This is “Foo” from Itatemura, which is scheduled for evacuation.
My friends have advised me that I should not write about emotional subjects in the blog because reader support will drop – but I can’t help writing about him.
A 90 year old man called me and asked if I would take care of him for awhile. He was very friendly. When I visited “Foo”was already in his carry case and he was complaining “let me out!”, so I tried to take her as quickly as I could. His daughter brought coffee for me and the old man told me about his experiences in the Manchu war while I sipped my coffee. While I was listening I looked around his living room.
He is likely going to leave for the shelter and leave everything in this room behind. I wonder if he will be able to come back here again.
With the future being so uncertain, people have no choice but to hope for the best and plan for their return but frankly speaking, do old people such as this man have time? I hope he doesn’t lose his health once he leaves his home.
Although he is going to a ryokan that is serving as his shelter, it has a hot spring. He can enjoy the hot spring every day, so maybe it will be good for him.
I told him please come see Foo because Fukushima is so close and then I left with Foo-chan.
He has called me many times since I started taking care of Foo. He has told me so much about gate ball I must be an expert by now.
One day he called me as usual but I could tell from his voice that something was different. He said “Tomorrow, I am leaving for the shelter.” He doesn't have a cell phone so this was to be his last phone call. I asked him “Are you going to the Ryokan?” “No.” he replied “to a racetrack.”
I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t breath.
A racetrack? Is that a place where human beings can live? A place for 90 year old war veterans?
I just couldn’t say anything. I did some research after and learned that the racetrack likely has some lodging. So probably he is going there.
I am a representative of an animal protection group and I know my job is to work for animals, but right now in Fukushima people are being treated badly.
I went to the largest shelter in Koriyama in May and was shocked by the conditions people were living in. I almost wanted to cry but out of respect for the people around me, I did my best to control myself and quickly left the building.
Fukushima city where I live has high levels of radiation as well, but we can still live in our homes. To think that there are so many people who cannot even live in their homes, I feel that my troubles are nothing in comparison – except for the worry I have for my son.
Foo is very similar to the old man.
A few days ago the old man, his daughter and grandson came to see Foo. It was very sudden so I didn’t get a chance to prepare the Coke that he likes. He looked very happy while he watched his grandson and Foo play together.
Foo likes to stay and sleep in his cage even though he is free to wander around.
I hope the old man, his daughter and his grandson can pick Foo before too long. I wish him well and think of him often.
Foo is going to get spayed on Monday. I know he will do his best!
A doctor in Tochigi prefecture is going to perform the surgery. He is very kind and loves animals. Thank you very much.
I’ve been writing for a long time and I’m not sure how to end this. The people and animals in Fukushima are all trying their best. Gradually I am getting the sense that people are starting to forget about Fukushima, and I am sad about that. Fukushima still has a long recovery ahead of it.
Please don’t forget about Fukushima and the reality of the hardships that we are facing, please, we need your support.
Translated by Yasuko M.
My friends have advised me that I should not write about emotional subjects in the blog because reader support will drop – but I can’t help writing about him.
A 90 year old man called me and asked if I would take care of him for awhile. He was very friendly. When I visited “Foo”was already in his carry case and he was complaining “let me out!”, so I tried to take her as quickly as I could. His daughter brought coffee for me and the old man told me about his experiences in the Manchu war while I sipped my coffee. While I was listening I looked around his living room.
He is likely going to leave for the shelter and leave everything in this room behind. I wonder if he will be able to come back here again.
With the future being so uncertain, people have no choice but to hope for the best and plan for their return but frankly speaking, do old people such as this man have time? I hope he doesn’t lose his health once he leaves his home.
Although he is going to a ryokan that is serving as his shelter, it has a hot spring. He can enjoy the hot spring every day, so maybe it will be good for him.
I told him please come see Foo because Fukushima is so close and then I left with Foo-chan.
He has called me many times since I started taking care of Foo. He has told me so much about gate ball I must be an expert by now.
One day he called me as usual but I could tell from his voice that something was different. He said “Tomorrow, I am leaving for the shelter.” He doesn't have a cell phone so this was to be his last phone call. I asked him “Are you going to the Ryokan?” “No.” he replied “to a racetrack.”
I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t breath.
A racetrack? Is that a place where human beings can live? A place for 90 year old war veterans?
I just couldn’t say anything. I did some research after and learned that the racetrack likely has some lodging. So probably he is going there.
I am a representative of an animal protection group and I know my job is to work for animals, but right now in Fukushima people are being treated badly.
I went to the largest shelter in Koriyama in May and was shocked by the conditions people were living in. I almost wanted to cry but out of respect for the people around me, I did my best to control myself and quickly left the building.
Fukushima city where I live has high levels of radiation as well, but we can still live in our homes. To think that there are so many people who cannot even live in their homes, I feel that my troubles are nothing in comparison – except for the worry I have for my son.
Foo is very similar to the old man.
A few days ago the old man, his daughter and grandson came to see Foo. It was very sudden so I didn’t get a chance to prepare the Coke that he likes. He looked very happy while he watched his grandson and Foo play together.
Foo likes to stay and sleep in his cage even though he is free to wander around.
I hope the old man, his daughter and his grandson can pick Foo before too long. I wish him well and think of him often.
Foo is going to get spayed on Monday. I know he will do his best!
A doctor in Tochigi prefecture is going to perform the surgery. He is very kind and loves animals. Thank you very much.
I’ve been writing for a long time and I’m not sure how to end this. The people and animals in Fukushima are all trying their best. Gradually I am getting the sense that people are starting to forget about Fukushima, and I am sad about that. Fukushima still has a long recovery ahead of it.
Please don’t forget about Fukushima and the reality of the hardships that we are facing, please, we need your support.
Translated by Yasuko M.
