The heroes of Fukushima; Bangsa Moro Week

With fears of radiation leaking from the nuclear reactors of Fukushima spreading beyond Japan’s borders, it has been forgotten that employees of the Tokyo Electric Power Co. are working round the clock to try to stem the looming disaster. They are called the heroes of Fukushima. In this land of manga comics, tales could be made of these men continuing to work knowing they could be killed being so close to radiation. While others are scrambling to safety, they have a duty to stay in peril. American and Japanese officials disagree about the circumference of safety. Is it 50 miles or 20 miles? Yet these men are within the complex itself. The Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Co.) is in a dilemma whether to keep them there or just leave the reactors to melt down.

If the heroes of Fukushima were to leave these would have far-reaching consequences with the US and China worrying about the strength of the radiation that could reach them. Imagine the comparison between being in Fukushima and the people of other countries. They  are thousands of miles away while the heroes of Fukushima are on the spot.

Their work ought to be acknowledged. As one report said it is a voluntary suicide from a fate they will not escape — either they die or if they survive the horrendous exposure they would be prone to life-long illnesses. With reports that the brave efforts may be futile the story of the heroes of Fukushima becomes doubly tragic.

Keiichi Nakagawa, associate professor of the Department of Radiology at University of Tokyo Hospital, said, “I don’t know any other way to say it but they are like suicide fighters in a war.” It is reminiscent of the kamikaze pilots who would rather die than be defeated. It is yet another indication of what makes heroes in Japanese culture.

The identities of the workers are not known. But Japanese television interviewed relatives of the workers.

“One daughter said her father had accepted his fate “like a death sentence”. Another woman said her husband was fully aware he was being bombarded with potentially deadly radiation. He sent her an email saying: “Please continue to live well, I cannot be home for a while.”

The Straits Times of Singapore translated a blog from Michiko Otsuki, a Fukushima worker.

“In the midst of the tsunami alarm, at 3 a.m. in the night when we couldn’t even see where we were going, we carried on working to restore the reactors from where we were, right by the sea, with the realization that this could be certain death.

“The machine that cools the reactor is just by the ocean, and it was wrecked by the tsunami. Everyone worked desperately to try and restore it. Fighting fatigue and empty stomachs, we dragged ourselves back to work.

“There are many who haven’t gotten in touch with their family members, but are facing the present situation and working hard.” She wrote about their situation because she wanted the outside world to know, even if it were to be known by only one other person.

She gives a touching message. “Please remember that. I want this message to reach even just one more person. Everyone at the power plant is battling on, without running away.

“To all the residents (around the plant) who have been alarmed and worried, I am truly, deeply sorry.

“I am writing my name down, knowing I will be abused and hurt because of this. There are people working to protect all of you, even in exchange for their own lives.” That is the Samurai’s code of honor deeply embedded in Japanese culture. It deserves to be known.

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From Mindanao comes word from my friend Samira Gutoc Tomawis (she studied at the Prince Charles School of Islamic Studies in Oxford). But rather than stay in the UK she decided to come back to the Philippines to help Muslim Filipinos.

Jim Libiran, the producer-director of Happyland about streetboys learning football told this column — he had another dream — to bring football for peace in Mindanao. I am not sure whether I had conveyed that to Samira but she sent me a note saying “she is already in talks with Jim Libiran for a football for peace match between Tondo’s Futkaleros and young Muslim boys from the University of Marawi. I have no doubt that with Samira in Marawi and Jim in Tondo they will succeed in their project of Football for Peace.

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In her message she also reminded me that they were celebrating March 18-25 as the Bangsamoro week. They have lined up a series of activities in Zamboanga City during the week. The theme of the celebration is “Revisiting Our Past, Forging Our Future.” The weeklong peace celebration will also commemorate — in a more positive note — the infamous “Jabidah massacre”. (I wonder how this could be done!)

Amir Mawallil, the chairperson of the group, said “the weeklong celebration will open with a simultaneous Friday prayer.”

There will be a photo exhibit “Bangsa” at the Gallery of the Peninsula and the Archipelago in Ateneo de Zamboanga University. As young Muslim professionals they are looking for ways to achieve peace without sacrificing their identity.

Samira adds in her column that the challenge of climate change and women’s role in Muslim society are interrelated.

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I was not aware until now that Muslim Mindanao is one of the most vulnerable places in the Philippines to climate change.

The Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy said “For the Philippines, studies show that many of the areas that are highly vulnerable to projected temperature rises, impacts of El Nino events, salt-water intrusion and sea level arise are in Muslim Mindanao. With the more than five million Muslims that are in harm’s way, there is a need to engage and mobilize scientists and environmental organizations…” writes Samira.

She is using her wide network of friends in Facebook to organize. She cites Jolo as an example of being ready for a disaster. “The buhawi-flooding affected some 4,000 families and children had to be carried in 6 x 6 trucks to get them out of harm’s way. Water has been contaminated and livelihoods destroyed.”

“Counting all the Facebook posts about ARMM election postponement, I am saddened that the more critical life-changing issues on environment are still cast on the side. There is also a humanitarian call to help Jolo and Japan, which has been a major donor in Mindanao, particularly in ARMM on health, education and capacity-building. Please share a cent of thought and cash to help those in need. Check Facebook for the campaigns.”