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What is the best way to help rejuvenate the economy in Fukushima Prefecture, considering that many people are reluctant to buy produce from the area due to radiation fears?

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I admit I've been hard on Fukushima products since the Earthquake. It's not entirely their fault either. They're hard working people, no doubt. It's unfair to them to be counted with those companies that have very shady business histories.

This is radiation. it's not easy to wipe it out. Farming is not the answer for an economic recovery in that area. I'm not a business major but common sense tends to prevail no matter what.

Step One: Get rid of TEPCO - Fukushima itself is NOT the monster. So far in the media, and IMO with the general public, Fukushima is a hotword. In fact, TEPCO should be the hotword. Fukushima MUST, for it's survival disconnect itself from that nuclear plant. It's a scarlet letter now. I expect those who were in power, who received cash donations from TEPCO will reject this. The people should fight to have it removed.

Step Two: Once the nuclear facility is removed, cover it, bury it, build a memorial over it. Remember those who lost everything. The area will be off limits but build something so beautiful that it can be seen from Space.

Step Three: Transform: Make Fukushima the symbol of the future. Use advanced energy producing and saving techniques. Show the world that we can move away from Nuclear Energy. Build a Utopia. Don't go back to your nuclear past with TEPCO.

Step Four: Transperancy: Radiation monitors must be everywhere. Again, Fukushima must be the model for the future. Transparency in government, business, sanitation, and so. Give the outside world something they can believe. From start to finish - tours, open markets, education. There's nothing better than positive word of mouth. People who have seen an honest town, with an honest local government will tell their friends.

It's unfortunate and it will be painful but change is at hand for Fukushima. On the other hand, change would never have come with TEPCO secretly controlling Fukushima. Agriculture is gone for now.

Finally I say, give room for the technology sector. Let them come in, build, develop. Allow them to reinvent the wheel when it comes to modern agriculture and protecting the environment. Redevelop your landscapes. A thousand trees or more.

For all the people that died in 3/11 and after, let there be a place of peace for their spirits. Make it as green and as colorful as possible. There is no gravesite for those that were lost. Please give them some place.

The greatest way you could honor those lost would be to take down that symbol of death that is TEPCO's nuclear power facility. We all know what it means to have power and energy but this is the sacrifice that must be made. I would never, ever, start that reactor again.

Good luck Fukushima. I do hope someone who can answer this question properly steps up.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

The government needs to sort this out, not leave it upto the people.

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I've been buying peaches from Fukushima to help growers. Not sure what else I can do.

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gogogo The government needs to sort this out, not leave it up to the people.

You see, that's where your're wrong. Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.

You're hoping the government can solve things for you but the truth is...they're out eating Shabu Shabu. You've got to pick up that shovel yourself. Nobody can love you more than you can. Tell the government and beauracrats to get out of the way. I don't need you to tell me where I can plant a tree or a row of flowers.

Big government is the problem at times. There are times when it's right though.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

zichi

They need to build hospitals and research institutions for the study of the long term effects from radiation.

There already is one in Nagasaki - their briefings were quite informative back in March and April. http://www.hibakusha.jp/en/

As I have said in other threads, there just needs to be a comprehensive, transparent, and reliable food testing regime put in place. It's the only way anyone will have confidence to buy food items from anywhere near Fukushima Daiichi.

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Set up an independent organization which checks all agricultural products from the prefecture for radiation. Make absolutely sure that the organization is trusted and that e.g. stickers which they put on the products are tamper-proof. Then start an advertising campaign. I'm sure many people are willing to support the people in Fukushima by buying their products, but only when they are safe. Later, when radiation is not so much an issue any more you can extend this label into a certified quality label.

Still, many farmers will go out of business, either because their land is contaminated or because they don't have the financial endurance to survive the crisis. Use the free land for solar energy plants. Use the evacuation zone as well to set up huge solar plants or wind generators. In this form you can make use of the land which otherwise will just lie fallow for decades. Look at other forms of renewable energy sources as well. Make sure you remain the source of power for the Kanto area.

Set up an agency to take care of large-scale decontamination. Use this agency to employ those who have lost their jobs due to the nuclear accident.

Last but not least, don't rely on the central government. Don't wait for them. Come up with your own ideas, implement them by yourself. But put the heat up on Nagatacho for the funding.

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Since some people in Fukushima and other areas of Tohoku are likely to develop cancer from radiation exposure I think Fukushima will need its own hospitals because it can't be expected for people to travel from there to Nagasaki.

Sure, of course - I was just pointing out there is a high quality research institution already in Japan on the topic. I'm sure there's a lot of experience to be shared.

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I do not believe economy should be priority. First thing that needs to be done is to prove that there will be no health risk in living in Fukushima. If the radiation levels are harmful - considering the long-term effects as well - then what is the point of encouraging growth in a region which will harm its population?

First the people, then the economy.

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What I'm going to say may provoke negative reactions; so be it. The area has long lost population as the younger and more educated move away; the coast, pockmarked with fishing villages, has been barely viable at best. Sinking vast amounts of money to return to such a status quo would be a poor decision.

The answer would be to retrench. Retrenching would provide two major benefits: it would relieve the need to expend great sums for radiation cleanup as nature would be given the task; it would also consolidate people and resources in areas appropriate in geography and population density to create viable communities.

My suggestion would be unpopular to those who lived in that area for obvious reasons: their communities would disappear forever, and they would be required to make a new start in an unfamiliar area. That is admittedly unfortunate, but then again, it is from the largess of the nation as a whole that they will rebuild, and as such, the nation as a whole should have a say in the matter, as pitiful as it is for the victims.

Nations have contracted in population dramatically in the past but not in recent history; Japan is charting a new path with its shrinking population. Turn the area into a vast nature preserve, where work would continue to eliminate causes of new contamination, but where existing contamination would be eliminated naturally. In a generation, a national park rivaling any of the best nature preserves in Japan could be born. Also, leaving the coastline alone would create a nursery that would add strength and diversity to the fishery industry both north and south of the area.

It is sad that events have lead to this, but a project such as I've outlined would offer clear benefits to future generations, cost the present less - and serve as a lasting reminder to the victims of this tragedy.

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