Biological monitoring at Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima

Biological monitoring Itsukushima Shrine

 I visited Itsukushima Shrine which are located in Hiroshima 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.
 Itsukushima Shrine was first built in 593, then rebuilt by Taira-no-Kiyomori in 1168 on the same scale as it is today. A corridor of some 280 meters spans more than twenty buildings.
 The shrine was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1996. 
 Miyajima has been worshiped as a divine island since ancient times. This is why the shrine was built on the seashore where the tide ebbs and flows. The contrast of the blue sea, green hills and the vivid vermilion-lacquered shrine is breathtakingly beautiful.
 So I visited there to see effects of the accident against creatures which are grown up by Japanese food and water.
 Fortunately, I could see Sika Deer 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 Hiroshima Japan.
Posted by Yoshitaka Kiriake from Japan on June 16, 2015.

広島県の厳島神社は瀬戸内海にある宮島の入り江に建てられた神社です。厳島神社の創建は推古元年（５９３年）ですが仁安３年（１１６８年）、平清盛によって絢爛豪華な寝殿造に再建されました。

These pictures ware taken on May 2015.

Itsukushima Shrine

厳島神社

About Itsukushima Shrine

http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/IzJGX

 Miyajima is believed to be the island where God dwells. It is said that Itsukushima Shrine is built in the coast because the whole island is believed to be God's body and is sanctified. Itsukushima Shrine was built in the end of sixth century and modified to the present building with its solemn appearance by Taira-no-Kiyomori, who came into power for the first time as a warrior in 1168. 

Taira-no-Kiyomori

平清盛

Sika Deer

Cervus nippon

ニホンジカ（ホンシュウジカ）

Itsukushima Shrine

厳島神社

Japanese foods are good and safe.

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

Kaki Furai ; Fried Oysters

Yakigaki ; Grilled Oysters

Sushi

 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, Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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 at Hiroshima Peace Memorial, Hiroshima

Biological monitoring at Hiroshima Peace Memorial

 I visited Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome), Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima castle which are located in Hiroshima prefecture to see biological impacts of nuclear weapons.
 The Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) was the only structure left standing in the area where the first atomic bomb exploded on 6 August 1945. Through the efforts of many people, including those of the city of Hiroshima, it has been preserved in the same state as immediately after the bombing. Not only is it a stark and powerful symbol of the most destructive force ever created by humankind; it also expresses the hope for world peace and the ultimate elimination of all nuclear weapons.
 The peace Memorial Museum collects and displays belongings left by the victims, photos, and other materials that convey the horror of that event, supplemented by exhibits that describe Hiroshima before and after the bombing and others that present the current status of the nuclear age. 
 The explosion by a single bomb claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and the city area of about 2-km radius was turned into ashes. Many of those who managed to survive suffered irreparable physical and psychological damage and still suffer the effects today.

 Hiroshima castle is a typical flat castle that was constructed by Mori Terumoto, who was one of the most significant servants ("Godairo") of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Fukushima family and later Asano family lived there during the Edo era. 

　Following the abolition of feudal domains and the establishment of prefectures in 1871, the castle gradually came to serve more as a military facility, where the Imperial General Headquarter came to be established during the Sino-Japanese war of 1894/95. On August 6th 1945, the castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb blast. The present tower was reconstructed in 1958 and is now used to exhibit historic artifacts.

Posted by Yoshitaka Kiriake from Japan on June 23, 2015.

広島県の原爆ドームと広島平和記念資料館、広島城を見てきました。かつて広島城には広島大本営が置かれ、広島は重要な軍事都市でしたが原爆で破壊され終戦を迎えました。

These pictures were taken on May 2015.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

原爆ドーム

 The Atomic bomb Dome (Genbaku Dome) is the ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall which was destroyed by the first atomic bomb ever to be used in the history of humankind on August 6, 1945.

 The atomic bomb was detonated in the air at an altitude of approximately 600 meters almost right over the hall.

 The explosion by a single bomb claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and the city area of about 2-km radius was turned into ashes.

 In order to have this tragic fact known to succeeding generations and to make it a lesson for humankind, the reinforcement work of the ruins has been done by the contributions of many people who desire peace within and out of the country. The ruins shall be preserved forever. 

About Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/775

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/grVKe

The Atomic bomb

 The atomic bomb utilizes the energy released by the fission of uranium and plutonium to generate far more destructive power than any conventional explosive. Furthermore, the gamma rays neutron rays and other radiation released by the explosion cause serious physical damage over a period of decades.

Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall before exploded by the atomic bomb. 

広島県産業奨励館

 Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)　is the ruins of former Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall.

 The atomic bomb exploded at an altitude of 600 meters approximately 160 meters southeast of the Industrial Promotion Hall, instantly killing everyone inside the building which was seriously damaged and completely burned out. 

 In December 1996 this structure was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a reminder to the entire world of the horrors of the atomic bomb and a symbol of global peace.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

広島平和記念資料館

http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html

The peace Memorial Museum collects and displays belongings left by the victims, photos, and other materials that convey the horror of that event, supplemented by exhibits that describe Hiroshima before and after the bombing and others that present the current status of the nuclear age. 

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/z7rlc

The explosion by the Atomic bomb claimed the lives of over 200,000 people and the city area of about 2-km radius was turned into ashes.

The Atomic bomb

Hiroshima castle

広島城

 Hiroshima castle is a typical flat castle that was constructed by Mori Terumoto, who was one of the most significant servants ("Godairo") of Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Fukushima family and later Asano family lived there during the Edo era. 
 Imperial General Headquarter came to be established during the Sino-Japanese war of 1894/95. This castle tower was designated as National Treasure in 1931 (Showa 6). It was destroyed by atomic bomb. Later, the exterior of the castle was renovated in 1958 (Showa 33). In 1989 (Heisei 1st), the inside was restored. Today, it has turned into a history museum featuring Samurai culture.

About Hiroshima castle 

http://visithiroshima.net/things_to_do/attractions/historical_places/hiroshima_castle.html

Google map

https://goo.gl/maps/O2UuJ

Hiroshima castle
広島城

Shinkansen

Japanese foods are good and safe.

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

Okonomiyaki ; Japanese Pancake

Ekiben or Bento ; Lunch box

Maccha ; powdered green tea (left)

Momiji manju ; maple leaves shaped cake containing red bean paste (right)

Sushi

Sashimi

 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, Hiroshima 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 Hiroshima 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 at SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM, Tokyo

Biological monitoring at SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM

　I visited SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM to see biological impacts of Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant accident. Though I have visited various places in Japan to see the health consequence of the accident, I have never found any effect against creatures in Japan.
　SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM shows that a waterfall cascades into a mountain stream, becomes a river, and then flows into the Tokyo Bay. You will be able to observe these recreated scenes, the tidal flats and rocky shores of the Tokyo Bay, and the creatures that inhabit them. We can see not only Japanese creatures but also those of the world. There is also a stadium where you can enjoy dolphin shows and sea lion shows.
　So I visited SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM to see effects of the accident against marine 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 June 16, 2015.


東京都品川区にある「しながわ水族館」は主に東京の魚介類を展示しているが季節ごとに様々な企画が催されており、今回はシロクラゲ、アカククリ、エクレアナマコなど珍しい生物を見ることが出来た。

These pictures were taken on April 2015.

Eutonina indicans

シロクラゲ

Mexico Salamander

メキシコトラフサンショウウオ

This Mexico Salamander was born on November 5, 2014.

Balloon lumpfish

フウセンウオ　（稚魚）

　These baby Balloon lumpfish were born on February 14, 2015.

Balloon lumpfish

フウセンウオ (成魚)

Japanese Freshwater Crab

サワガニ

About SHINAGAWA AQUARIUM

http://www.aquarium.gr.jp/en/index.html

Google Maps

http://goo.gl/maps/ppKYf

Rainbow trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

ニジマス

Masu Salmon

Oncorhynchus masou masou

ヤマメ

Char

Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus

ヤマトイワナ

Dark Chub

Nipponocypris temminckii

カワムツ

Freshwater minnow

Opsariichthys platypus

オイカワ

ウグイ

Big-scaled redfin

Tribolodon hakonensis

アブラハヤ

Downstream fatminnow

Phoxinus lagowskii steindachneri

Stickleback

Pungitius sp

ムサシトミヨ

Sardine

Sardinops melanostictus

マイワシ

Foxface

ヒフキアイゴ

Pinnate spadefish

アカククリ

Emperor angelfish (young fish)

Pomacanthus imperator

タテジマキンチャクダイ（幼魚）

Semicircle angelfish (young fish)

Pomacanthus semicirculatus

サザナミヤッコ

Orbicular batfish (young fish)

ナンヨウツバメウオ

Holothuria nigralutea

エクレアナマコ

Actinia equina

ウメボシイソギンチャク

Box crab

メガネカラッパ

Dolphin show

Sandtiger shark

Carcharias taurus

シロワニ

Japanese foods are good and safe.

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

Tessa ; sashimi of fugu (Puffer Fish)

Fugu Nigiri Zushi ; Puffer Fish Nigiri Sushi

Tenzaru Soba ; Tempura and Soba Noodles Served on a Zaru Basket

Ice

 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/