Sincer the War, much of Japan's culture has changed, or has been told to change. One of the affected system is the shape of families. Like many other things, Japan learned this from the U.S: The important thing is not the family line or lineage, but individuals. Married couples don't belong to the families; they should make their new families So, the members of a family should be parents and children; two generations.
The idea is right and it was necessary for Japanese society, especially for women Japanese women began to be treated as individuals.
When I got married, I, of course, wanted to be independent from my husband's family. I didn't like to live with my husband's parents, but when our elder son was 6, we started living next to my husband's parents because we needed babysitting. Thanks to them, we could work fulltime and raise two children. But my idea of family unit was parents and children, and as much as I could I tried not to depend on them. Making meals, cleaning the house, and laudry were the housework we could not rely on, Ithought. And I rejected the conservative way of life of old people.
But recently my opinion is changing .
I live with my husband and my elder son's family; his wife and their two sons. Each of us has our own kitchen, but we have meals and teas .together, and the children always play in our living room. (Many people are surprised to learn that we not only live together, but also have meals together.)
I find many benefits to living in a big family, and above all, it is good for children, I think. They can have many adults who love them, and it's very happy for them. Today our younger grandson chose to stay home with us, grandparents, while his brother went to the dentist with his mother. He practiced riding a bike with his grandfather and helped me picking vegetables in the garden. It was better for him than reading at the waiting room. For children adult people are like the windows to see the world and people. Having many windows is lucky. If the grandparents can show them their traditional culture like farming, fishing, dancing, or music, it is even better.
My husband says I have changed my opinion as my situation has changed. Yes, I have to admit it. I'm not a young wife trying to protest against the old custom now. .
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sorrow and anger of the victims of nuke in Fukushima
On the 10th of March, I went to Fukushima to join a gathering held by the women who have worked and protested about the nuclear polution. In the meeting, a declaration was read. I tried to translate it to have many people hear their voices. I'm not sure if I could have translated it well, but you can know their sorrow and anger.
The Declaration of the Victims' Right from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident
On the 11th of March, 2011, the TEPCO accident at the Fukushima 1st Nuclear Power Plant that followed the earth quake and tsunami suddenly and completely deprived us of our daily lives. Although the damage was huge and serious, we, the victims, have been kept from the information we needed. Without receiving adequate support, we continue to suffer exposure to radiation, and along with the resultant anxiety we are seperated and hurt very deeply.
More than 150,000 people had to seek refuge, and the people living in the poluted area have to deal with the radiation every day.without hope for revivification. We have been deprived of the human right to live happily with dignity.
Embarking on the second year of the aftermath of the TEPCO nuclear disaster, we, the victims of the accident, declare today to protect our lives and dignity.
* We are the victims of the accident at the Fukushima 1st Nuclear Power Plant that was brought about by the negligence of the Tokyo Electoric Power Co.
* Everything that was deprived by this man-made disaster should be fully compensated by those responsible for the radiation.
* We have the right to live happily with dignity.
* We have the right to live in safe places.
* We have the right to have our choices respected, whether to stay in Fukushima or to leave, and in both choices, our lives should be secured.
* We have the right to get all information regarding the accident and the danger.
* We have the right to get the radiation protection measures including evacuation and refuge, and continued health care covering regulr examinations and treatment.
* We have the right to participate in the decisions that concern our future , our families, and our communities.
We will not be deprived any more. We will not lose any more.
We, both those who stay in our homeland, and those who leave, will overcome the difficulty together.We will survive with dignity, create a world with happiness, without discrimination, and do our duty for future generations.
The Declaration of the Victims' Right from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident
On the 11th of March, 2011, the TEPCO accident at the Fukushima 1st Nuclear Power Plant that followed the earth quake and tsunami suddenly and completely deprived us of our daily lives. Although the damage was huge and serious, we, the victims, have been kept from the information we needed. Without receiving adequate support, we continue to suffer exposure to radiation, and along with the resultant anxiety we are seperated and hurt very deeply.
More than 150,000 people had to seek refuge, and the people living in the poluted area have to deal with the radiation every day.without hope for revivification. We have been deprived of the human right to live happily with dignity.
Embarking on the second year of the aftermath of the TEPCO nuclear disaster, we, the victims of the accident, declare today to protect our lives and dignity.
* We are the victims of the accident at the Fukushima 1st Nuclear Power Plant that was brought about by the negligence of the Tokyo Electoric Power Co.
* Everything that was deprived by this man-made disaster should be fully compensated by those responsible for the radiation.
* We have the right to live happily with dignity.
* We have the right to live in safe places.
* We have the right to have our choices respected, whether to stay in Fukushima or to leave, and in both choices, our lives should be secured.
* We have the right to get all information regarding the accident and the danger.
* We have the right to get the radiation protection measures including evacuation and refuge, and continued health care covering regulr examinations and treatment.
* We have the right to participate in the decisions that concern our future , our families, and our communities.
We will not be deprived any more. We will not lose any more.
We, both those who stay in our homeland, and those who leave, will overcome the difficulty together.We will survive with dignity, create a world with happiness, without discrimination, and do our duty for future generations.
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