to feel like a fish out of water and then you start self-isolating as well and feeling really alone… In many ways, we learn after doing it a few times and you become more aware of the sense that you need to break out of this comfort zone and circle that is confining you. It becomes easier every time but it still takes time so you can’t rush it – it still takes about 6 months every time you transition to anything. Moving countries and moving to a new job are usually considered 2 of the most stressful things that you can do in your life and doing them at once is extremely difficult but I think that if you have the right mind-set and of course, thankfully in my situation, I had a lot of mentors who gave me really great advice that really helps pick you up at the times you need it the most.

Linda: I love this model that you’ve put in your head that as you move or make substantial changes there is a behaviour pattern that you relied on – and granted, it wasn’t maybe the most healthy to kind of draw inward and almost constrict your activities a little bit that self-isolation for a little while to get your feet underneath you. And so it’s very interesting because I think all of us have these reflexive behaviours that we turn to particularly at times when we’re facing substantial uncertainty which is really what transition is all about – it’s really walking forward into the unknown. You know in the first couple of weeks when you’re on the ground you are in a new place, how can my listeners prepare themselves for this moment really in terms of how it’s going to feel.

Rachel: So the most difficult step would probably have been getting your feet on the ground in the first place. The reason for that is you’re going to get so many people telling you what to do or not to do. The most painful realization that I came to at some point was that sometimes the people closest to you and care for you the most are the ones that give you the most detrimental advice that holds you back. Your thinking and imagining how difficult it will be it’s probably going to be more difficult and more scary than what it actually is like when you’re going through it.

Linda: Yeah I think so so fantastic advice and I think that that’s been played out so many times on the guests that we’ve had here on Destination Unknown. Many people who do go through transitions talk about surprises. I wonder if you could share a couple of those that maybe you’ve encountered.

Rachel: So you are absolutely right that a lot of times when you go through transition you just feel really down, really broken, and tend to want to just draw into yourself and I guess to protect your inner core in that way and kind of preserve some sense of yourself. One of the challenges I faced and many other people I have worked with do encounter is how to build up that confidence again. Since Korea I have continued working with many students and young professionals coaching and mentoring them. A girl from China reach out to me and that she confided in me her story that she was being abused by her father who was an alcoholic and she felt absolutely no confidence in herself and had no support from her family to pursue an education and in fact was advice or kind of discouraged from it.

Nonetheless, she was still having his curiosity about exploring going to university are learning more about the world. After hearing her story, I really empathized with her situation where somebody’s family and friends are the ones that hold you back in some ways simply by saying that you can’t do it. So, I decided to coach her through the entire application process and she ended up getting into a top university in the US on a full scholarship. I realized that as much as I taught her and shared with her, she’s taught me so much more in return. This kind of confirmed that the place of my own existence and my values that I had doubted at many times. We heal ourselves by healing others.

Linda: I think that’s a beautiful sentiment Rachel, and I think that I’ve seen that replicated time and again for people who navigate transition that the gifts that we’re willing to extend to others come back to us tenfold and it is really quite powerful that your willingness to question what was around you and the opportunities that you had in front of you – that willingness to keep asking the question has clearly paid off for you. I am so honored to know you and to watch how you’ve grown and developed – you’ve done such an outstanding job and I can just imagine all the wonderful things are about to give to the world so I thank you for joining me and for being my guest and for your friendship. Thank you so much.

Rachel: Thank you so much.

Other Podcasts:

The post Podcast Interview on Geographic Transitions: Secrets and Strategies <br> ポッドキャストインタビュー: 地理的変遷に関する秘訣と行動計画 appeared first on Rachel Leng.

These truly are strange and unprecedented times. Borders have perhaps never been so closed since the advent of globalization, aviation, and international travel. It is hard to believe that this situation is unfolding in an era where increasing numbers of the world’s population is fluid and international flights are taken as much for granted as the convenience of buying groceries in most cities. It now feels surreal that is has been less than a month since my last flight, just before travel bans and restrictions were implemented, lockdowns enforced, and borders shut down globally.

Amid all the confusion in Japan (and globally) with regulatory changes in response to the coronavirus outbreak as infections increase, there is limited updated information in English on how foreign residents and tourists in Tokyo can get tested and treated for the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, much of the information is conflicting or ambiguous.

To clarify important details, I called myLocal Ward Health Center (保健所), the Tokyo Covid-19 Call Center (新型コロナ受診相談窓口), and “Himawari,” (ひまわり) the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Medical Advisory Service (東京都 医療機関 薬局案内サービス) providing a help desk for foreigners and non-Japanese speakers numerous times for more information.

In this article, I wanted to share what I learned concerning:

WHERE to call,

the OVERALL PROCESS from making a call to getting test results,

test ELIGIBILITY requirements
(including possible priority situations!),

what happens when you get HOSPITAL TESTING, &

how much it COSTS to get tested.

For those in Tokyo, I hope that my experience figuring out who to call and what to expect can save others critical time as well as reduce some stress and anxiety, especially for foreign residents and non-Japanese speakers.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on my own personal experience speaking to representatives and staff at the various call centers and services as of April 4, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. As the situation changes day by day, the content I am sharing in this article is intended to be used and must be used for reference and informational purposes only. I cannot make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this article. Any action taken upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and I cannot be held liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of this article. All views expressed are my own and from my own experience, and do not represent the entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. I will not be responsible for any material that is found at the end of links that may be posted on this website. The information presented here should not be used without first assessing your own personal situation, or without consulting with a healthcare professional.

Check Out My List of
Best FREE Courses on COVID-19!

Where to Call?

Note: If you have mild symptoms, or symptoms lasting less than 2 days, you will likely be asked to contact your personal physician. If you do not have a personal physician, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Himawari service can introduce hospitals and clinics for foreigners in Japan (see below).

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS:
Your Local Ward Health Center or Tokyo Himawari

If You DO Speak Japanese:
Your Local Ward Health Center

The best option is to call the health center located in the ward that you are physically located in at the time
(not necessarily the one you live or are registered in, if you are a resident)

PRO:

• Direct: Probably the most direct way to get a fast response with access to a hospital and testing under government medical coverage.
• Updated Information: Health Centers have the most updated information and are able to provide the best consultation on coronavirus issues. 

CON:

• Only Japanese: Most local ward health centers only provide service in Japanese (see “Himawari” for non-Japanese speakers)
• Limited Hours: Ward health centers generally only open 9am-5pm on weekdays.
• Sometimes Inconsistent:Consultation and advice may vary depending on the local ward you are in and the representative you are speaking to. 
• DIfficult to connect: Lines are often engaged, but may depend on which ward’s health center you are trying to call. 

List of Selected Health Centers with higher numbers of foreign residents: Minato Ward:03-3455-4461 Chiyoda Ward: 03-5211-8175 Setagaya Ward: 03-5432-2910 Shinagawa Ward: 03-5742-9105 Meguro Ward: 03-5722-9089 Shibuya Ward: 03-3463-3650

If you DO NOT speak Japanese:
Himawari

Non-Japanese speakers should call Himawari, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Health Advisory Service that has a foreign help desk with assistance in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Thai.

If you have MILD symptoms, Himawari service will be able to inform you of hospitals that can treat international patients or have foreign language speaking doctors.

If you have more SEVERE symptoms that make you eligible to test for coronavirus, Himawari will contact the nearest ward health center on behalf of non-Japanese speakers to make arrangements for an outpatient examination. If the person needs to be tested following the medical assessment, Himawari officials can also later assist in making arrangements for coronavirus testing.

*This service is only provided for coronavirus cases.

PRO:

• Multiple Foreign Languages: Multilingual staff provide service in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai. 
• Easiest to Connect: Of all the relevant numbers you can call, Himawari is the most easily accessible to actually place a call and speak to a representative.
• Recommendations: Can make helpful recommendations for what to do in an emergency, or introduce hospitals and clinics for foreigners in Japan.
• Communications Assistance: Helpful assistance for non-Japanese speakers to contact their local Health Centers and arrange consultations.

CON:

• Lack of Updated Information: Himawari staff are not as informed as those at local ward health centers on protocols concerning coronavirus testing. They have to contact local health centers to relay information back to you.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Foreigner Desk Himawari Phone: 03 5285 8181 Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Thai. Opening times: 9:00am to 8:00pm (including weekends and holidays) Help Provided: Support in foreign languages for consultations, to contact local ward health centers and make arrangements for outpatient examinations, and arrangements for coronavirus testing.

AFTER 5PM OR ON WEEKENDS:

Evening and Weekend Coronavirus Helpline (Japanese only)

Officially the “Tokyo Joint Telephone Consultation Center” (東京都合同電話相談センター) as part of the “Returnee/Recent Contact Phone Consultation Center” (帰国者・接触者電話相談センター) 

Phone: 03-5320-4592

Help Provided: This hotline is supposed to provide the same service as ward health centers after hours, facilitating hospital tests for people with coronavirus symptoms.

*TIP: If you DO NOT speak Japanese, you can contact Himawari first and they will contact the evening & weekend helpline on your behalf (only during Himawari opening hours – 9am to 8pm everyday).

*VERY DIFFICULT TO CONNECT: I did not manage to get through to this line, despite attempting to call more than 40 times over the past couple of days, so cannot comment with further information on what services this hotline provides aside from what was informed by my local Health Center and Himawari. 

FOR GENERAL ADVICE:
The COVID-19 Call Center

Since end of February, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Tokyo Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters, which includes a call center for general advice concerning the coronavirus.

• Phone: 0570-550-571
• Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
• Opening times: 9:00am to 9:00pm (including weekends and holidays)
• Information provided: Measures to prevent infection, what to do if you develop concerning symptoms, advice regarding the novel coronavirus

*Note that this call center via NaviDial will cost 10 yen for every 20 seconds on the line.

PRO:

• Centralized Service: The call center has more information than the “Himawari” foreigner help desk for coronavirus cases (but often not able to provide as much specific information as the local health centers). 
• Multilingual Support: Information for general inquiries about coronavirus provided via a translation service in multiple languages.

CON:

• Expensive!!: the NaviDial at the call center charges at 30 yen per minute!!
• Difficult to Connect: The call center is often engaged and you will get hung up on immediately. Even if you manage to connect, you should expect to be put on hold with a recorded message for a least some time (in my experience, the wait time varied from 30 seconds to 5 minutes before I got redirected to a representative).
• Limited Direct Help: At the time of writing, this call center will not directly provide hospital introductions for you. For any more specific inquiries or if you need to report symptoms and request a hospital visit, you will most likely just be told to call your local ward health office or the Tokyo Government Himawari (see above). 

OVERALL

My Experience:

1. There is quite a lot of discrepancy between information on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website and across the various health centers and service hotlines due to the ever-evolving nature of the outbreak.

2. It is very difficult to call most of the hotlines specific to coronavirus inquiries and testing. Expect to be put on hold or get the engaged dial tone on most calls.

3. When I tried calling most of the provided phone numbers, lines were often engaged, and I was hung up on many times.
Personally, I had better success connecting in the afternoons.
Calling the local ward Health Center directly was the most helpful in providing specific advice and consultations!

TIP: It is highly recommended to arrange a hospital visit via your health center where possible, rather than contacting the hospital directly as you may not be eligible for government medical coverage if you do not go through the local ward health centers (See “COST” section below).

Who Is Eligible for Hospital Testing?

For almost everybody, the bottom line is that you will need to show that you have had a fever of 37.5C or higher for 4 (four) consecutive days before you can request to visit a hospital for testing.

TIP: Symptoms are all SELF-REPORTED, so it is important to keep track of your temperature for all days you are having a fever.

General Population:

If you have symptoms of a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit), fatigue and trouble breathing for FOUR DAYS OR MORE.

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

POSSIBLE EXCEPTION #1:

Elderly Population*, Pregnant Women, or People with Underlying Health Conditions

Elderly people or those who are immunosuppressed should contact a public health center or the hotline AFTER TWO DAYS of having relevant symptoms (>37.5 degrees Celsius fever, fatigue, or trouble breathing) for a case-by-case consultation.

*Elderly Population refers to individuals over the age of 70!

POSSIBLE EXCEPTION #2:

If you have travelled internationally from a “high risk” country or
been in close contact with a COVID-19 infected person
within the last 14 days of having symptoms

You can call your local ward health center for a case-by-case consultation after 2 days of having symptoms (>37.5 degrees Celsius fever with or without respiratory symptoms).

Note: You may need to verify that you were issued a quarantine notice at the airport when entering the country or that you were in contact with a COVID-19 infected person to qualify for priority testing.

International Travel –

For details of countries deemed “high risk for COVID-19”, please go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.Close Contact –

Under national reporting standards, the following are considered cases of having been in close contact:

• Having spent long periods of contact (including in a vehicle or airplane) or lived together with someone suspected of being infected with COVID-19
• Having examined, given care to, or nursed a person suspected of being infected with COVID-19, without taking adequate disease prevention measures
• Are likely to have touched something that has been contaminated by viral particles present in the coughs, sneezes or bodily fluids of someone suspected of being infected with COVID-19

Source: TMG FAQ webpage

*Although your case may be accepted by the health center, you may still be put on a waitlist at the hospital for testing unless you have severe symptoms.

*If you are having severe symptoms, your case may be prioritized for faster testing, expediated depending on your travel or close contact history.

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

Hospital Testing Process

If you qualify for the above eligibility criteria with relevant symptoms to get a test:

1. Consult your Local Ward Health Center (For non-Japanese speakers, contact Himawari to help you arrange consultation if necessary)
    
2. The Ward Health Center will introduce you to a designated hospital where you may conduct a test
   (Usually this is supposed to be immediate or within a few hours once you manage to contact the Health Center, and they will introduce a hospital in or near your local ward. You may experience longer delays over the weekends or in the evenings when local Health Centers are closed.)
    
3. Contact the introduced hospital, citing your referral from the Health Center to arrange an examination
   NOTE: some health centers may assist you in contacting the hospital  
    
4. Go to the hospital for the outpatient examination
   NOTE: you will likely be requested to wear a mask and not take public transport or taxis.
   Health Centers may arrange free transportation for you (by car) if available and necessary. 
    
5. Take the initial outpatient examination 
   NOTE: this will NOT be the PCR test for coronavirus
   (the health examination at this stage usually includes a CT Scan and Blood Test, but doctors may assign more tests on a case-by-case basis)
    
6. Experts or a panel of doctors (variable depending on the hospital) will review your examination results for any abnormalities
    
7. Most test results for the initial examination will take 1-2 days.
   You will be asked to return home to wait, and your local health center will contact you regarding your results.
   NOTE: If your case is prioritized for same-day results, you may be asked to wait at the hospital.
    Previous news reports indicate that the current law in Japan would require everyone who tested positive for COVID-19 be routinely hospitalized, but the following information is what Health Center staff advised me at the time of writing: 
8. FOR SEVERE CASES WITH ABNORMAL RESULTS: If your test shows abnormalities and you have severe symptoms, it will be MANDATORY for you to be hospitalized immediately. Upon hospitalization, experts and doctors will decide whether you will need to take the PCR test for coronavirus.
   (You will not be able to go home from the hospital, so it is advised to bring your belongings with you.) 
    
9. FOR ALL OTHER CASES WITH ABNORMAL RESULTS: If your test results are abnormal, but you have mild to moderate symptoms, you may or may not be subject to routine hospitalization, depending on the doctor’s examination. If it is deemed your case is not severe enough for hospitalization, you will most likely not be asked to take the PCR test. Instead, you will be notified to monitor your health and self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If symptoms worsen, contact your local Health Center.
    
10. FOR CASES WITHOUT ANY ABNORMALITIES DETECTED: Your Health Center will contact you and inform you that your tests came back normal and you are not subjected to any quarantine or hospitalization at this time. 

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

How Much Does It Cost?

TESTING

The Good News:

The actual coronavirus test (a Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] test) itself will be FREE regardless of your nationality or insurance plan.

NOTE: If you end up taking the PCR test after your local Health Center arranged your hospital visit for coronavirus, the test will be FREE regardless of your result. If you are positive, you may be subject to immediate hospitalization.
However, if you go to the hospital directly (NOT through a referral from your local health center for coronavirus), you may incur medical fees for the PCR test if you test negative. 

THE CATCH:

HOWEVER, according to the Minato Ward Health Center when I spoke with them, the number of actual PCR tests conducted are extremely low and hospitals are already very crowded. (>.<;)

Patients who opt to go to the hospital for testing will first have to do a CT scan and blood test (and maybe other tests as well on a case-by-case basis), which will have to PAID FOR BY THEMSELVES.This examination is estimated to cost a minimum of around 30,000~50,000 yen (USD$300-500) without insurance.
(Japanese National Insurance will cover up to 3割 or about 70%.)

HOSPITALIZATION

If you are hospitalized after abnormal outpatient examination results, the Health Center indicates that most of your hospitalization bills related to coronavirus treatment will be covered by the government, but the exact amount of coverage will depend on your specific case as well as individual insurance plan. They will not cover for any other tests, treatments, or medications etc. that you may require during the time you are hospitalized that are not directly related to coronavirus infection.

TIP: It is highly recommended to arrange for a test through your local health center!

If you go to a hospital directly instead of your local ward health center, you may not be eligible for government coverage. Moreover, many hospitals in Japan charge much higher rates (sometimes around ~300% or more of the usual fees) for those who request treatment without a referral or national insurance.

Hope this has been helpful in clarifying some confusion and conflicting information on how you may be eligible for testing for coronavirus, and what to expect from the process of contacting your health center, going to the hospital, and getting your test results in Tokyo.

Note: The above information is only applicable to getting tested for COVID-19 in Tokyo at the time of writing, and the situation may differ in other cities and prefectures in Japan.

STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY EVERYONE!! <3

Related Article:

The post How to Get Tested for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tokyo appeared first on Rachel Leng.

「マンガ」といえば、日本で制作されたコミックがすぐに思い浮かぶかもしれません。しかし、高品質な漫画が世界中で作成されていることをご存知ですか？

Last month, I attended the 13^th Japan International Manga Awards, where 4 winners were selected from hundreds of submissions from around the world. At first, I expected that many of the submissions would be from China and South Korea (both are countries with popular localized versions of manga, called Manhua 漫画 or Manhwa 만화 respectively), or other East Asian countries. I was surprised to learn that many of the winning works and runner-up nominations came from artists in countries such as Israel, Brazil, Spain, and even far flung countries in Africa and the Middle East such as Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Egypt!

先月、私は第13回日本国際漫画賞の授賞式に参加し、そこで世界中から寄せられた何百もの応募の中から4人の受賞者に会いました。 最初は、応募作品の多くが中国か韓国（漫画のローカルバージョンが人気のある国であり、それぞれ、「マンフア」と「マンワ」と呼ばれています）からのものであると予想していましたが、他の東アジアの国々からの応募もありました。受賞作品や準優勝ノミネート作品の多くがイスラエル、ブラジル、スペインなどの国のアーティストからであり、そしてさらにはナイジェリアやアフガニスタンやエジプトなどのアフリカや中東の遠い国々からの応募作品もあることを知って驚きました！

In this blog article, I will share about my experience attending the awards ceremony and also what I have learned about the significance of manga internationally.

今回のブログ記事では、表彰式に参加した私の経験と、国際的にマンガの重要性について学んだことを紹介したいと思います。

Artists came from Thailand, Israel, Spain, Brazil, and their works are available in multiple languages including Hebrew, Thai, Spanish, and Portuguese.

漫画アーティスト達はタイ、イスラエル、スペイン、ブラジルから来場しており、彼らの作品はヘブライ語、タイ語、スペイン語、ポルトガル語を含む複数の言語で書かれています。

The Influence of Manga

漫画の影響

Manga makes up over 40% of all published magazines and books in Japan, and 40% of the movies produced in Japan are anime. The content genre of manga and anime is a huge revenue generator – in 2018, the Japan Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association stated the Manga market was worth 441.4 billion yen (about US$3.96 billion), with the digital Manga market accounting for 44.9% of this (US$1.77 billion). These figures make the manga industry larger than the comics market in America!

日本で出版されたすべての雑誌や本の40％以上を漫画が占め、そして日本で制作された映画の40％はアニメです。 マンガとアニメは日本市場の巨大な収入源です　－　2018年、日本新聞協会の話では、マンガ市場は4,414億円の売上価値があり、デジタル漫画市場はその44.9％を占めているとのことです。これらの数字は、アメリカのコミックマーケットよりも大きくなります！

The recent digitization and internationalization of manga and anime content have resulted in a large global audience. Where Western comics and cartoon animations are typically targeted at children and teenagers, manga and anime have a much wider audience from children and teenagers to adults.

マンガとアニメのコンテンツの最近のデジタル化と国際化により、世界中の多くの視聴者ができました。 欧米のコミックやカートゥーンは、通常、子供や10代の若者を対象としていますが、日本の漫画やアニメは、子供や若者から大人まで、はるかに多くの人に愛読されています。

In this way, manga provides an influential platform for the development of global cultures and for Japan’s “soft power” sharing Japanese pop culture and influencing avid fans of Japan. By reading and understanding manga from around the world, it is fascinating to explore how different social and cultural norms can still be expressed through manga storytelling.

このように、マンガは、グローバル文化の発展と、日本のポップカルチャーになって、熱心なファンを生み出す日本の「ソフトパワー」に影響を与えるプラットフォームを提供します。世界中のマンガを読んで、様々な国の社会的及び文化的ルールがいかにマンガを通じて表現できるかを理解することはとても面白いと思います。

Reading one of the winning international manga works on display at the awards ceremony.
受賞セレモニーでは、受賞した国際マンガ作品の1つを読んで展示します。

About the International Manga Awards

日本国際漫画賞について

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs founded the International MANGA Award in 2007 for the purpose of expanding international exchange and mutual understanding through the MANGA culture which is widely accepted around the world.
This award honors the MANGA artists who are contributing to the development of MANGA culture in the world.

Source: https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/index_e.html

日本から世界に広がるマンガ文化を通じて国際交流と相互理解の輪を広げることを目的として、外務省は、平成19年に国際漫画賞を創設しました。この賞は、海外でマンガ文化の普及に貢献する漫画作家を顕彰するものです。

参考：https://www.manga-award.mofa.go.jp/index.html　

The Gold Award winning work was from Israel.

最優秀賞

Piece of Mind
【ココロノカケラ】

©Guy Lenman
　Nimrod Frydman

Korokke and The Girl Who Said No
【コロッケ　そして「嫌だ」と言った少女】

©2019 Spaceman Project
　/Josep Busquet
　/Jonatan Cantero

I was most captivated by the Silver Award winning manga, “Korokke and the girl who said no” from Spain.

The journey of Korokke, a skilled Oni (devil) fighter who supports humans with good deeds, and Anzu, a girl who refused to accept the restrictive role that society tried to enforce upon her. I thought that the important message of this manga was very heartwarming and believe that it will inspire more people (especially girls!) to have the confidence to take charge of their own life and future. This manga is available in Spanish, English, French and Italian.

私はスペインのシルバー賞を受賞した漫画【コロッケ　そして「嫌だ」と言った少女】に最も魅了されました。

善良で人間をサポートする熟練した鬼の「コロッケ」と、社会が彼女に無理強いしようとした強制的な生活を受け入れることを拒否した少女「アンズ」の旅についての話です。この漫画の大切なメッセージはとても心温まるものだと思い、自分の人生や未来に責任を持つ人が増えると思います。 この漫画は、スペイン語、英語、フランス語、イタリア語で翻訳されています。

Click HERE for the list of other winning works.

My Thoughts

最後に…

It was wonderful to see so many talented young manga artists from all over the world recognized for their creative work. Meeting the young artists brimming with passion for their work was a refreshing experience. I never knew that so many countries had their own versiosn of manga! It was truly fascinating to see how artists from different countries and cultures used various innovative approaches to the genre. What this tells us is that no matter where you are in the world, creating and telling manga stories can transcend both national and cultural borders to bring people together. Once we think about all the ways people bond over and through visual manga storytelling (e.g.: fan clubs, manga conventions, and even just casual conversations), it is easy to understand how the manga world is a connected and shared space for people of all ages and backgrounds.

世界中から集まった才能あふれる若い漫画家たちがクリエイティブな作品を認められたのは嬉しいことでした。作品への情熱にあふれた若いアーティスト達との出会いは、素晴らしい経験でした。 こんなに多くの国が独自のマンガを持っているとは知りませんでした！ 様々な国や文化のアーティスト達がマンガに対して革新的にアプローチをしたことを見るのは本当に素晴らしかったです。これらが私たちに伝えていることは、世界のどこにいても、マンガストーリーを作成して伝えることは、国と文化の境界を越えて人々を繋げることができるということだと思います。 マンガの物語を介して人々が結び付いていること（例えば、ファンクラブ、マンガコンベンション、そして単なるカジュアルな会話など）について考えると、マンガ世界が世代と環境にかかわらずすべての人々と繋がっていることが理解できます。

Related Article:

The post The 13th Japan International Manga Awards <br> 第13回日本国際漫画賞 appeared first on Rachel Leng.

The world was flooded with images of towns inundated by swirling waters after one of the most powerful earthquakes and tsunami ever recorded hit Japan on March 11, 2011. As the extent of the destruction revealed itself on news channels all over the world, it became clear how many thousands of people were missing—including more than half of a locality’s population in some cases. To add to the devastation, anxiety related to the nuclear reactor meltdown and radiation contamination pervaded global media seemingly without end.

2011年3月11日にこれまでに記録された最も強力な地震と津波の1つが日本を襲った後、世界のメディアは渦巻く水によって浸水された町の画像であふれました。 何千もの人々が行方不明になり、中にはそれが地域全体の人口の半分をも上回る場所さえありました。 荒廃に加えて、原子炉のメルトダウンと放射能汚染に関連する終わりのない不安を、グローバルメディアが配信しました。

Catastrophic Earthquake… Powerful Tsunami… Nuclear Reactor Meltdown… Radiation Contamination… Fukushima… Another Chernobyl Disaster in Japan?

The above key phrases made international headlines, and were on the tips of everyone’s tongues.

What comes to your mind when you think about the Fukushima Daiichi Disaster?

壊滅的な地震…強力な津波…原子炉のメルトダウン…放射能汚染…福島…日本でのチェルノブイリ災害になりそう？

上記の重要なフレーズは国際的な見出しとなり、すべての人の話題に昇りました。

福島第一原発事故について考えるとき、何が思い浮かびますか？

Fukushima Disaster Area Tour
福島被災地訪問ツアー

Almost 9 years have passed since the disaster and ensuing months of panic, and the world has gone quiet on news of Fukushima and the 3/11 mega-disaster. The second worst nuclear accident in history faded in memory as the rest of the world continued with their lives. For victims in Fukushima, however, the story has not yet ended. As of 2020, most of the evacuation orders (excluding difficult-to-return zones) have been gradually lifted and returnees have been trickling back to live in their old homes. Misinformation about the nuclear crisis and radiation fallout still cloud Fukushima to this day.

震災から数カ月のパニックが発生してから9年が経過し、世界では福島と3/11の巨大災害のニュースが静かになりました。 歴史上2番目の最悪の原発事故は、今では私達が日常生活を続けていく中で、被災者のことを記憶から消えていっています。 しかし、福島の被災者にとって、話はまだ終わっていません。 2020年1月現在、避難指示のほとんどが解除され、帰還者は元の家に住んでいます。 核危機と放射性降下物に関する誤報は、今日まで福島を原爆雲のように曇らせています。

To understand the magnitude of loss that the disaster area has faced, I joined the Fukushima Disaster Area Tour operated by Japan Wonder Travel. I hope to explore the truth behind what is happening now after years of recovery, and how the locals are rebuilding their hometowns.

被災地が直面した損失の大きさを理解するために、Japan Wonder Travelが運営する福島被災地訪問ツアーに参加しました。 長年をかけて回復した後、現在何が起こっているのか、そして地元住民が将来のために故郷をどのように再建しているかの背後にある真実を探求したいと思います。

Quick Facts on the Fukushima Daiichi Disaster Following a major earthquake, a 15-metre tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three Fukushima Daiichi reactors, causing a nuclear accident on 11 March 2011. All three cores largely melted in the first three days.The accident was rated 7 on the INES scale, due to high radioactive releases over days 4 to 6, putting it on the same scale of nuclear danger as the 1986 Chernobyl accident.  After two weeks, the three reactors (units 1-3) were stable with water addition and by July they were being cooled with recycled water from the new treatment plant. Official ‘cold shutdown condition’ was announced in mid-December. Apart from cooling, the basic ongoing task was to prevent release of radioactive materials, particularly in contaminated water leaked from the three units. Three Tepco employees at the Daiichi and Daini plants were killed directly by the earthquake and tsunami, but there have been no fatalities from the nuclear accident. There have been no deaths or cases of radiation sickness from the nuclear accident, but over 100,000 people were evacuated from their homes to ensure this. With over 18,000 people dead or missing in the tsunami and thousands relocated, 3/11 – as it is commonly called by people in Japan – remains a deeply traumatic moment eight years later. Source: World Nuclear Association

Day Trip to Fukushima Disaster Area
福島被災地への日帰り旅行

At 7:50AM, I meet my guide outside Tokyo Station.
午前7時50分に、東京駅の外でガイドさんに会います。

The drive to our destination, the disaster area in Fukushima, would take about 3 hours.
目的地である福島の被災地へのドライブには約３時間かかります。

During the drive to Fukushima, the tour guide explained the schedule of the day as well as dispelled some of our misperceptions about Fukushima. We would drive through Difficult-to-Return Zones and visit towns affected by the disaster, getting off the van only in inhabitable areas where the evacuation order has been lifted.

福島へのドライブ中、ツアーガイドはその日のスケジュールを説明し、福島についての私たちの誤解を払拭しました。
帰還困難区域を通り抜け、災害の影響を受けた町を訪問し、避難命令が解除された居住地域でのみ車から降りました。

Misperception #1: Not all of “Fukushima” is the Disaster Area

誤解＃1：「福島」は広く、全域が放射能の影響を受けているわけではない

The area affected by the accident is mainly the coastal area of Fukushima Prefecture within a 20km radius from the Daiichi nuclear plant, and NOT the city of Fukushima which is 60km from the coast and has always been safe.

Unfortunately, many people mistakenly associate the entire Fukushima Prefecture with the Daiichi Disaster, and presume that the whole area is exposed to radioactive contamination.
 

まず、事故の影響を受ける地域は主に福島県の第一原子力発電所から半径20km以内の沿岸地域であり、沿岸から60kmで常に安全である福島市ではないことを強調する必要があります。

残念ながら、多くの人々が誤って福島県全体を第一災害と結び付け、地域全体が放射能汚染にさらされていると推測しています。

The important point to understand is that Fukushima Prefecture is the third largest prefecture in Japan (13,783km2, behind Hokkaido and Iwate Prefectures), and is home to vast farmlands and delicious fresh produce as well as beautiful coastlines that were far removed and unaffected by the Daiichi accident. Many areas in the prefecture including Fukushima City, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Iwaki and Koriyama have always been accessible.

重要な点は、福島県は日本で3番目に大きい県（13,783km2、北海道と岩手県に続く）であり、広大な農地とおいしい新鮮な農産物、そして遠く離れて影響を受けなかった美しい海岸線があることです。 福島市、会津若松市、いわき市、郡山市など、県内の多くの地域は常にアクセス可能です。

In fact, as of 2019, the evacuation designated zones affected by the nuclear disaster declined to only 2.5% of the entire prefecture!

実際、2019年時点、原子力災害の影響を受けた避難指示区域は、県全体の2.5％まで減少しています！

Sadly, discriminatory treatment of Fukushima products persists and prices of foodstuffs from the region have not recovered to levels prior to 2011. Many countries and regions still continue to restrict imports of Japanese foodstuffs after 3/11, maintaining strict regulations, such as continued import bans on products from parts of Japan, including Fukushima.

悲しいことに、福島県の製品の差別的扱いが持続し、地域の食料品の価格は2011年以前のレベルまで回復していません。

Interviewed with a local Fukushima newspaper after my first visit to the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Center. 

This is contrary to what is really happening on the ground. From my visit to the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Center in 2018, I learned that Fukushima products are shipped only after they clear tough screening against radioactive contamination, set at a more stringent level than official international guidelines. No Fukushima-grown rice, which is subject to blanket radiation screening, has exhibited levels of radioactivity that exceeded the government-set standard since 2015. Since 2013, no locally grown vegetables or fruit, which go through mandatory sample testing, have registered cesium levels above the official standard since 2013. Local fishermen operate in specified areas off the coast of Fukushima and catch a limited number of species. Arguably, products from Fukushima have less chance of radioactive contamination than from other parts of the world that do not conduct constant screening! The lack of public awareness about these safety levels need to be addressed by repeated efforts to share accurate information.

これは実際に地上で起こっていることとは違います。 2018年の福島県農業技術センターへの訪問から、福島県の製品は、公式の国際ガイドラインよりも厳しいレベルに設定された放射能汚染に対する厳重なスクリーニングをクリアした後にのみ出荷されることを知りました。包括的放射線スクリーニングの対象となる福島県産米は、2015年以降、政府が設定した基準を超える放射線レベルを示していません。地元の漁師は福島県沖の指定された地域で操業し、限られた数の魚を漁獲しています。おそらく、福島県の製品は、絶えずスクリーニングを実施していない世界の他の地域よりも放射能汚染の可能性が低いです！これらの安全レベルに関する一般の認識の欠如は、正確な情報を共有するためのたゆまぬ努力によって対処される必要があります。

Easily reached from Tokyo, Fukushima has everything Japan is famous for, including relaxing onsen, nature and powder snow. Fostering unique traditions of food and culture, the fertile lands of Fukushima produce some of Japan’s best farm produce and sake. Read my other blog articles on harvesting fresh vegetables at the Yoshinoya Farm Fukushima, a tour of the Asahi Brewery Fukushima with pure water and fragrant hops, as well as making my own tofu with an expert from Fukushima’s Kanouya Tofu to discover many other lesser-known attractions in the region!

東京から簡単にアクセスできる福島には、リラックスできる温泉、自然、パウダースノーで覆われた山など、日本で有名な色々な魅力的なものがあります。福島の肥沃な土地は、美味しい食事と歴史深い文化の伝統を育み、日本一の農産物と酒を生産しています。 吉野家ファーム福島での新鮮な野菜の収穫や、純粋な水と香ばしいホップを使ったアサヒビール福島のツアーや、福島の「叶屋豆腐」で自分で豆腐を作り等、たくさんのあまり知られていないものを発見する地域のアトラクションについては、前のブログ記事をぜひご覧ください！

Harvesting Napa Cabbages at the Yoshinoya Farm Fukushima! 

Misperception #2: Radiation Levels and Health Risk

誤解＃2：放射線レベルと健康リスク

At the beginning of the tour, each participant is handed a Geiger counter to monitor radiation levels throughout the day. In Tokyo, my Geiger counter showed average radiation levels measure 0.15~0.2 uSV/h (microsieverts/hour), which is about the world average for natural background radiation according to the World Nuclear Association. 

ツアーの開始時に、各参加者にはガイガーカウンターが渡され、一日を通して放射線レベルを監視します。
私のガイガーカウンターによると、東京では、平均放射線レベルは0.15〜0.2 uSV / h（マイクロシーベルト/時）です。

As you will see later on, except in some hotspots in “difficult-to-return zones,” radiation levels in Fukushima near the Disaster Area — and the associated risk of health damage — are not much different than elsewhere.
 

For reference, the amount of radiation every person on board a flight from Tokyo to New York is 100x more than the total amount we were exposed to during the tour. In other words, I would have to go on the tour for 100 times to have the same radiation exposure as a round trip flight from Tokyo to New York.

下記の通りに、帰還困難区域内の一部地域を除き、被災地付近の福島の放射線レベル、及び関連する健康被害のリスクは、他の地域とそれほど変わりません。

参考までに、東京からニューヨークへのフライトに搭乗するすべての人の放射線量は、ツアー中に被曝した量の100倍です。
つまり、東京からニューヨークへの往復フライトと同じ被曝になるには、100日間ツアーに行かなければなりませんよ。

The restricted areas in Fukushima after the disaster are divided into three zones: Difficult-to-Return Zone, Restricted Habitation Zone and Preparatory Zone for lifting of Evacuation Order. The colored zones on the map fans out to the northwest in the direction of the wind on that day of the nuclear reactor meltdown.

災害後の福島の制限区域の地図を、帰還困難区域、居住制限区域、避難命令解除準備区域の3つの区域に分けて示しています。地図上の色付きのゾーンは、原子炉のメルトダウンの当日、風の方向によって北西に広がっています。

Map of evacuation-designated zones as of April 1, 2017. 
Evacuation orders for additional areas are expected to be lifted in March 2020.
2017年4月1日時点の避難指定区域の地図。
さらに2020年3月には新たな地域で避難指示が解除されます。

In some areas, schools have reopened and residents have been authorized to return to live in their old homes.
During the tour, we will witness the current status of revitalization of these areas.

一部の地域では、学校が再開され、居住者は以前の家に戻って住むことが許可されました。
ツアー中、これらの地域の活性化の現状を目にしました。

On the Road: Approaching the Disaster Area

災害地帯への接近

As we approach the disaster area in Fukushima, I have to admit I feel pretty nervous getting closer to the Fukushima Daiichi plant. 
I am constantly checking my Geiger counter.

福島の被災地に近づくと、原子力発電所に近づくのにかなり緊張していることを認めざるを得ません。
私はガイガーカウンターを常にチェックしています。

We are able to spot cranes over where the Daiichi nuclear plant is located.
第一原子力発電所のある場所にクレーンを見ることができます。

Black storage bags containing contaminated soil in the distance.
遠くに汚染された土壌を含む黒い保管袋。

As we approach our destination, I spot many black storage bags piled up in various fields in the surrounding area. These bags are filled with contaminated soil and are waiting to be transferred to the Interim Storage Facility. This facility is necessary to safely and intensively manage and store the soil and waste until the final disposal. However, where and how they will be safely disposed is still subject to ongoing debate.

目的地に近づくと、周辺地域の色々な場所に積み上げられた多くの黒い収納袋を見ることができます。 これらの袋には汚染された土壌が入っており、適切な保管場所に移されるのを待っています。 それらがどこでどのように安全に処分されるかはまだ議論中です。

Thousands of black bags are yet to be transferred to the Interim Storage Facility.
数千の黒い袋は、適切な保管場所と廃棄場所にまだ移送されていません。

Occasionally, there would be a few seconds of heightened anxiety when the alarms on our Geiger counters went off as we drove through Route 6 in Difficult-to-Return Zones. However, the highest reading I recorded was just over 3.0 uSV (=0.003m㏜), which is still much lower than any dental X-ray, and only lasted a few seconds.

時折、国道6号線を通り抜けたときにガイガーカウンターのアラームが鳴ったときに、数秒間の不安が高まりました。 しかし、この時私が記録した最高の測定値は3.0 uSV（=0.003m㏜）をわずかに上回りました。これはどの歯科用X線よりもずっと低く、数秒間しか続きませんでした。

Namie: “Ghost Town” Brought Back to Life

浪江：”ゴーストタウン”が復活

Our first stop was Namie town.
ツアーの最初の目的地は浪江町でした。

Although Namie Station is open to the public and functioning, it is mostly deserted.
駅は一般公開されており機能していますが、ほとんどが人がいません。

The guide explains that the station has effectively served as a terminus since the disaster, as trains are only permitted to arrive from and depart northwards, towards Sendai. The stretch that connects Namie to Tomioka town in the South is still inoperable as the tracks cross Difficult-to-Return Zones.

ガイドさんは、列車は仙台に向けて北からのみ発着することを許可されているため、駅は災害以来効果的に終点として機能したことを説明しています。 浪江駅と富岡駅を結ぶ区間は、帰還困難区域内を走るためまだ開通していません。

However, there is much to look forward to with the reopening of the train lines connecting Namie to towns in the south! The government recently decided for the tracks to be open again before the Tokyo Olympics 2020. 

今後、南にある町と浪江をつなぐ列車の再開が楽しみです！
政府は、2020年の東京運転を再開する予定です。

With the trains back in operation, we may expect more people to visit Namie Station and the surrounding towns!
より多くの人々が浪江駅や周辺の町を訪れることを期待しているかもしれません！

A radiation monitoring post set up by the government in front of Namie Station indicates levels of ~0.2 uSV/h (similar to levels in Tokyo, and lower than the USA average of ~0.34 uSV/h according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

浪江駅前に政府が設置した放射線モニタリングポストは、〜0.2 uSV / hのレベルを示しています
（東京のレベルに近く、米国の原子力規制委員会によると、米国の平均〜0.34 uSV / hよりも低い）。 

Walking through the town, I felt like I had stepped into a real-life version of a post-apocalyptic landscape often featured in so many Japanese movies and anime. Aside from the occasional police car or fire truck run by a squadron of community volunteers to make sure their town stays safe, it sometimes seemed like I was the only person around for miles.

町を歩いていると、多くの日本の映画やアニメで見た黙示録的な風景の現実のバージョンに足を踏み入れたように感じました。
町の安全を確保するために時折パトカーやコミュニティボランティア隊が走る消防車を除けば、周りにいるのは私だけであるように思えました。

Not a Person in Sight: Walking along the deserted main streets through Namie town.
一人もいない：浪江町の人通りのない大通りに沿って歩く。


Broken Window to the Past: Peering into a restaurant abandoned in disarray, the harshness of the setting forces me to think about the pandemonium that erupted after the natural disaster and ensuing nuclear danger. 
過去への壊れた窓：混乱して捨てられた家を覗き込むと、一見しただけでその厳しさが私を自然災害とそれに続く核の危険の後の大混乱について考えさせられます。

It was an eerie experience to walk through a town as if it were suspended in time. Many buildings remain derelict and untouched after the disaster.

時が止まってしまった町を時間内に歩くのは不気味な経験でした。 多くの家、学校、およびレストランは、災害後も遺棄されたままです。

I could still see the destructive impact of the disaster at restaurants around Namie that were evacuated just as they were preparing to open for business. Empty tables and chairs gather years of dust, and debris litters the floor inside. They serve as a constant reminder of what happened that terrible day…

震災当時の影響は、開業の準備をしていた浪江周辺のさまざまなレストランやバーで、今でも見られます。 空のテーブルと椅子は何年ものほこりを集め、内部の床にはゴミが散らばっています。それらはその当日に何が起こったのかを常に思い出させるものとして残っています…

In front of a deserted izakaya (japanese pub, top) and yakiniku (grilled meat, bottom) restaurant.
捨てられた焼肉レストランの前。


The haunting sight of children’s’ shoes at the entrance to their school, left untouched in lockers for over 8 years since the disaster.　(In Japan, students change to “indoor” shoes upon entering the school. For these children, they never had the chance to change their shoes to head home before the disaster hit.)
学校の入り口にある子供たちの下駄箱は、震災から8年以上の間、片付けられずにいました。

My heart fills heavy thinking about how these kids had to bear the crushing weight of the possibility that they may be the last surviving members of their family during the evacuation.

私の心は、これらの子供たちが避難中に家族の中で最後の生き残った一人になるとしたら、どのような心理的な負担があるのだろうと考えると、とてもいたたまれない気持ちになりました。

Nevertheless, hope for rebirth is evident in this town, and residents are slowly rebuilding their lives. All of Namie’s former residents were scattered across Japan after the evacuation, but we are beginning to see the results of government efforts to urge people to return to their hometown.

それにもかかわらず、この町には再生の希望があり、住民はゆっくりと生活を立て直しています。 浪江の住民は全員、避難後に日本中に散らばりましたが、人々が故郷に戻るよう促す政府の努力の結果を見始めています。

Since the evacuation order was lifted in 2017, Namie residents have gradually begun to move back into and rebuild their former homes.
2017年に避難命令が解除されて以来、浪江の住民は徐々に元の家に戻り、再建し始めました。

Of the 21,000 former Namie residents, only about 1200 now (as of Dec 2019) live there since they have been allowed to return, including decontamination workers who work on sites nearby. Most of the returnees are elderly.

One of the main issues preventing families with children from moving into Namie is the lack of education. All schools in Namie had been shut down after the 3/11 disaster. Although a gleaming new elementary school has been opened by the Fukushima Prefectural Board of Education in 2018, young families are hesitant to uproot their lives again and return.

21,000人の元浪江住民のうち、近くの現場で働く除染作業者を含め、帰還が許可されて以来、２０１９年１２月時点約1200人だけがそこに住んでいます。 帰還者のほとんどは高齢者です。

子どものいる家族が浪江に引っ越すことを妨げる主な問題の1つは、学校の問題です。 3/11の災害の後、浪江のすべての学校は閉鎖されました。 2018年に福島県教育委員会によってキラキラと光る新しい小学校が開設されましたが、若い家族は生活を再び最初から始めることにためらっています。

The Namie Post Office is open for residents to send and receive mail.
浪江郵便局は、居住者が使えるように開放されております。


We were fortunate enough for our tour visit to coincide with a local community day!
幸運にも、私たちのツアー訪問は地元のコミュニティ開放日と一致しました。

Blue skies welcome us as we arrive at the Machi-Nami-Marche, a neighborhood market next to the City Hall where Namie residents can gather with family and friends to enjoy local food, fresh produce, and shopping.

市役所の隣にある町市場に到着すると、青空が私たちを歓迎してくれました。町市場は、地元の食べ物、新鮮な食材、ショッピングを楽しむために浪江住民が家族や友人と集まることができます。

A Namie resident hands me a limited edition blanket with the well wishes for everyone to stay warm this winter.
地元の浪江の住人が、この冬を暖かく過ごしてほしいという願いを込めて、浪江限定の毛布を渡してくれました。


Interacting with some of the locals, I was moved by how brightly their confidence in and affection for their hometown shines through. They are unafraid, and are determined to work tirelessly towards the revival of Namie.

地元の人々と交流することで、彼らの故郷に対する自信と愛情がどれほど明るく輝いているかに感動しました。 彼らは恐れることなく、浪江の復活に向けてたゆまぬ努力をする決意です。

For lunch, I tried some Namie Yakisoba from a local food stall! 
地元の屋台の浪江焼きそばをランチに食べました。


Namie Yakisoba, different from the usual yakisoba that you might find in Tokyo, is renowned for its thick noodles, sprouts, and pork slices, stir-fried in dark, thick sauce full of umami!
名物の“極太麺・もやし・豚肉・うまみたっぷり濃厚ソース”の「なみえ焼そば」を食べてみました！美味しかったです～！

Ranch of Hope
「希望の牧場」

The stop on the tour that left the strongest impression on me was the visit to the Yoshizawa Ranch owned by cattle farmer Masami Yoshizawa, which he has renamed the “Ranch of Hope” (Kibou no Bokujyou) after the disaster.

一番印象に残ったのは、牧場経営者である吉沢さんが所有する吉沢牧場を訪れたことです。彼は震災後に「希望の牧場」と改名しました。

At the Yoshizawa Ranch office.


Yoshizawa-san shared with us his despair when he realized cattle were starving to death after farms were evacuated.
吉沢さんは、農場を避難した後、牛が餓死していることに気づいたときの絶望感を話してくれました。

When Yoshizawa-san decided to move back to his ranch in Namie as part of a one-man protest, he renamed it the “Ranch of Hope.” Disregarding state instructions to kill his cattle, Yoshizawa-san has been singlehandedly caring for about 260 cows at his 80-acre ranch.

吉沢さんは、一人で抗議の一環として浪江の農場に戻ることを決めたとき、「希望の農場」と改名しました。牛を殺すという政府の指示を無視して、今でも吉沢さんは80エーカーの農場で独力で約260頭の牛を育てています。


A carefully arranged pile of cattle skulls serves as a memorial to the cows that have died in the aftermath of 3/11.
慎重に積み上げられた牛の頭蓋骨の山は、3/11の余波で死んだ牛の記念碑として造られました。

The cattle on the “Ranchof Hope” have been exposed to radiation and are banned from being sold for meat. Although Yoshizawa’s job as a cattle farmer before the disaster involved raising cattle for slaughter, he now vows to protect the cows. His mission and purpose is vividly amplified with an imposing “Cow Gozilla” installation at the entrance of the farm.

「希望の牧場」は放射線にさらされており、肉の販売は禁止されています。
災害前の牛農家としての吉沢さんの仕事は、屠殺のために牛を育てることでしたが、今では牛を守ることを誓っています。
彼の使命と目的は、農場の入り口で印象的な「カウ・ゴジラ」インスタレーションによって明確に理解できます。



“Cow Gozilla is Coming!”: Yoshizawa-san protests that the government should take responsibility for the daunting reality that human recklessness has subjected cattle to a radioactive existence, and cannot simply erase it by killing them.

「カウ・ゴジラがやってくる！」：吉沢さんは、人間の無謀さが牛を放射能にさらし、殺すだけでそれを消すことができないという恐ろしい現実に政府が責任を負うべきだと抗議しています。


According to Yoshizawa-san, the Cow Gozilla installation aptly represents the plight of cows suffering from the nuclear disaster. The story of Godzilla is perhaps one of the most widely recognized metaphors for the nuclear age, representing the technological hubris of man provoking the anger of nature by attempting, but failing, to harness the power of radiation.

吉沢さんによると、カウ・ゴジラのインスタレーションは核災害に苦しんでいる牛の現実をうまく表しているということです。 ゴジラの物語は、核時代の最も広く認識されているものの一つであり、放射線の力を利用しようとするが失敗することによって自然の怒りを引き起こす人間の技術的自信過剰を表しています。



Yoshizawa-san accuses the government of wanting to kill the cows to erase the inconvenient reality of the nuclear crisis. Refusing to simply let the state rewrite the repercussions of the disaster, he has committed his life to raising awareness about what happened in Namie.

吉沢さんは、政府が核危機の不合理な現実を消すために牛を殺したいのだと非難しています。 単純に国家に災害の影響を書き直させることを拒否して、彼は浪江で何が起こったかについての意識を高めることに人生を捧げました。


In Yoshizawa-san’s eyes, the forgotten cows also suffer alongside the thousands of families that were forced to abandon their homes. As victims, these cattle deserve protection, not extermination.

吉沢さんの目には、忘れられていた牛は、家を捨てざるを得なかった何千もの家族とともに苦しんでいるように映っています。
犠牲者として、これらの牛は絶滅ではなく保護に値すると考えます。


The Geiger reading on the Farm of Hope is similar to levels in habitable areas of Namie town.
希望の牧場でのガイガーは、浪江町の居住地域のレベルに近いです。

In addition to having free range across vast pastures, the cows are fed plenty of cabbages, bananas, and even pineapple skins! To feed almost 300 cows is no small task (they eat over 3 tons of food a day!), and Yoshizawa-san receives generous donations of cow feed from organizations empathetic to his cause. More importantly, nothing can replace the fact that these cows live a happy and stress free life, knowing that they are taken care of and will not be sent to slaughter.

広大な牧草地に放し飼いにされていることに加えて、乳牛にはキャベツ、バナナ、
さらにはパイナップルの皮がたくさん与えられています！
約300頭の牛に給餌することは簡単なことではありません（1日に3トン以上の食べ物を与えるべきです！）。
吉沢さんは、彼の大義に共感する組織から牛の餌の寛大な寄付を受け取ります。
さらに重要なのは、これらの牛が幸せでストレスのない生活を送っており、世話をされ、
屠殺に至らないことを知っているということです。


Yoshizawa-san is a self-proclaimed custodian of cattle on his Farm of Hope:
“It is not about the difference between cows or humans. It is an issue about life.”

吉沢さんは、希望の牧場にいる牛の自称“保護者”です。
「それは牛と人間の違いについてではありません。 それは人生に関する問題です。」と話してくれました。

After spending some time on the farm, visitors will recognize that each and every cow is a living being with a unique name, personality, and life experience. Yoshizawa-san regards all of his cows as “good friends.” Perhaps then it is not so radical for him to want to protect them until they die naturally in the same way parents protect their own children.

農場でしばらく過ごした後、訪問者は、すべての牛が個人の名前、性格、人生経験を持つ生き物であることを認識するでしょう。 吉沢さんは自分の牛を「良い仲間」と考えています。おそらく、親が自分の子供を守るのと同じように自然に死ぬまで、牛を守りたいと思うのは彼にとってそれほど過激なことではないでしょう。

Ukedo Coastline: Aftermath of the Tsunami

請戸海岸線：津波の余波

The Ukedo coastal area in Namie town was one of the hardest hit places ripped apart by the tsunami on March 11, 2011.

浪江町の請戸海岸地域は、2011年3月11日に津波によって最も大きな打撃を受けた場所の1つでした。

Since the disaster, a new seawall has been built.
災害以来、新しい護岸が建設されました。


You can enjoy beautiful views from the top of the seawall!

防波堤の上から、無限の水平線を眺めることができます。


In the distance, you can spot construction cranes looming over TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.
遠くでは、東京電力の福島第一原子力発電所にある建設用クレーンを見ることができます。

The government has already effectively decontaminated this area, but returnees are slow to trickle back. Looking around, one can hardly blame them: abandoned rice paddies, a few dilapidated houses, and the Ukedo Elementary School are all that remain in the wake of the 15-m high tsunami. Houses are no longer allowed to be built near the coast in Ukedo.

政府はすでにこの地域の汚染を効果的に除染していますが、帰還者は戻ってくるのが遅いです。周囲を見渡せば、彼らを非難することはほとんどできません：放棄された水田、いくつかの老朽化した家屋、請戸小学校は、すべて高さ15 mの津波の影響を受けたままです。請戸の海岸近くに家を建てることは今では許可されなくなりました。

Driving through the area, we passed by several barricaded areas where where the debris caused by tsunami and caused by demolishing the buildings are stored. 
この地域を通り抜けると、災害で破損した大きな物体が保管されているいくつかのバリケード地域があります。

Ukedo Elementary School is located only 300 meters away from the beach. 

When the earthquake struck, there were around 80 pupils at the school. 

Teachers had 8 minutes to make one of the most important decisions for the lives of their students.
To stay, or to evacuate?

As schools in Japan are designated disaster evacuation centers, the official guidelines instructed keeping the children inside. Fortunately, the teachers ignored this, and led all students to the nearby hill, Ohirayama, about 1.5km away.

請戸小学校は、ビーチからわずか300メートルの場所にあります。
残念ながら、小学生にとってこの一見楽しい場所は、2011年3月11日に最も危険な場所の1つになりました。

地震が起きたとき、学校には約80人の生徒がいました。

教師は、生徒の生活にとって最も重要な決定を行うために8分の時間を費やしました。
滞在するか、避難するか？
幸いなことに、教師はすべての生徒を約1.5 km離れた大平山の近くの丘に誘導しました。

The school clock is forever stopped at 3:38pm in the afternoon – the time that the tsunami hit and electricity was cut.
学校の時計は午後3時38分で永久に停止しています。これは津波が襲い、電気が切れた時間です。

The waterline near the roof of the building marks how far up the tsunami reached.
If they had stayed in the school, everyone would have been in danger.

建物の屋根の近くの喫水線は、津波がどれほど遠くまで到達したかを示しています。
もし彼らが学校に滞在していたなら、誰もが危険にさらされていたでしょう。

View from the top of Ohirayama.
大平山の頂上からの風景。
 

Plaque commemorating the names of those who were lost to the tsunami at Ohirayama.
津波で亡くなった人々の名前を刻んだ記念碑。

Many of the children lost their families in the tsunami, but fortunately,
not one child or staff member from the school died in the disaster.

多くの子どもたちは津波で家族を失いましたが、幸いなことに、
ここではこの災害で子どもも学校の職員も一人も亡くなりませんでした。

I cannot even begin to imagine what those schoolchildren must have gone through after watching their homes destroyed by one of the worst tsunamis in history.
The following day, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant exploded and Namie town began its evacuation.

歴史上最悪の津波の1つによって破壊された彼らの家を見た後、それらの学童が何を経験したか想像することさえできません。
翌日、福島第一原子力発電所が爆発し、浪江町の避難が始まりました。

Listening to this story whilst standing in front of the now-empty school and retracing their steps to Ohirayama is difficult and saddening, yet warms my heart with relief knowing that no lives were lost. There were other places along the east coast where the story ended far more tragically. Nonetheless, what remains of the Ukedo Elementary School serves as an important testimonial to the courage of the staff and students on that day to think and act independently.

空になった学校の前に立って大平山への道をたどりながらこの話を聞くことは辛く悲しくもありますが、命が失われなかったことを知って安心してホッとしました。 東海岸には、さらに悲劇的に物語が終わった場所が他にもありました。 それにもかかわらず、請戸小学校に残っているものは、その日、スタッフと生徒が独立して考え、行動する勇気を示す重要な証です。
 

Tomioka Town:
Cherish the Transient Cherry Blossoms

富岡町：桜を思い浮かべて

In April 2017, the evacuation order for 85% of Tomioka town was lifted and life is slowly starting again as people return to the area.

2017年4月、富岡町の85％の避難命令が解除され、人々がこの地域に戻ったため、生活はゆっくりと再開されました。

The government has built new houses in Tomioka for families to move into.
政府は富岡に家族が入居できる新しい家を建てました。

We met with Nakayama-san who tells us her story of life, resilience and recovery in her hometown. She shared that one of her most depressing memories after the disaster was having to obtain a special permit and wear a full protective suit to enter her own home.

富岡在住の仲山さんに会いました。
仲山さんは、故郷での生活、復興力、復興の物語を話してくれました。
彼女は、災害後の最も憂鬱な思い出の1つは、特別な許可を取得し、完全な防護服を着て自分の家に入ることでした。

In the chaotic aftermath of the disaster, abandoned houses became prime targets for thieves.
災害の混乱の余波で、廃屋は泥棒の主な標的になりました。

Identifying the Thief: Houses with windows shattered below waist-level were broken into by wild boar. Anything damaged above waist-level was broken by human robbers.

泥棒の判別の仕方：腰の高さより下に窓が砕けている家は、イノシシによって破壊されました。
腰の高さを超えて損傷した窓は、強盗によって破壊されました。

Before the disaster, Tomioka was known for the sakura (cherry blossoms) that bloom along the town’s main boulevard. Unfortunately, most of this street is still cordoned off in the Difficult-to-Return zone due to higher radioactivity levels. Only residents and workers can get special permits to enter the area for short periods of time.

富岡は、震災前、町の大通りに沿って咲く桜で知られていました。
残念なことに、この通りのほとんどは、放射線レベルが高いため、帰還困難区域ではまだ閉鎖されています。
居住者と労働者のみ、短期間でエリアへの特別な許可を得ることができます。

Looking through the barricade, I imagine it must be beautiful when the cherry trees burst in full bloom and fill the street with pink petals.
バリケードを覗くと、桜が満開になり、通りをピンク色の花びらでいっぱいになるのは美しい光景だと思います。

This year, the Sakura Festival will be held again just like before the disaster.
Nakayama-san beseeches all visitors to think of Tomioka town whenever they think of cherry blossoms. It is hoped that this festival will become the trigger to bring back the town’s vitality little by little, moving Tomioka steadily forward toward reconstruction and new urban development.

オリンピック2020前の春、震災前と同じように桜祭りが再び開催されます。
仲山さんは桜を思うたびに富岡町を思い浮かべるようにお願いします。
この祭りが町の活気を少しずつ取り戻すきっかけとなり、
富岡市が復興と新しい都市開発に向けて着実に前進することが期待されています。

Last Reflections
最後に寄せて

During my time in Japan so far, this eye-opening tour has been one of the most meaningful experiences.

Passing through grim and mysterious forgotten towns, contemplating the world before all the destruction and suffering was unleashed, really gives you a different life perspective as you explore their survival and determined recovery. This tour not only allows you to uncover stories about the disaster, but also provides you a personal, profound look into the bravery, resiliency, hope, love and compassion in the face of disaster.

これまでの日本滞在中、この目を見張るようなツアーは最も有意義な体験の1つでした。

すべての破壊と苦しみが解き放たれる前に世界を熟考し、厳しくて忘れられた町を通り抜けて、彼らが生存と断固たる復興を願うとき、あなたは本当に人生の見方が変わります。
このツアーでは、災害に関するストーリーを明らかにするだけでなく、災害に直面した際の勇気、回復力、希望、愛、思いやりを個人的に深く掘り下げることができます。

It is important to highlight that at the end of the day, the total radiation to which we were subjected to was only 0.001mSv, 100x less than a round trip flight from Tokyo to New York (which would measure a total of 0.1 mSV)!

1日の終わりに被曝した総放射線量はわずか0.001 mSvであり、東京からニューヨークへの往復飛行（合計0.1 mSVと測定される）の100分の一です！

After the tour, I have developed a newfound respect for all survivors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident. The decision of many to devote their lives to the recovery of their hometowns in the face of countless hardships and unknown threats is not a foolhardy one. In my mind, each and every one is a hero in his or her own right. They are selflessly focusing on the future, without being intimated by the past, working tirelessly to improve the situation. Unfortunately, prejudice against people in and from Fukushima, as well as the exaggerated perception of the impact of radiation exposure, persist.

ツアーの後、私は福島第一原発事故の生存者全員に新たに敬意を表しました。数え切れない程の困難と未知の脅威に直面して、故郷の復興に人生を捧げるという多くの決定は、無謀なものではありません。 私の考えでは、一人ひとりが英雄です。彼らは、過去を惜しむことなく、状況を改善するためにたゆまぬ努力をして、無私無欲になって未来に焦点を合わせています。 残念ながら、福島県の人々に対する偏見と、放射線被ばくの影響に対する誇張された認識が続いています。

The more we care for and support others, the more joy and light will come into our own lives.
It really seems like the beginning of a new future awaits the Fukushima Disaster Area in the years to come…

他の人を大切にし、支援すればするほど、より多くの喜びと光が私たちの生活にもたらされると信じています。
福島の被災地には、今後数年のうちに新しい未来の始まりが待ち受けているようです。

Related Articles:

The post Fukushima Disaster Area Tour<br>福島被災地訪問ツアー appeared first on Rachel Leng.

Zia Mody has been ranked the #1 most powerful woman in India by Fortune magazine.

I had the opportunity to meet with Mrs. Zia Mody when she previously delivered a lecture at the International House of Japan for the “Japan-India Distinguished Visitors Program”. 

As the indisputable leader in Indian corporate law and ranked the #1 most powerful woman in India by Fortune magazine, it was very stimulating to hear her analysis of India’s future potential. Her firm, AZB & Partners, is rated first among the top law firms for mergers and acquisitions. After better understanding Zia Mody’s background and career path (full of a whole lot of pure determination and hard work!), I was even more inspired by how she has managed to achieve so much (well-deserved) success. She is a true role model not only for women in India, but for anyone who aims to achieve the best in their field internationally.

ジア・モディ氏が【日印対話プログラム】のために国際文化会館で講演を行った際に、私は会う機会をいただきました。

インドの会社法のゆるぎのないリーダーであり、フォーチュン誌によってインドで最も強力な女性の第1位に選出されましたインドの将来の可能性に関する彼女の講演を聞くことは非常に刺激的でした。 ジア・モディ氏の会社であるAZB＆Partnersは、合併と買収で大手の法律事務所の中で最初に評価されています。　モディ氏のバックグラウンドとキャリアパス（純粋な決意とハードワークがいっぱい詰まっている！）はインドの女性だけでなく、自分の分野で国際的に成功することを目指している人にとってのロールモデルです。

In this post, I will share some key takeaways from her talk on “Further Changing India: Business, Women” and career advice from my meeting with her.

I hope that you may also learn something new and find inspiration together with me.

今回のブログでは、「インドのさらなる可能性―ビジネス、法律、女性の視点から」に関するジア・モディ氏の講演から重要なポイントと、彼女との出会いとキャリアアドバイスを皆様にシェアしたいと思います。

また、私と一緒に新しいことを学び、インスピレーションを得られることを願っています。

Meeting Zia Mody
ジア・モディとの出会い

My Key Takeaways
私が聞いた重要なポイント

Ms. Mody spoke on the intriguing possibilities of and in India, as well as how she has been working to bring change to Indian society from the perspective of business, law and women. It was stimulating to hear first-hand about the fast pace of change in present-day India, making it an especially exciting and fruitful place for business.

モディ氏は、インドの未来の可能性の魅力について語り、ビジネス、法律、女性の観点からインド社会に変化をもたらすためにどのように取り組んでいるかについて話しました。 変化の激しいインドがどのように進んでいるのかを直接知ることができたので、インドのビジネスにおいて特にエキサイティングで実り多い国だと知りました。

On Rural India:

• Almost 70% of India’s population lives in rural areas (according to recent data, the rural–urban distribution is 68.84% and 31.16%).
• Greatest growth potential for India in the near future can be unlocked if rural India were provided better infrastructure, bridging the rural-urban divide.
   

インドの農村地域について：

• インドの人口のほぼ70％が農村地域に住んでいます（最近のデータによると、農村部と都市部の分布は68.84％と31.16％です）。
• インドの農村地域がより良いインフラストラクチャを提供して、農村部と都市部の格差を埋めるならば、近い将来のインドはとても成長する可能性があります。

On Indian Youth:

• Latest Census data shows nearly 41% of India’s population is below the age of 20!
• India’s population demographics with surging numbers of youth is the OPPOSITE to Japan’s aging society
• Youth society implies huge potential for development especially with the fast adoption of technology
• However, problems could arise with unemployment (leading to societal restlessness and instability) – India’s youth unemployment is relatively high, hovering around 20%

インドの若者について：

• 最新の国勢調査のデータは若者の急増を示しています。インドの人口のほぼ41％が20歳未満です！
• 急増する若者を抱えるインドの人口統計は、日本の高齢化社会の反対です
• 若者社会は、特にテクノロジーの急速な発展により、開発の大きな可能性を示しています
• ただし、若者の失業においては問題が発生する可能性があります（社会の安定と不安定）–インドの若者の失業率も比較的高く、約20％になります。

On Women in India:

• Mody is a strong advocate in bringing about changes in legislation supporting women, especially their financial independence
  • Mody has pushed for legislation that would empower more women through microfinancing and enabling women to open bank accounts in their name
• India was 14^th in 14 major Asian markets in MasterCard’s “Worldwide Index of Women’s Advancement”
  • 99% of women are in informal sector; 1/3 of agricultural workers are female
• If participation of women in the economy were at par with men, India could increase GDP up to 60% by 2025!
• Advice to businesses: “Hire us because you want to, because we are good and because you are willing to train us; not because you have to.” – Zia Mody
   

インドの女性について:

• モディ氏は、女性、特に経済的自立を支援する法律の改正をもたらす強力な支持者です。
• マイクロファイナンスを通じてより多くの女性に力を与える、または女性が自分の名前で銀行口座を開設できるようにする法律を推進しました
• インドは、MasterCardの「Worldwide Index of Women’s Advancement」のアジアの主要14市場で14位最下位です。
• 女性の99％はインフォーマルセクターです。農業労働者の1/3は女性です。
• 女性の経済参加が男性と同等であれば、インドは2025年までにGDPを最大60％増加させる可能性があります！
• 企業へのアドバイス：「あなたが望んでいるから、女性たちが良いから、そして女性たちを訓練する意思があるから、女性たちを雇ってください。しなければならないからではありません。」

Career Advice:

Mody’s advice to young women striving for a successful career was particularly inspirational for me. Based on her own career experiences, she understands fully that there is nothing that can replace the results of hard work and steadfast determination.

Mody shared her story of how when she first started working, she was paid half the salary of her male colleagues. Rather than being discouraged, she made the commitment to work more than twice as hard than others in order to be better than everyone else. And so she did.

According to Mody, “hard work, a sense of self-worth, and passion for what you do are the cornerstones to success.”

Standing tall on the stage, it is hard to believe that Ms. Zia Mody is over 60 years old from the strength in her poise and steady resilience of her speech.
 

キャリアアドバイス：

キャリアを成功させるために努力している若い女性へのモディ氏のアドバイスは、私にとって特にインスパイアされました。 彼女自身のキャリア経験に基づいて、彼女のハードワークと揺るぎない決意の結果を深く理解することができました。

モディ氏自身の経験では、最初に働き始めたとき、女性として、男性の同僚の給与の半分しか受け取っていなかったのです。あの時、モディ氏は落胆するのではなく、他の誰よりも優れているために、他の人よりも2倍以上努力することを決めました。 そして、彼女はそのように行動しました。

モディ氏によれば、「勤勉、自尊心、そしてあなたがすることへの情熱こそが成功の礎です。」と話してくれました。

ステージに立つと、彼女の冷静さと力強さをとても感じました。モディ氏が60才以上であるとはとても信じられませんでした。これからも色々活躍されると思います。そして、とても尊敬できる女性です。

After meeting with Ms. Zia Mody, I feel renewed with energy and motivation to tackle my own career challenges. I look forward to creating my own (business, career, and life) opportunities with India in the near future.

モディ氏に会った後、私は自分のキャリアの課題に取り組むためのエネルギーやモチベーションを新たに感じました。 近い将来に、インドと自分の機会（ビジネス、キャリア、人生など）縁を作ることを楽しみにしています。

More on Zia Mody, a true powerhouse!

The post Zia Mody <br> ジア・モディ appeared first on Rachel Leng.