Spreading correct information

Name: Jiang Wei Nationality: China Location Visited: Aizu-wakamatsu City , Fukushima Prefecture

Message

I have just entered my 5^th year working at the Fukushima Shanghai Office. The contents of our work there completely changed since the disaster. Before the disaster we were encouraging tourism in Fukushima, and advertising and selling Fukushima products. Since the disaster occurred, we are now busy explaining the situation in Fukushima, and providing people with correct information.

 Unfortunately the image most people in China have in Fukushima is the ‘radiation problem’, but if you compare information provided by specialized organizations of both countries, you’ll realize that the environmental radiation levels in Fukushima, particularly in the Aizu region, are similar to levels in large Chinese cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing. Why do people still misunderstand the situation when the numbers are so clear? I think the basic reason is a lack of information exchange. Also exchange between the people of Japan and China is also vital in resolving misunderstandings.

Thankfully even after the disaster, youth exchange programs have been carried out between Shanghai and Fukushima prefecture. Through work I have participated in many exchange programs and tours with Fukushima, travelling with university, high school and junior high school students. What surprised me was that while at schools in China teachers lead the students, in Fukushima Prefecture, students plan exchange events themselves, help arrange venues and travelling fees, and even carry out the events independently. I was very impressed by their motivation and desire to do something to help out their homeland.

The students in Fukushima have grown through experiencing the unprecedented disaster. Through exchange with students in Fukushima, not only did students from Shanghai learn about the situation there, but were also moved, and affected positively by the experience.Some junior high students started their own corner in the school newspaper called ‘Window to Fukushima’ in which students who visited Fukushima include messages to and from students from both countries. I think that Fukushima’s future lies with the exchange between young people there and from around the world. I want to continue to put all my effort into new exchange programs, and continue to work for Fukushima’s recovery and future.