JET Study Tour Oct,2015 Members Report04

JET Study Tour Oct,2015 Member's Report04	Name：　Sarah Chaney（USA）
I have never been to Germany, but based upon what I have heard about Germany, my impression is a place where beer flows from the tap, because it is cheaper than water. I have never been to Switzerland, but I envision gorgeous mountains and overpriced items based upon what I have heard. Without firsthand experience, our imagination is formed only by what we have heard from a place, whether it be good or bad. Many people had never heard of Fukushima before 2011, but now that name is associated with only a single memory – radiation, devastation and fear. As the third largest prefecture in Japan, Fukushima has taken a serious blow in reputation, driving down its tourist industry and food production among other things. Fukushima has taken steps to inform the rest of the world of its progress and what it has to offer. The JET Study Tour is one of these steps. Although I had already lived in Fukushima for over a year, and volunteered in disaster-stricken areas in the years beforehand, I learned things I had never known before. Things I had never even considered an issue, suddenly peaked my interest. How was Fukushima looking into alternate power sources? How do they check for radiation in their food? Alongside other JETs, I learned more about the place I lived, and how I could show my friends and family who worry about my safety, about the efforts Fukushima has put into making Japan a safer, more efficient country. The most memorable moment for me was during one of our last tours at the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre. As our guide wrapped up the tour, ending near the labs where researchers test samples for radiation, he said “Rather than arguing with people using words about how safe Fukushima is, we work hard every day to show them with scientific proof.” It is clear that Fukushima has suffered a blow, but that hasn’t stopped the prefecture from working even harder than any other area in the country to fight back against rumors. However, if this information isn’t spread and people don’t take time to research the information available online, their image of Fukushima will remain that of the image from over 4 years ago. I think this is the most tragic thing of all. This study tour has spread the word to over a dozen JET participants, which will spread even further through word of mouth. It will even spread across country borders as families and friends are informed back in their home countries across the world. As enjoyable as the tour was to make new friends and learn more about my prefecture, I hope it has a bigger impact on the way people view Fukushima.

JET Study Tour Oct,2015 Member's Report04

Name：　Sarah Chaney（USA）

I have never been to Germany, but based upon what I have heard about Germany, my impression is a place where beer flows from the tap, because it is cheaper than water. I have never been to Switzerland, but I envision gorgeous mountains and overpriced items based upon what I have heard. Without firsthand experience, our imagination is formed only by what we have heard from a place, whether it be good or bad. Many people had never heard of Fukushima before 2011, but now that name is associated with only a single memory – radiation, devastation and fear.

As the third largest prefecture in Japan, Fukushima has taken a serious blow in reputation, driving down its tourist industry and food production among other things. Fukushima has taken steps to inform the rest of the world of its progress and what it has to offer. The JET Study Tour is one of these steps.

Although I had already lived in Fukushima for over a year, and volunteered in disaster-stricken areas in the years beforehand, I learned things I had never known before. Things I had never even considered an issue, suddenly peaked my interest. How was Fukushima looking into alternate power sources? How do they check for radiation in their food?

Alongside other JETs, I learned more about the place I lived, and how I could show my friends and family who worry about my safety, about the efforts Fukushima has put into making Japan a safer, more efficient country.

The most memorable moment for me was during one of our last tours at the Fukushima Agricultural Technology Centre. As our guide wrapped up the tour, ending near the labs where researchers test samples for radiation, he said “Rather than arguing with people using words about how safe Fukushima is, we work hard every day to show them with scientific proof.”

It is clear that Fukushima has suffered a blow, but that hasn’t stopped the prefecture from working even harder than any other area in the country to fight back against rumors. However, if this information isn’t spread and people don’t take time to research the information available online, their image of Fukushima will remain that of the image from over 4 years ago. I think this is the most tragic thing of all.

This study tour has spread the word to over a dozen JET participants, which will spread even further through word of mouth. It will even spread across country borders as families and friends are informed back in their home countries across the world. As enjoyable as the tour was to make new friends and learn more about my prefecture, I hope it has a bigger impact on the way people view Fukushima.

サラさん

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