Japanese Critic Plans "Hotel Radioactivity" in Fukushima (Seriously)

A Japanese critic and commentator with numerous books and writings to his credit says he's planning to build a hotel in Fukushima Prefecture to benefit from the hormesis effect of low-dose radiation.

I don't know anything about this person, never read his book or writings (if you read Japanese, this is his wiki entry). Since the Fukushima I Nuke Plant accident, he has apparently amassed a huge following among those who believe radiation is safe as exists right now in Japan and heavily criticize anyone who disagree with them, experts or lay people.

For a different point of view, from Mr. Takahiko Soejima's post on his site, dated October 18 and posted on October 19, 2011 (my translation hardly does justice to the original Japanese):

都路の活動本部を、弟子たちと現地の支援者たちだけに責（まか）せておくわけにはゆきません。　私が行って、あのあたりに、　　宗教研究家の中矢伸一（なかやしんいち）氏らとも協力して、「健康ランド」とか、「低線量（ていせんりょう。微量の意味）の放射線は人体に良い影響を与える」ことの証明としての　「ホテル　放射能」　を建設しようかと、考え始めています。　また、私たちの　愚かな　「放射能コワイ、コワイ」派の敵どもが、私のこの　「ホテル　放射能」　（　「ホテル・カリフォルニア」ではありません、「アトミック　カフェ」でもありません）の話に飛びついて、ギャーギャー騒ぐでしょう。

I cannot just leave the Miyakoji [about 20 kilometers from Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant] headquarters to my disciples and local supporters. I am thinking about building a "Health Land" or a "Hotel Radioactivity" to prove "low-level radiation exerts beneficial effect on human body", in collaboration with Mr. Shinichi Nakaya, a religious scholar. Again, our stupid enemies who say "Radiation is so so scary" will no doubt make a racket about my "Hotel Radioactivity" (it's not "Hotel California" or "Atomic Cafe").

　本当に、この愚か者たちは、自分の脳に張り付いた　放射能恐怖症で、生来の臆病さ　と、ものごとを冷静に考えて判断する能力がないから、救いようのない者たちだと、思います。

Seriously, these idiots are just hopeless with their radiation phobia stuck inside their brains, combined with their inherent cowardice and inability to think calmly and judge things.

私たち学問道場が、３月の原発事故の直後から、これほど頑張って、現地に入って活動を続け、冷徹な客観報道をして、「これぐらいの超微量（ちょうびりょう）の放射線量は　人間の体に害を与えない」と　書き続けた。のに、　それでもまだ、説得されないで、今も、バカな恐怖症言論を撒（ま）き散らしている。

Since the beginning of the nuclear accident in March, our group has done a tremendous job in Fukushima, dispatching the objective news and writing "Such a ultra-minute amount of radiation does not harm human body". However, [these idiots] are still not convinced, and continue to spew their stupid words of radiation phobia.

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Radiation: Like an Angel's Smile

A medical doctor in Koriyama City in Fukushima Prefecture has a cheerful message about radiation exposure after the Fukushima I Nuke Plant accident. As you've already heard from the other good doctor Shunichi Yamashita, yes indeed, "radiation is good for you", and it is good for Fukushima's future.

The doctor has a slide presentation on radiation in Fukushima Prefecture on his website and this is his conclusion:

Conclusion: A small radiation is good for your health

There are two sides to radiation.

Small dose: Like an angel's smile (even at 50 millisieverts/year)

Large dose in short time: Like a devil's violence

From now on, the number of cancer patients in Fukushima will decrease.

Food items with a small amount of radiation will fetch "premium".

Fukushima Prefecture will be the Number One health land in Japan, and people will flock to Fukushima.

Our future is bright.

Like Disneyland, I suppose.

His conclusion is that Fukushima has "an angel's smile", i.e. almost harmless, if not beneficial, small amount of radiation.

Looking at his presentation, he seems to have come to the conclusion because:

• Fukushima has received a small amount of radiation when it rained on March 15 and radioactive iodine and cesium that were in the air fell on the ground with the rain because of the events on March 14 and 15 (Reactors 2, 3, 4 had explosions) that released a relatively large amount of radioactive materials;

• Now it's mostly only cesium on the surface emitting gamma rays;

• They will never know the radiation exposure level in Fukushima until actually measured;

• There are people living in the places with high radiation; and

• There are data to prove that the long-term radiation exposure of 50 millisieverts/year decreases the number of cancer cases.

He tells us to just think of it as soaking in a radium [radon] hot spring (hormesis effect), particularly if we're over 40.

Still, the doctor thinks that the community should do everything to protect children. His suggestion? Surround them with lead panels that will block radiation. (Lead poisoning anyone?)

What we can do for children:

Remove surface soil from schoolyards.

Put up lead panels on classroom walls.

Shorten the commute time to and from school.

Drive children to school, and school should allow cars inside the school gate.

Shield children's room in the house with lead.

Shield children's bed with lead.

If these measures cannot avoid 1 millisievert/year radiation exposure, then consider relocating children.

It seems to me to be infinitely better not to use lead panels around children and simply relocate them first, but I am no doctor.

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