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Fukushima child evacuees face menace of school bullies

34 Comments
By Thomas Wilson and Minami Funakoshi

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34 Comments
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Why would they stick out? Is it their accent? It cannot be from the way they look as everyone dresses and looks the same here.

It's the "New Transfer Student", who is then investigated and the results quietly disseminated.

If they are really serious, they can always pass a law so that students who actively (there's not much you can do in terms of coercive measures about ostracization) bully are kept in detention overnight at the school as a form of administrative punishment. Two days for verbal, 5 days for physical and if it is done as a [i]group[/i] 10-15 days.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japan's Abe Government,Nuclear Regulation Agency and Economy Group started to use "school bullies" problem to oppress criticism against Nuclear Policy.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Back on topic please. Canada is not relevant to this discussion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aly, I agree. Someone suggest to the families that they should apply to come to Canada, where we have fine Japanese groups in our communities.

I wish there was a way to tell the families that. They would be so happy in Canada.

I participate with one, here in Victoria, and I know more would be welcomed with open arms.

Good on you. Yes, Canadians are the warmest people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with.

The only problem I see with that idea is trying to convince the families to leave their home country. It's not like a war and they're not refugees;

But I do think that they are refugees. Or we can refer to them as displaced people.

they just have to learn about how nice it is here. And in British Columbia, which has almost three times the total land mass of all of the Japanese islands, and only about 4 million people, there's a helluva lot of open space. And my favorite ski destination, Banff, Alberta, even has Japanese as a second language on all its signs.

Oh I know. Over 70% of my family is in BC now. My wife and I are in the process of applying for Canadian immigration and we are spreading the word to all our friends. BC is an excellent idea for those who are suffering from bullying. It is the perfect answer. If the rest of Japan forsakes them, they can and should find a home in Canada, which will welcome them with open arms.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Don't understand modern schooling if someone gave us a hard time at school they would get a punch in the mouth

0 ( +1 / -1 )

We can't / won't control the bullying so you should just *** pack your bags and go? Solidarity at its best.

What solidarity?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I would just like to say what a shocking story. I can't believe that Japanese people could be so ignorant and silly as to be so nasty to their own countrymen or people. We would have any Fukashima victim in our home. I can only ask the parents of these sort of spiteful kids to educate their children to the fact that Fukashima could quite easily happen to them and their family, and the victims of Fukashima actually need their understanding, help, support and love! I'd also point out that the very brave firefighters that volunteered are also victims of Fukashima as they courageously put themselves forward to keep others in safety! How can people be so nasty and ignorant? Please do not victimise family's of the Fukashima disaster? I am happy to meet anyone from Fukashima and shake their hand and buy them a drink etc. I would also be very happy to meet the very brave firefighters etc that volunteered to help in the Fukashima disaster. The type of people that bully Fukashima family's should be ashamed of themselves, and i have no time for such bully's myself.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How in the world did emigration to Canada become the solution or in the discussion at all? We can't / won't control the bullying so you should just *** pack your bags and go? Solidarity at its best.

There is no doubt where the fault lies when your child acts in an inappropriate manner causing others physical or mental harm, that is out of the societal norm.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Nothing shows more solidarity to victims of disasters than bullying them. Well done.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japan never misses an opportunity, to miss an opportunity. This is a great teaching moment to route out and get rid of bullying culture by showing how it ruins lives and how ridiculous it is. They should be raising their children, not stepping on them

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I blame the government of Japan for the bullying, the refusal of the hospitals to treat children from Fukushima. The lack of public awareness about radiation and contamination. There is a stigma because there is ignorance. This all could change if the government of Japan put Yen into educating the public.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

A lot of insecure children in Japan with low self esteem. They've been talking about doing this and that for decades to stop bullying but it appears nothing has changed. In the USA... bullies were often portrayed in TV Shows or movies and they always, in the end, got their comeuppance. I don't watch much Japanese TV.... but if they don't, they should start putting more bullies on the air.... and always portray them to be the person with the real problem.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Come to Canada claiming persecution. As Japanese discrimination is heavy documented and widespread there shouldn't be a problem. They can come and finish school in a less overworked environment as well for a double win. Depends on their willingness to learn English but other than that they don't have to suffer. Very sad that instead of being supported they are outcasts. Shame

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Since the details about the area are subject to laws that may forbid reporting and discussion, is it really surprising that there is a high degree of prejudice due to ignorance on the matter?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It would be great to move to Canada or another country, unfortunately it isn't limited to Japan. There are some Japanese in other countries, parents, who also look down, discriminate and judge you for moving your children to a safer place. When we travel home we also have people, who we thought were friends, ignore us and in one instance ask why we came back. There is also massive discrimination for the people who have been forced out of the no go zone but wanted to stay close and have built as close as possible, still in Fukushima. The ignorance and total lack of empathy has shocked me. This is not everyone and I'm not taring everyone with the same brush, but many people out there don't realise just how difficult it has been for those who have evacuated. It isn't a decision that was made lightly but there are many times I wonder if it is the correct one.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

What is wrong with those bullies? Seems like they have more radiation on the brain than any amount that could have affected those poor kids! It really makes me wonder what the parents are teaching their kids? Do they just ignore their kids and not understand that their kids are absolute monsters? SMH. There is no reason at all to be bullying those kids. They are victims, and victims should be victimized again!! Those bullies are lower than low. I think some parents need to take away the phones, video games and pull out the belt on some backsides! They also need to learn more about the little monsters that they are raising and teach them right from acting like jerks!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Another example of the Hiroshima Syndrome, which confuses reactors with bombs...in this case, speculation that Fukushima residents will become the new Hibakusha.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@Aly, I agree. Someone suggest to the families that they should apply to come to Canada, where we have fine Japanese groups in our communities. I participate with one, here in Victoria, and I know more would be welcomed with open arms. The only problem I see with that idea is trying to convince the families to leave their home country. It's not like a war and they're not refugees; they just have to learn about how nice it is here. And in British Columbia, which has almost three times the total land mass of all of the Japanese islands, and only about 4 million people, there's a helluva lot of open space. And my favorite ski destination, Banff, Alberta, even has Japanese as a second language on all its signs.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

The cruelty stems from total ignorance, Ignorance not invented by these youngsters but by their surroundings. Try to educate adults to educate their offspring.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Yes Thunderbird2, been early days in Kochi Japan so not a problem, but the sister company in Brighton England has not escaped the odd instance of workplace harassment and bullying.

It is insidious behavior, verbal physiological attempts to humiliate. A company can be held responsible if preventative procedures are not fully in place. Both the protection from harassment Act, and malicious communications Act constitute certain offenses as crimes. What is remarkable the perpetrators, who surface from all walks of life, actually believe it's nature's way of separating the strong form the weak.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I mean countryside is vs city people* x)

And I forgot Corsica vs French, Bretons vs Frenchs :D

And maybe more that I don't know or forget x)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bullies of any age after kindergarten (starting from middle school) should be punished and named and shamed. Bullying should be considered a crime and a gateway to other social problems.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Why do you want to refer about racism whereas this fact is about a discrimination between real Japanese people from different region (history of those regions) ?

In france too there is this kind of bullies, south of france versus the north as a famous example, next there is campaign vs city people (I am myself a french)

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The problem is emberetd in the Japanese culture of segregation and discrimination. It is fueled by a failure to face facts and reality along with a lack of empathy and compassion. Japan is certainly not alone with such troubles. However, those are more frequent in Japan and the USA than they are in Scandinavian countries or Canada. Japan is not a model to follow if we want to establish Justice, equality and fraternity on a global level. The Brazilian Japanese, Koreans and other minorities in Japan face similar harassment. There are several factors causing this sort of problems. All of them could be countered. With political and social measures.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Bullies only understand force. You need to give them a good kicking. They usually get the message after that.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

I agree with rocknroll... there should be a zero policy towards bullying. It's not character building, it's not standing up for yourself, it's cruel and heartless.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I'm living now in a West European country. Knowing Japan for many many years, it is shocking to see here the very high intolerance for any kind or abuse and bullying. All classes are mixed race, mixed ethnicity and often mixed languages, but still, they have less problems than the uniform classes in Japan.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Deal with these kids behavior now, have a clear zero policy for bullying and harassment in Schools or face the consequences when matured into grownups and feel it perfectly acceptable to bully and harass there work colleges.

I am afraid bullies crawl out from under rocks or out of swamps the world over.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Why do so called educational institutions, the judicial system and society tolerate the abject cruelty from these goblin like creatures?

It is time call a halt and make examples.These evil bullying trolls from chucky needs to understand, what goes around comes around, times ten.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Well with the regime doing all it can to brush all of this away..no surprise here. Life is hard enough with out systemic labeling from teachers to local politicians to other parents who buy into this idea that these people are somehow infected from a government subsidized industry.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

The board had initially refused to investigate, heeding only the written request of the lawyers, said one of them, Kei Hida.

pfffffffffffffffffffffff. Here is a large part of the problem. Fire these boardmembers please.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Personally, I think that the evacuees should apply for refugee status in Canada. They can cite persecution as a cause. And I'll bet they'll be accepted, because persecuted is what they are.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Why would they stick out? Is it their accent? It cannot be from the way they look as everyone dresses and looks the same here.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Children will bully, it's unavoidable, but who they choose to attack comes from who they see their family and other animals pick on. The language they use is learnt. Little b'stards.

17 ( +19 / -2 )

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