Wednesday, August 29, 2012

#Radioactive Japan: Head of The Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan Says "People in Fukushima, Part of Kanto Including Tokyo, Should Not Marry" Because of Radiation Exposure

At a gathering of politicians from prefectural and municipal governments in Japan, the veterinarian head of a non-profit organization called "Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan" told the audience, quite off-handedly,

People in Fukushima, Tochigi, Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa where the radioactive plume went by, should not marry because the deformity rate of their offspring will skyrocket.

To the outraged delegation from Fukushima City, he says,

Tough. They misquoted me on purpose, I was just talking generalities.

Generalities. So these days in Japan, citing specific locales and predicting specific events like deformity of babies is talking generalities.

So far, only the delegation from Fukushima City is outraged. The reactions from the rest of Japan are two types:

  1. Oh someone finally spoke the truth, and he is the head of some non-profit organization (that must mean his intentions are good), so we should take it seriously; or

  2. (Silence)

From Asahi Shinbun (8/29/2012; part):


Fukushima City Assemblymen including Mr. Kazuyoshi Sato held a press conference on August 29, and announced that they would demand the correction of the remark by Mr. Hobun Ikeya, head of a public interest incorporated foundation called "Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan" during the lecture in July on the effect of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant accident as "inappropriate and discriminatory, and cannot be tolerated".


According to Assemblyman Sato and others, Mr. Ikeha said in the lecture, "You'd better not marry anyone from Fukushima", and "Cancer rate may rise in Fukushima, and deformed babies may be born".


According to the explanation by the Society and the recording that our reporter listened to, Mr. Ikeya also mentioned several prefectures in Kanto region that have had certain levels of radiation contamination because of the nuclear accident. He pointed out to the map of the region, and said, "People who live in the areas where the radioactive plume went by should avoid marrying at all costs." He further said "If they marry and have children, the rate of deformity in babies will skyrocket."


Mr. Ikeya responded to Asahi Shinbun and explained, "I wanted to emphasize the heightened risk of DNA damage and deformed babies due to radiation exposure. I discussed generalities, and had no intention of discrimination."


The lecture was sponsored by the Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan and held in Tokyo on July 9. Assemblypersons from municipalities throughout Japan participated, and four assemblymen including Mr. Sato from the Fukushima City Assembly participated.

More from Fukushima Minpo (8/30/2012; part):


Regarding the remarks that have been condemned as inappropriate by Mr. Hobun Ikeya (age 70) of the Ecosystem Conservation Society of Japan in a lecture in Tokyo, Mr. Ikeya released part of the transcript of the lecture to the press on August 29.


According to the transcript, he said, "It's not just Fukushima, you know, people in Tochigi, Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa, people who were there should not marry at all costs", and "If they get married and have children, the rate of deformity in babies will skyrocket."


According to the Society, the document is a transcript from the recording, and it has been sent to news organizations in Fukushima Prefecture.


To Fukushima Minpo, Mr. Ikeya admitted that he had made these remarks, and argued, "I don't think it's discriminatory against people in Fukushima." As to his insistence in the past that he hadn't said anything like that, he answered, "I meant I hadn't said anything discriminatory."


Mr. Ikeya is a practicing veterinarian. The "Policy" lecture has been given once a year or so since 2003, and it was the 12th this year. 80 to 100 politicians from municipalities and citizens who aspire to become politicians participate. Last year's lecture was canceled due to the March 11 disaster, and this year's lecture was the first since the disaster.

Accusation that Mr. Ikeya is discriminating against Fukushima is not really true, as Mr. Ikeya is saying the same for four other prefectures in Kanto.

Well at least Mr. Ikeya is a veterinarian, remotely qualified (I suppose) to comment on something medical. The only (human) medical experts who expressed outrage are so-called "government experts" (including Professor Noboru Takamura of Nagasaki University and Fukushima Prefecture Radiation Health Risk Management Advisor who spoke soothing words to Iitate-mura villagers right after the accident, and Professor Masahiro Fukushi of Tokyo Metropolitan University who measured radiation levels in meals with faulty germanium semiconductor detector for NHK program), which is taken by many net citizens on Twitter to mean Mr. Ikeya must be telling the truth.

Never mind that Mr. Ikeya's expertise is with sick animals.

The Japanese government and government institutions and its experts have only themselves to blame for the deep distrust of anything that has to do with the government for an off-hand remark by a veterinarian to be taken seriously as the truth.


Anonymous said...

Theres a new one every day, another shithead that needs lining up against the wall and shooting with the rest of the politicians in japan. what a cuntry

Maju said...

I would not recommend anything but the data from Belarus and other areas affected by Chernobyl is that kind of horrible. Most likely if you live in a sufficiently affected area (most of Fukushima prefecture for sure but surely also other districts) the chances of giving birth to severely sick children are very high. Also if you raise your children in polluted areas, you clearly expose them to terrible disease risks as they grow up.

The consequences of nuclear energy are tremendous in extent and horror. It's not as obviously intentional as the Holocaust but in every other category of harm it's probably worse.

m a x l i said...

Anonymous at 12:37 am: Well done! Every time, someone brings bad news, let's shoot the messenger! So the bad news goes away.

S.D said...

Japan is small. Fukushima fall out has reached most secluded areas far from Tokyo. Even if you feel like it is far, it’s not far for radiation at all. In Nagano prefecture, they measured 350 Bq/Kg of cesium from a wild mushroom. On 8/24/2012, Sakuma city government announced they measured 350 Bq/Kg of cesium site

Anonymous said...

Wrong recommendation doc!

Actually, the most contaminated people SHOULD be breeding - and not just a little. They should be breeding like rabbits!

The only way the rest of the world will learn from Japan's nuclear nightmare is if they see real evidence of the damage caused by nuclear power.

To save the world, breed!

Anonymous said...

Something to think about before prescribing eugenics.

CSchlote said...

Ahh, the usual vet bashing again. How should animal doctors know? We talk about humans, ehh?

People should learn that human medicine is just a limited subset of veterinary medicine.

Or with other words veterinary medicine covers all the issues for many lifeforms and require much more things to learn and understand. On the other hand verterinarians usually choose this science for other motivations than earning big big money with sick and intentionally kept sick humans.

I studied human medicine, biology and computer science. I had lots of talks to vets. And everyone with some broader understanding on issues like radiology and effects of radiation will agree to the statement above.

Humans are part of nature - and all scientific facts apply to them. And radiation affects all life.

It seems again an issue of correct political speech - don't talk about humans as you would talk about cattle or animals.

Your genome won't bother about that issue. And children in japan will pay a terrible bill over the next few 1000 years.

Anonymous said...

Is this a drawing of artificial lines to define a new generation of hibakusha? Let's pretend this is not having an effect on everyone. Only, maybe, some butterflies.
OT note
Again with the girls. U20 Women's World Cup currently playing in Japan. Love FIFA's description of one of the venues...

Anonymous said...

It depends on the skill and personnal (pro or anti nuke) understanding of this vet. Yet, chimps and humans have 99 % same DNA, I don't know for other mammals (mamifers), but sure a vet's warning should be taken into account. Even more as he probably does not have the "pressure" human docs have to minimize the problems.

Otherwise the "discrimination" question is a farce, not that it does not exist, it does, but it is used just like the "avoid panic at all costs" argument.
You know what followed.

Anonymous said...

Anon at 5:16 AM
great OT, LOL
The FIFA is often stronger than the players at breaking World Records.

Greyhawk said...

I see politicians are the same all over the world. In my country politicians not only criticize those who speak the truth they verbally attack and abuse those who dare to expose the lies the politicians tell.

Anonymous said...

Veterinarians were some of the first people to point out Chernobyl was a serious health hazard beyond the exclusion zone. Doctors were originally forbidden to do serious health studies on humans so animals were the only study subjects available.

"Veterinary pathologists are often among the first to recognize a new disease or health hazard. For example, veterinary pathologists were the first to recognize that a new disease agent, West Nile Virus, had invaded North America. Other ACVP diplomates have performed pioneering research on the potential applications of stem cells, conducted scientific experiments on the Space Shuttle, contributed to conservation efforts of African cheetahs, helped restore Prince William Sound after the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and assisted investigations of the nuclear power plant accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Veterinary pathologists play critical roles on research teams to alleviate AIDS, SARS, cancer, chronic wasting disease, monkeypox and bioterrorism.

"Summing up some recent publications, the author provides a survey about what happened, today's situation in Germany, the relation between food contamination and exposure, recommended generic intervention levels for foodstuffs, and possibilities to reduce contamination in food. Some agricultural counter-measures in the management of a post-accidental situation are especially taken into consideration. It follows that the veterinarian plays an important role in reducing population exposure by radioactive fall out

Anonymous said...


Yeah, conspiracy blogs and crazy associations of anti-scientific anti-nuclears are completely unrelated to that.

Anonymous said...

A person doesn't need to be a veterinarian to understand what's going on. Before titles and qualifications comes common sense and basic logical thinking... something that many people are horribly lacking in nowadays.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry people. From all I can see on Japanese Twitter, more people wholeheartedly believe the veterinarian than not, and they bash anyone who doubts him.

Same old. Anyone who dare doubts are branded as "government shills".

Anonymous said...

And here in America, mentioning Chicago is now racist. Being out of shape seeing a "veterinarian" attacked as not so credible source, that's nothing compared to what's going on here.

Anonymous said...

Folks, please pay attention to what we have going on here.

This is a textbook example of an extremely sophisticated disinformation message.

On the surface it looks like a radical and reckless anti-nuclear statement.

And thus is intended to incite the pro-nuclear factions, but also to appeal to the "reasonable" nature of the anti-nuclear crowd. Externally, it stirs a debate which will cause hatred, confusion - possibly unnecessary exclusion and hatred.

But think about the real damage - what it does to those inside Fukushima. First and foremost it strikes fear that they might actually be "contaminated". But more importantly - it creates a sense of urgency from those inside to hide the symptoms of their exposure - less they will be ostracized, ridiculed and possibly left with no medical care when they need it most.

In other words, it is intended to get those inside Fukushima - the ones who need to be shouting the loudest - to shut up and take it.

There are only a couple of organizations in the world that put together psychological operations like this - I will leave it to you folks to figure out who they are.

Don't fall for it.


Anonymous said...

"site" link points to some viagra advertising... depressing.

Anonymous said...

Folks still living in Fukushima should emigrate. If that is not possible they should demand appriopriate medical screening. I believe 5mSv/yr is the allowed dose for medical personnel, who has to undergo periodical clinical tests because 5 mSv/yr is potentially dangerous.

Anonymous said...

In the United States - and I'm sure elsewhere - doctors and dentists always make sure a female provides in writing a statement that she is not pregnant before an x-ray is taken (except in emergencies). No one wants to endanger the unborn or be held responsible for any damage. Likewise, parts of the body that will not be x-rayed are covered with a lead blanket or the like to minimize exposure. (Only if an NPP blows up and people are exposed uncontrolled to comparatively large amounts of radiation, its all perfectly harmless according to those responsible.)

Therefore, anyone who has ever been to a doctor for an x-ray can add 2 and 2 together: radiation causes cell/genetic damage.

If then someone points out the logically obvious, i.e., that parents who both have been exposed to high(er than normal) radiation have an increased risk of passing on damaged genes to their offspring that may cause deformities, he is "discriminating."

I don't see discrimination here, although I wish Mr. Ikeya had presented his view point with a little more sensitivity and more factually. It would certainly have been more beneficial to getting his message across if he had not opened himself up so widely for attack based on his poor choice of words.

Anonymous said...

Japanese have a long history of discriminating against people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on perceived damage to the genes.

Anonymous said...

What Ikeya said according to the Fukushima officials:

“You’d better not marry anyone from Fukushima” and “Cancer rate may rise in Fukushima, and deformed babies may be born”.

What Ikeya said according to Asahi:

“People in areas over which the radioactive plumes passed should not marry [...] If they give birth to their children after getting married, the incidence of deformities will become way higher,” the society quoted him as saying.

An audio recording by the society that an Asahi Shimbun reporter listened to confirmed Ikeya’s remarks.

What Ikeya said according to Fukushima Minpo:

According to the transcript, he said, “It’s not just Fukushima, you know, people in Tochigi, Saitama, Tokyo, Kanagawa, people who were there should not marry at all costs”, and “If they get married and have children, the rate of deformity in babies will skyrocket.”

Anonymous said...

Thank god there is still some freedom of speech so that people who do not have vested interests into nuclear industry can voice their opinion too.
However, in the case of Japan, the government and Tepco have been so bad at lying that they earned their deserved distrust mostly by themselves.
But you do not need to worry: there is no immediate threat to you well paid job in the nuclear industry: dismissing an npp takes 25 years (if it did not blow up).

Anonymous said...

metinks not every deformity is physically visual (points to head)
i can see it already: again japan embarks on a nuclear powered future, where the environment is carbon free and healthy and "oh hey! another 10 thousand "bad looking" humans have been culled".

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I don't care about credentials or pro/anti or what... what I care about is what's actually happening. I can see that many people are in denial or desperately clinging to social groups to prove themselves. Humans are always too busy blinding themselves with egotistic political drama nonsense, until it's way too late.

If nature could express human emotion, I don't know whether it'd be crying or laughing...

arevamirpal::laprimavera said...

OT: Google SPAM filter is on a rampage. I just fished out 20 or so comments from you readers. A few days ago a renewed SPAM attack in Turkish language started, and it's wrecking havoc. Sorry. All I can do is try to find legit comments...

Anonymous said...

It seems that all the Japanese are good for is prejudice and discrimination , the Hibakusha, the Burakumin, Foreigners, and now Fukushima people...oh i forgot Minanmata too... what a fuckup of a country japan is..

Anonymous said...


Yup, and that goes both ways - people who say radiation is no big deal, and people who say radiation is too dangerous.

Anonymous said...

Hey we are all in this together. In Canada we are the downwinders. I have measured the radiation out of the bigger thundershowers when the jet stream is overhead. The rain is hot. Be glad someone over there has the balls to discuss the genetic risks. People in my are are a bit slow to put it mildly. I am sure it will be a surprise to them when a wierd baby is born.

Anonymous said...

Stupid Google. Thanks for taking the time to fish our comments out.

Anonymous said...

The pro nuke shills can stick their heads in the sand and cover their asses.....but they look and sound increasingly moronic. NPPs have no future.

Anonymous said...

Believe it or not IAEA has just issued a report saying that Fukushima "did not cripple nuclear industry future" while countries like China, India, France, Vietnam etc eye building new reactors. Surprisingly they left out Iran and North Korea from the list.
They also mention that Fukushima released a "wide spectrum of radionuclides to the environment" but there is nothing to worry because in Japan we only check cesium.
Finally IAEA is concerned about the dwindling nuclear workforce; well, maybe people is concerned about being exposed to a wide spectrum of radionuclides when they choose a career.

Anonymous said...

I think the dwindling nuclear work force points to a crippled industry future or a dangerous future. If you can't get enough certified reactor operators you can either spend tons of money attracting and educating them or it's time to loosen the certification requirements. The IAEA was concerned about their aging workforce and the lack of educational infrastructure 12 years ago.

The more that things change, the more they stay the same.

With the pace of reactor construction in China and the level of corruption in both India and China I'm sure the IAEA will be leaving them off future lists eventually.

Anonymous said...

The nuke industry is definitely on its way out. In the US, they are not getting permits anymore. Why would anyone want these albatrosses when they bankrupt and destroy entire nations? Who can afford to lose territory to meltdowns which the authorities choose to leave wide open and spewing indefinitely? China and India will not pull off what they think is their happy nuclear ending. Solar panels on the roof will power any structure's electrical needs without any radiation contamination or Gulf War Syndrome. Solar water heaters are simple devices to install. Japan destroyed itself for nothing.

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