Fukushima residents find new homes in Okinawa

It is a truly difficult difficult decision for these families to make this move down here. The economic situation down here is poor at best and finding jobs are extremely difficult even for the people who live here.

It's easier for one's that have family here but I have met many that have no families here and are hard pressed to make ends meet.

"Mama, why didn’t you leave?"

or

"Mama, why did you go?" The mothers who have to ask these questions for the rest of their lives, and then to explain to their children why the family is scattered around Japan. Haunting. So preventable, it seems, but then of course some people make a lot of money from cutting corners on nuclear safety.

Another fine article by Yuri Kageyama.

Another good reason to get rid of the useless US bases in Okinawa.

The space is needed for people to live in.

Bye US military!

"Okinawa is about as far away as one can get from Fukushima without leaving Japan"

What about the Senkaku Islands?

Oh Bertie, you'll use anything to spout your anti-base agenda won't you?

Anyone who has been on Okinawa for any amount of time knows that if the bases go, the land will probably sit undeveloped for decades. Then, when they do decide to develop, they will build shopping malls and pachinko parlors along with a few upscale housing areas. Then when they stop bringing in money, it will end up looking like ginowan on 58.

But I digress, good to see that some people are doing what they have to in order to get away from Fukushima. Not sure Okinawa would be the best choice job wise though.

I like Okinawa...it still has that quiet appeal to it.

The OP, and Stephan Jez, and to the editors of this paper. The residence of Fukushima are not leaving. If anything, this is a temporary displacement. The media has done a pitiful job of portraying the events in Fukushima and the lies and misrepresentation has to stop. Just because a few Fukushima residents get their faces on the paper and decry what's happening doesn't mean that there is a real radiation problem. It is faulty logic. Do not portray Fukushima in this way. It is just bad press filled with slippery slope analogies.

Thank you.

@ Nippon Nation

Well yes, and Japanese people like to over exaggerate things. Still can’t believe that some Japanese individuals think that Fukushima is A LOT worse than Chernobyl… No Japan…if Godzilla were to happen, it would be from Ukraine. Sorry.

midnul So true. It seems, however, that not only Japanese but people of other nationalities like to exaggerate, too, hardly making any effort to think logically or search for facts from more than one source. While I can understand the fears in the first days and weeks after the accident, it is frustrating to see that so many people still claim that Fukushima was worse than Chernobil.

I didn't say it was worse then Chernobyl, or was I trying to blow it out of proportion. Just saying good on this lady for doing what she feels is right, despite the opposition. On top of that, she picked my favorite place in Japan to live.

@zichi<< Good point. I have gone back and forth with the reporter on this story, and I have admonished her to do a better job of reporting on the recovery effort, not this fear baiting. All she's doing is fueling the hysteria that is causing discrimination. I wish JT would properly vet their stories before publishing them.

I don't blame the mothers for leaving. There is/was no trustable information. Hopefully, there is not incineration of disaster debris near her in Okinawa. I really support those brave souls who took off. Takes a lot of courage, and a lot of fear, to do so. At least they are not in denial of the potential repercussions of living near that npp.

Stephen-san,

Anyone who has been on Okinawa for any amount of time knows that if the bases go, the land will probably sit undeveloped for decades.

Do you mean like the land in Oroku, Shintoshin or Chatan?

Didn't see those places undeveloped for very long.

Each of them makes good money for Okinawa too.

Much more than when they were bases.

Then, when they do decide to develop, they will build shopping malls and pachinko parlors along with a few upscale housing areas.

Why should you care what they do with it? It's Okinawa's land to do with as it sees fit. In any case, shopping malls, upscale housing areas and tourist facilities are very much in demand and provide income for Okinawa. And, as I pointed out, there are plenty of people wanting to move here from Tohoku.

Seen the land prices lately?

Someone on JT - unfortunately I have forgotten his name - pointed out the fact that if the area used for Kadena base was pasture and they kept horses on it, they would make more money selling horse manure than the Kadena base provides.

Then when they stop bringing in money, it will end up looking like ginowan on 58.

Do you mean like the new San A supermarket opposite the Convention Centre? Where it's difficult to find a parking space even in the day time?

With or without a capital letter, Ginowan seems to be doing quite well.

Well yes, and Japanese people like to over exaggerate things. Still can’t believe that some Japanese individuals think that Fukushima is A LOT worse than Chernobyl… No Japan…if Godzilla were to happen, it would be from Ukraine. Sorry.

I have never heard any Japanese people say that, only people living outside Japan who act like experts though they have never been.

@ DudeDeuce, you must have been living in a bubble. After day 1 of Fukushima there were comparisons.

@ DudeDeuce, also I was there when Chernobyl happened. FYI. So I can crunsh some numbers for you.

I am surprised that more mainlanders choose to go Okinawa since despite loving the tropical weather, most mainland Japanese look down at the Okinawans.