Comment Section of this post is disabled after numerous anonymous comments attacking a particular individual.
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One of the readers of this blog is trying a unique way out of the high-radiation area in Chiba Prefecture: Crowd funding.
When I wrote a post about it on my Japanese blog on Monday (and took the above screen capture), the amount donated was $3,100. Now it's nearly double that.
Good luck, Chibaguy.
For the radiation level measurements taken by Chibaguy in Inzai City, Chiba, see this and this posts.
Families with children in the areas most affected by radiation from the nuclear accident often cite "money" as one of their main reasons for not moving out of the areas. Well here's a way, thanks to the net.
30-Day free trial by following the link.
Tokyo Time
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46 comments:
Good luck Chibaguy.
I lived in a neighbouring area until oct 2011 (yellow blob next to the arrow shown in http://ex-skf-jp.blogspot.de/2012/03/blog-post_18.html map).
Chibaguy: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are doing the right thing.
I hope to see you elected to US congress someday. America needs to learn from Japan's experience. You can teach them.
Best of luck Chibaguy. I know you are doing all you can. I am sure with your wife and children that moving is no simple task.
As for myself, I was fortunate in that I was still renting an apartment (but was very close to purchasing) and had family back home that welcomed me. It helped me to make the difficult decision to leave Japan asap after 3.11. Despite the above, we had to throw away most of our belongings and ship the rest (at great cost).
Even since coming back to North America with the kind help of my family it has been very hard to adjust and accept what is going on back in our home of Japan. The financial impact has been great and equally so to my career. Having said that, getting out of the health risk zone was the first priority as as the other problems are all temporary and can be dealt with.
Once again, best of luck to you Chibaguy.
Way to go, Chibaguy! What a great idea. I'd like to join previous posters and send you my best wishes for you and your family!
*mscharisma*
Good luck. I posted a link to your fundraising campaign on my Facebook page.
I evacuated my family to Fukuoka one week after the start of the disaster. With increased awareness of radioactive contamination, however, I wonder if there is any place in the Northern Hemisphere or on Earth that is safe. More importantly, since relocating, I have been unemployed. I have the money to move my family, but without employment, how is one to live?
The readings Chibaguy has in his blog aren't specially high. And it seems the kids are not eating contaminated food, according to one of the updates. I hope he can get the free plane tickets, though.
good luck!
i did also share the japanese and english blog entries about this on fb
@anon at 3;47PM, as with the rest of Chiba and Kanto region, pre-Fukushima background air radiation level in Inzai City would have been 0.03 to 0.04 microsievert/hour.
@laprimavera: yes I know about the increase in north-west chiba, specially further west around Kashiwa, but if the kids are not eating contaminated food those levels of external exposure are not that high (similar to background in many areas of the world.) However, I don't know how reliable those tests with finger nails are.
Whatever, if the kids had autoimmune diseases to begin with, the family does not really need the extra source of stress from worrying about contaminated food. I hope they get the money to leave Japan.
What a wonderful idea! I wish Chibaguy and his family all the best and hope all families with children will be assisted with evacuation if they need help.
Look forward to hearing updates and the good news one day that they have successfully evacuated.
@ex skf and all, thank you for your thoughts and words.
Bon voyage of sorts, Chibaguy! All the best to you.
Best of luck to you, Chibaguy.
I have posted the link to my FB page.
A move like this with family is never easy, but I believe you are doing the prudent thing.
All the best.
Given that the kids get Zeolites to drink, Zeolites can contain Uranium and usually contain Thorium. Ever considered that the Uranium from the tested finger nails is from there? Because otherwise why aren't the other fallout isotopes in the analysis, but uranium which isn't (at least not in high concentrations)?
Would of course be very tragic if the parents were responsible for the uranium themselves.
"We finally received the test results for Mimi's finger nails. Junya bites his nails and Kokomi nails do not grow as fast so we just sent in Mimi's nails to a German lab that tests for toxins. I will not go into the specifics other than she tested in the red for uranium but they did not indicate the isotope. Simply stated, the results for uranium would be the same for a mine worker. All the other radionuclides that fell here tested in normal ranges. I suspect this is because we watch what we feed them as well as have them drink Zeolite everyday which removes heavy metals."
Anonymous, where did you see that Zeolites can contain Uranium? I don't buy it.
@anon 9:44 that would be tragic if it were true. Please call the company and tell them that uranium 235 is in their product. If you do not think uranium was in the fallout please come to Kashiwa.
Zeolite has a great affinity for heavier metals such as mercury, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum... that's the whole point, because it is supposed to extract it from the body or environment. E.g. non-clumping cat litter is often made of zeolite, try putting a Geiger next to some in a DIY store.
So if the zeolite supply is impure, they might take in more than out this way.
Also it is surprising that Uranium tests high in the finger nails, but not the other suspects. Uranium is the source material, not fission product so should not feature prominently in the fallout.
So it is likely that the kids' Uranium intake is from a source unrelated to the fallout, contaminated foods etc., especially at quantities of comparable to an uranium miner...
Just my 0.02
Uranium 235 was in the fallout here. That is just a fact. The Zeolite we use does not contain uranium.
Just to avoid confusion I am responding to the anon @9:44 above.
Hi, I am the Anon from 9:44 and 11:40 (and also top comment).
What's your source for the analysis of the fallout? Did you have a soil sample analysed?
Also what is your explanation for the high level of uranium in the nails and not Cesium etc?
What is your theory where the children have taken up the uranium? If it is in the food, it must be substantial but I have never seen Uranium in food reported. If it is in the environment, then it should not make it into the body at these concentrations. Inzai is relatively mildly contaminated, I would say around 30.000Bq/m^2, i.e. at least half that of Kashiwa.
The likelihood of three children falling ill from environmental contamination at this level alone seems low to me, but I would be curious in your reasoning. Are there similar effects with other children in your area?
What lab have you used in Germany?
http://www.scribd.com/doc/77111737/IoriRK5682-Report-1-1
This is a soil analysis report from a Yokohama sample. You can see on p. 3 that Uranium concentration is extremely low compared to Cs or even Lead.
So you have a fairly low environmental concentration of u235 to start with and probably even less uptake of plants/food to make it into the body that way.
I am wondering how you can reach Uranium miner level concentration in children's nails this way.
Dear Anonymous (w/discussions on uranium),
I'm not sure if you're trying to help alleviate chibaguy's mind or just deeply analyze and understand the fingernail test results. But, please consider that this is a family who I'm sure has struggled to make the decision to leave, as it is not easy to leave your home. The general contamination in Japan near where he leaves is way too much and they want themselves out of harms way to a safer area. I mean what a life to have sick children and worry if each bit of intake of food is safe, having constant exposure heightening their dose of radiation, and simply wondering if the dirt in the playground is going to push one of them into an irreversible state of poor health. I think the focus on the test result could make them feel like they're over-reacting, as I imagine they have struggled with the decision with the media blackout and lying government and TEPCO sending the message that all is safe when it's quite the opposite. I'm sure your inquiries are of good intent, though please consider it in the context of how it might be coming across in relation to their personal struggle. Cheers.
Glad you were in a good position to move, kintaman. John, hope you are ok where you are and glad you were able to relocate, at least partially.
@Anon 3am: I am aware of all that. I mentioned in top comment, I lived very close by his area with two small children and also made the move. I know exactly what this feels like, trust me, painfully so. When I became aware of the problem in May 2011 I concluded that we need to move within 3-6 months, not just because of the level of contamination, but the lack of countermeasures or action by the government. We had the blackouts, no water for a week, the beef in school/kindergarten in our area and all that. We did move at tremendous emotional and financial cost. It was perhaps the hardest time of my life, but perhaps also the most important decision towards my children.
However, from my experience it helps analysing things rationally. Knowledge is key for managing your next step. Moving a family under these circumstances is not trivial. Someone else pointed out the difficulty of settling down on the target side, getting a job. Do not underestimate this risk. You were in Japan because you have a comfortable and above all happy life there. You will have to throw this away and start from zero, emotionally and financially (not sure which is harder). There is a big risk of the family not settling down on the other side, which is very uncomfortable. You are essentially a refugee and living somewhere against your plans. You are leaving a very kind and hospitable culture for a big unknown. you might have arguments with yourself or partner whether it was all worth leaving behind. be prepared for the struggle after the struggle.
So I am trying to pinpoint the factual issues, because it is hard to be rational when your life is turned upside down. The $25.000 budget is appropriate and actually on the low end of projections.
So does the source of uranium in the kid's nails make a difference? Perhaps not but perhaps yes, because may take away some of the stress because apparently this is a key finding for them to make a major decision on.
I would definitely consider as an option moving within Japan like Kansai or Kyushu. Less cost, less cultural disruption and uprooting. If I hadn't managed to bring my family here I would have done the very same.
It has crossed my mind that there should be an online forum for people like us to exchange experiences. It really helps to know there are others out there who did the same thing.
@anon re uranium and justification, why don't we leave it at your wanting to know. If you think Inzai is low you missed out on a lot. I am not trying to pick a fight but what anon @3:00 stated is appreciated and the normal response. Please do not get stuck on just one test. That is not why we decided to leave. This was after the fact.
I am not going to go into a lecture here as I suspect you are projecting a bit. Once you decide to be more open about your situation I will tell you more. Until then just hug your kids.
Point taken - thanks and good luck with the move.
Thank you for being civil. I agree we need a site to share stories. I hope someone can cone up with a site. We also need to focus on getting the kids to safety. America is vast enough that o believe with the right resources we could provide the Japanese with an out. Lot of work to be done but when it comes to children it is worth it.
I understand. Yes, it will be worth it. If you ever want to talk privately, let me know a way to contact you.
Are you erasing the petitions about Spent Fuel Pool 4, EXSKF?
@anon at 3:41AM, no. Google SPAM filter went overdrive for some unknown reason overnight. I'm still fishing out legit comments from a whole boatload of junks. Google filter tends to remove comments with the same link as SPAM, if that link has appeared a number of times before.
Would you please post this petition?
Go to "change.org" and type:
"Fukushima Spent Fuel Pool 4 Risks U.S. Health and Safety"
Please sign and circulate the petition. Thank you.
The fundraising page was shut down.
People started asking Swift to provide evidence that his children were "sick from radiation poisoning" (as opposed to sick from stress or Zeolite).
So he deleted his plea for funds...after taking in $7,500!!!!
@Chibaguy,
Off topic to the post but man you have made quite the shitstorm with your fundraiser and twitter fest with the Japanprobe folks. You really shot both your feet off with that.
You should have left it all alone and let them say what they will. You probably have only now realized, after it is too late, that you are simply feeding the fire for your opposition by taking any action. In the process you lose all credibility with your audience. The best action in these types of scenarios is always no action. You should know this.
As for the actions of the JapanProbe guys, they are a group of bully internet tough guys who refuse to believe anything is dangerous in Japan. I imagine they feel this way because the thought of their precious dream land Japan becoming a hazard would mean they would have to retreat to their former non-gaijin lives in their home countries. Going from Charisma-man do just a normal joe with no career is not an appealing thought so they will do/say anything they can do defend their NIPPON.
I say to hell with all of these types (Japan probe, Daniel Kahl, Tokyocooney, etc). If they want to feel that way fine but do not shit on folks who have differing opinions. I will say though that there has been a fair amount of actual fear mongering by those looking to profit so that point is taken. But in reality the fear is justified due to the magnitude of this ongoing disaster and the deception by all parties (government, TEPCO, media) involved.
ps:
Wtf, is with this fat American Mark guy on twitter "you threatened my family". I saw your tweets and while they were a little creepy (wtf, are you thinking by doing that anyway?) they do not appear to be threats to me. He is obviously American. If you look at his child you are probably a pedo also by his US standards.
I will finally add that I agree, if you are so concerned for your kids that you want to leave Japan why don't you just up and leave? I lost nearly all my belongings and career when I left Japan due to Fukushima and while I am still hurting from the loss I feel I made the right choice for me. If you feel the danger to be so high and affecting your kids get the fork out of there.
Anonymous for this post....
It's still about the money, it seems. Nuke industry won't shutdown if they are still making money and victim won't move without begging for money.
Chibaguy, get TF outta Dodge already! You have money to pay a lab in Germany?
People move due to disastrous or tragic circumstances every hour of the day, every day of the year, all around the globe! Financial ruin, death or loss of sole family provider, chronic debilitating illness, having to suddenly care for elderly parents abroad, forceful displacement by government or violence...etc......etc...AND THEY HAVE TO DO IT. Nobody helps most of these people. But here we have a guy with three small children all in supposed ill health living in a dangerously irradiated zone and all he has done is blab about it on some blog comments for a year and is now canvasing for money. Where are your savings, dude? If you have no savings or any goods you can sell off to allow for emergency relocation then you aren't making such a great living in Japan anyway. And fuck the emotional attachment to Japan part if your three children are at high risk and already ill. Basically you need 25,000 bucks, or what, you won't leave? WTF? Something doesn't add up or you are totally without balls.
Areva, can you expand on your "win-win" Twitter comment to Chibaguy.
It's iffy and I'm sure there is a perfectly benign explanation behind it.
A good point from the above post: Chibaguy....if you could afford to pay for lab work in Germany, which no doubt costs big $$$, why could you not leave Japan sooner?
As I posted before I left using my savings and lost almost all my belongings to the garbage. Health of my family was more important so I let go. Why could you not leave before if you can afford such extravagances? Not disparaging you, just asking to level with us all. I also appreciate the nature of what you are stressing about as I also left because of it.
I just feel that after this money raising (I never did such a thing, not that I disagree with it though) and then subsequent twitter drama with japanprobe queens that you take away from the seriousness of radiation dangers.
1:18 PM, I think ultimately what people find repulsive and dodgy about Chibaguy's plea for money is that like yourself, most of us have to man-up or woman-up and get things done on our own without anybody's help. Most of the world actually live uncertain lives like this but those with relatively cushy lives in certain countries seem to forget it. For them, the trials and tribulations of displacement is the end of the world. Also it is a question of how firm one's conviction is---there is something wrong with being seemingly very distressed and watching with despair the worstening health of one's three children (for a whole year!) yet waiting for others to donate money for you to move your butt.
And yes, such lab work costs good money.
There are many people, even whole families living out of their cars in Southern Florida due to losing their jobs and their homes. The kids still manage to go to school somehow and meals come from soup kitchens and food banks while parents look for jobs. I have yet to see any of these individuals asking for 25,000 dollars in personal charity. There are organizations who help spread some help to these people. They don't just give one person's family $25,000 and the others nothing. These people survive in their own country, the U.S. of A, without a job or home until they can get back on their feet. So can chibaguy if he is so inclined and I highly doubt he and his family would have be living out of car.
I don't see it as black and white - you know, this do whatever it takes to get away, live in your car thing, or suck it up and stay there. How good is that for a family, trade one awful thing for another?
That's my point. If the guy is soooooo convinced that his children are in grave danger of illness then his matching actions must also be grave. It just doesn't jive that he's hung around for a year. He's only able to leave if he gets 25,000? I've just illustrated how families in South Florida are able to live on practically nothing and make do somehow, though I'm not saying chibguy should. I'm just saying you don't need 25,000.
I click the link, but all information has been deleted by Mr. Swift.
I can only read comments from users. They ask him for evidence.
Why did he not provide evidence?
Also, why $25,000? How much did German lab test cost?
AFAIK urine tests in Japan cost around 20.000 so expect a German lab for a nail test to be in the same league, perhaps less.
$25.000 is a realistic budget for moving internationally two adults and three kids. A container for your stuff will probably cost $12-15.000, even if you have not much furniture. Alternatively dump your stuff but buying new on the other side might cost even more. Add another $5000+ for flights. That leaves ~$5000 to settle down on the other side for estate agent fees, furniture, electrical appliances, school supplies, possibly a car if needed. Things will add up quickly.
Too many foreigners in Japan enjoy the worry-free life and/or don't have savings. When Nova went bust, many people didn't even have $1000 for a flight home. As a family without savings, you could be in a precarious position very quickly, even without nuke plants blowing up (not able to work due to illness etc.).
25,000 might be a realistic budget but that doesn't mean anyone has to fund the guy's move. if they lived the worry free life before this and didn't want to save then now's the time. if they believe the kids are dying from radiation poisoning then they must run even without the money. from his family pic chibaguy looks like an able bodied guy that can work double shift slinging burgers at McD if needed.
For that matter he's an able-bodied guy with a career to build on in Japan and he clearly has enough money to take the family somewhere else in this country. He could have sent the wife and kids west months ago for a fraction of what he's taken in through this fund-raiser.
Having kids myself I am more than aware of the worries that go through your mind when you sense a threat to them in the environment, but the answer is never to sit in that same environment for a year and then rely on internet donations to make one of the more expensive moves you can think of.
His mother has a house in Kansas. Donations were going to her address.
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