KIZUNA YOUTH PROGRAM Group D- TEAM PNG - The University ...

10
RADIATION AND AGRICULTURE
Since the Great East Japan Earthquake, consumers in and outside of Japan have been
avoiding crops products made in Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture because they are from
Ibaraki, a neighbouring prefecture of Fukushima where nuclear accidents happened,
despite the fact that radioactive content has been demonstrated to be below health risk
levels. The number of tourists visiting Ibaraki has also declined drastically. Even though
the atmospheric radioactive level is below health risk levels, the very name “Ibaraki”
alienates sightseeing tourists. Thus, the economy of Ibaraki Prefecture has been hard hit.
The term “harmful rumors” refers to this kind of prejudice toward products ad people of
certain areas arising from groundless information and erroneous perceptions that
results in economic and psychological damage to the affected areas. Harmful rumours
are not just a physical harm, but it destroys the sovereignty and pride of a nation; and
the economy and creates ill feeling among the people to hate each other. It also has
serious psychological effects. In fact the government of Japan and most farmers have
expressed concerns that investment in the agriculture has being declining since the
disaster. In an effort to address the concern the government of Japan bought the young
pacific Islanders to witness the agriculture farm and test the radiation level.
These harmful rumours have also made it an issue in the world market as well as the
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The false rumour has now
become an issue which every stake holder in Japan are making sure to dispel the
information and give the accurate information based on scientific testings.
There is also a decline in the market of the agriculture produce for most of the farmers
at Ibaraki Prefecture (Yuki City) due to the negative spill over’s from the local and
international media. After going through the radiation test at the radiation level was
lower than the normal radiation level which conclusions was made that their was no
contamination of food. The people of Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture are working very
hard to fight against these harmful rumors that have spread throughout Japan and
abroad. They are engaged in rent less efforts to implement many activities that promote
the charms of the area and the safety of local food. They (people) developed a platform,
aimed at improving effectiveness and efficiency in the knowledge sharing and capacity
development through the new and the existing systems which are functioning under as
operational framework. The framework is to see that farmers and the government are
working together to developing people to people understanding like the Kizuna Project
to help farmers to market and advertise their produce internationally.
Education (Schools)
Schools were destroyed and children’s educational future was disturbed. The rumour of
radiation did not even affect the students living in the affected areas. Refer to the retyped
report below.
10