The Disturbed and Undisturbed Land in Japan
Something that has been going through my head a lot over the last few weeks, especially after going through some of the photos I have taken, is the idea of what "nature" in Japan has been disturbed by humans, and what has not. At this point, I am confident in saying...
Expectations for the Dead
Insult is given in commemoration of the environmental havoc wrecked by the Ashio Copper mine’s water pollution. Incense lies half burned beneath the concrete altar. The vases are sealed by spider webs and filled with black water. A dry lichen grows along the face of...
Forward to where?
Throughout history, both science and technology have always driven societies forward. Despite its positive connotation, forward should not necessarily be associated with beneficial progress. Forward can mean movement in the “wrong” direction. Forward with respect to...
Exploring Various Price Points of Living Sustainably
I was so excited to visit the Shinrin no Bokujo dairy farm, and I loved the time we were able to spend there! We were treated to a talk from the proprietor, Yamakawa-san, a tour of the property, a delicious spaghetti lunch, and plenty of opportunities to pet cows. The...
The Problems that Nuclear Waste Management Reveal
One of the topics that we covered during our interim class is energy production and the dangers of nuclear power. More specifically, we discussed the ways in which the Fukushima accident affected the lives of many Japanese people and how radioactivity will certainly...
Why are we in Japan?
A question that I have been asking myself and that has been proposed to the class multiple times is, “Why are we in Japan?” Upon learning about this trip I decided that I wanted to come because of the adventure, it was one of the top places I wanted...
reconstruction after Fukushima disaster
From our reading materials, we've learnt a lot about the disastorous tsunami that happened 8 years ago in Fukushima. According to the data online, more than 15 000 people were killed, over 6000 were injured, and at the time of this report around 2500 people are still...
Destroyed by Technology: Watarase Basin
Environmental activist and politician Tanaka Shozo was quoted as saying that “the remnants of human life will be destroyed by technological civilization”. This statement reflects a well-justified pessimism of the effects of Japan’s imperial government and rapid...
Visiting Iitate Village and Nihonmutsu City
Today, we had the sobering experience of visiting the Fukushima prefecture in Northern Japan. On March 11th, 2011, Japan was devastated by the strongest earthquake it has ever experienced with an astounding magnitude of 9.0Mw. This mega-earthquake created a tsunami...
Solar Sharing in Fukushima Prefecture
On the 24th we visited the northeastern region of Fukushima prefecture, particularly the cities of Nihonmatsu and Iitate. This area had been important for rice growing and the raising of cattle, and home to some early adopters of organic farming. It was inland enough...