Japan (MNN) — Radiation remains a challenge even seven years after Japan’s nuclear meltdown outside Fukushima. On Thursday, UN experts called on Japan to help cleanup workers who may not have received proper training on radiation exposure. The special rapporteurs also warned of exploitation.
Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access saw the effects of radiation first-hand during a recent trip. Donning protective gear, he and other A2 leaders visited a parsonage approximately three miles from the nuclear plant.
“Everything was exactly left [as it was] seven-and-a-half years ago. Their dishes [were] at the kitchen,” Takazawa describes.
“We saw…a banana that was left on the table, and it was already mummified and had almost became a pattern of the table.”
Remembering 3/11
The events of September 11, 2001 (“9/11”) are burned into the memories of many U.S. citizens. In a similar way, the “triple disaster” of March 11, 2011 (“3/11”) is engrained in Japanese memories.
(Photo credit Warren Antiola via Flickr)
A massive 9.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami with 45-foot waves. The combined impact of these events caused a meltdown at the nuclear facility in Fukushima. Over 20,000 lives were lost in total, and hundreds of thousands of citizens were displaced. Furthermore, as described here, the Triple Disaster significantly damaged Japan’s economy.
“[On] March 11, 2011, [Pastor Akira Soto] lost his church building, which was only two years old…people [were] scattered all over Japan…they evacuated over 200 congregates,” shares Takazawa.
Read more about Pastor Akira’s experience on the Asian Access blog.
“[It was] almost like Moses going through the Sinai for 40 years after the Exodus event. They [traveled] actually almost an identical… distance.”
In time, as cleanup efforts progressed, authorities permitted some residents to return home. However, only 30 people belonging to Pastor Akira’s flock came back; the rest found their livelihoods elsewhere in Japan. So, the resilient Japanese pastor decided to begin outreach in a new area close to Fukushima.
“The church is now growing,” reports Takazawa. “People have been baptized, new leaders have been developed.”
While unimaginably difficult, Pastor Akira’s experiences made him the ideal person to speak about “Leadership In Crisis” at an Asian Access training workshop earlier this month. He taught believers about trusting God when it’s most tempting to ask “why?”
In this photo from 2011, Pastor Akira speaks with fellow Asian Access leaders about his experience.
(Photo courtesy Asian Access)
“It may not be a nuclear disaster explosion. It may not be an earthquake. It may not be a tsunami. But you – we – all face trouble,” Pastor Akira told the group.
“Do not be discouraged, do not lose heart, because He has overcome the world. When you decide to walk with Him, trusting God, God will show up and show His love.”
It’s an important lesson to remember when problems aren’t resolved immediately.
Challenges at Fukushima drag on
More than seven years after the Triple Disaster, there are still approximately 16,000 people who can’t return home to Fukushima. The nuclear aspect of this disaster creates a unique situation, notes Takazawa.
“People displaced by [the] tsunami return to an empty lot,” he explains.
“People displaced by nuclear disaster return to everything the same as it was seven-and-a-half years ago, but they can’t go back [because of radiation].”
The decision to return or not results in division, even within family units. This presents a challenge to the unity Christ calls for in John 17.
“How do you come alongside, as a Christian, people on both sides?” asks Takazawa. “[There are] those who want to go back, [those] who don’t want to go back; or, [those] who think nuclear power is wrong.
“Those are the pastoral and missional challenges.”
As you remember Japanese believers and this situation in your prayers, ask the Lord for unity.
(Photo courtesy Pexels)
“Pastor Akira said, ‘please do not forget about us!’” Takazawa shares. “Pray for encouragement and comfort, so that they [can] walk into the future that God has provided.
“Once, we thought that we would die, but we’re still alive… [the] church is still going on, so we have the faith of resurrection.”
Learn more about Asian Access’ work in Japan and how you can get involved.
