Biological monitoring at KODOMONOKUNI, Kanagawa Japan

Cherry blossom viewing  at KODOMONOKUNI, Kanagawa prefecture Japan

 I visited KODOMONOKUNI  which is natural-park located in Kanagawa prefecture to see biological impacts of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. Though I have visited various places in Japan to see the health consequence of the accident, I can find no effect against creatures in Japan.

 KODOMONOKUNI means Children's Land in Japanese. KODOMONOKUNI is well known for the magnificent cherry trees and famous for Ohanami too. "Ohanami" means cherry blossom viewing in Japanese. Cherry trees come into full bloom at the end of March or the beginning of April. It varies depending upon the type of cherry tree, weather conditions, and locality. Japanese people have been enjoying ohanami since the Heian  Era. It used to be a yearly ritual reserved only for nobleman and noblewoman. During the Edo Era, cherry blossom viewing had become popular event among the common people. As they are in full bloom for a very short period of time, it reminds us that our lives are also brief, and beauty is fleeting. People go to parks, gardens, or mountain settings to get a good view of cherry blossoms. Japanese enjoy eating and drinking with family, friends or coworkers under the fully bloomed cherry blossoms.

 So I visited there to see biological impacts of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I saw many people visiting there but I could not find any impact of the accident.  People in Kanagawa prefecture have no worry about the accident, because it is far away from the site and there is no contamination by the accidents.

Posted by Yoshitaka Kiriake from Japan on June 2, 2015.

神奈川県のこどもの国は梅と桜の名所の一つです。4月になると広大な敷地に桜の花が咲き乱れ、こどもの国は桜色に染まります。2015年4月撮影

These pictures were taken on April, 2015

Sakura ; cherry blossoms

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom on April.

こどもの国

About KODOMONOKUNI

http://www.kodomonokuni.org/english/

Google Map

http://goo.gl/maps/MalZj

Japanese foods are good and safe.

Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Sushi

Tiramisu

Sakuramochi ; rice cake with bean paste wrapped in a preserved cherry leaf

Ice

 4 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.

 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.

 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."

 As PM Abe said, Kanagawa Prefecture is very far away from Fukushima, people in there have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in there have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.

 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Kanagawa Prefecture. So people in there have no concern about the accident.

 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

公衆衛生ネットワーク

Public Health Network in Japan

http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/phnet/

Biological monitoring in Tokyo, Japan (May 26, 2015)

Biological monitoring at Botan Park of Ueno Toshogu shrine in Tokyo, Japan

 I visited Botan Park (Peony Garden) of Ueno Toshogu shrine in Tokyo to see biological impacts of Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant accident. Though I have visited various places in Japan to see the health consequences of the accident, I have never found any effect against creatures in Japan.
 Toshogu means “light of the east” and refers to 200 shrines build across Japan to enshrine the deified spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603-1868.
 The Ueno Toshogu was said to have been created for the convenience of the Daimyo who, at the time, were required to spend 6 months in Edo and expected to pay their respects to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Daimyo was a title given to the top lords of the Tokugawa period. So, in Winter and Spring you can experience the tranquil beauty of the Botan Park (Peony Garden) of Ueno Toshogu shrine.
 Generally speaking, plant's growth is so fast than human beings that they are more sensitive to radioactive materials of the environment than us. So I visited Botan Park of Ueno Toshogu to see effects of the accident against creatures which are grown up by Japanese food and water. 
 Fortunately, I could see them grown up safely and I couldn't find any impact of the accident. It seems that there is no problem for childbirth and child-rearing in Tokyo Japan.
Posted by Yoshitaka Kiriake from Japan on May 26, 2015.


東京都台東区の上野東照宮ぼたん苑では春になるとボタン祭りが開催され、様々な品種のぼたんを鑑賞することが出来ます。今年も綺麗なボタンを見ることが出来ました。近くにある不忍池ではカワセミやダイサギが魚を捕っていました。

Peony

Peonies are originally from China and have been used in herbal medicine for centuries. In this peony garden you can find many kinds of blooms.

Peony Garden is near the Shinobazu Pond where we can see many beautiful birds eating river fish.

カワセミ

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthis

ダイサギ

Great Egret

カワセミとダイサギは東京都台東区の不忍池で撮影

Google map

http://goo.gl/maps/Uep0N

These pictures were taken on April, 2015.

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

 Ueno Toshogu Shrine, in Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, underwent major renovation in 1651 by order of the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. The heavily gilded and splendid main building is also known as the shrine of gold. Having survived the calamities such as wars and earthquakes that followed and retained its features from the Edo period, the precious structure is designated a Cultural Property of Japan.

Google map

http://goo.gl/maps/995hA

About Ueno Toshogu shrine

 http://www.traveltokyo.info/Taito_Ueno%20Park.Toshogu.html

Peony Garden

Five‐storied pagoda

Peony Garden

Japanese foods are good and safe.

Because of stricter food safety law by Japanese government, we have no worry about foods.

Matcha ; powdered green tea

Amazake ; a sweet drink made from fermented rice

Dango ; Three Colored Dumplings

Kashipan ; sweet bread

 About 4 years have passed since Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident. I have visited various places of Japan to see the health consequence of the accident.
 Fortunately I have never found any impacts by the accident among Japanese creatures. As far as I know, nobody has health problem which is caused by the accident in Japan.
 Our Prime Minister Abe assures that "The situation is under control. The influence of the contaminated water is completely blocked within Fukushima. There are no health-related problems until now and there will never be health problems." He also said that "Tokyo is 250 kilometers away from Fukushima, and the kind of danger that you imagine does not exist in Tokyo. Tokyo is a very safe city."
 As PM Abe said, Tokyo is very far away from Fukushima, people in Tokyo have no concern about the nuclear power plant accident. People in Tokyo have already forgotten the accident, because they think radioactive materials cannot reach there.
 We know there is no problem for childbirth and child rearing in Tokyo. So people in Tokyo are living without any concern about the accident.

 I continue to visit various places in Japan to see the effects of the accident, because I can meet various creatures which are more sensitive to radioactive materials from the environment. It is important to see their health for our safety.

公衆衛生ネットワーク

Public Health Network in Japan

http://plaza.umin.ac.jp/phnet/