Information from Mr. Masatoshi Takeshita
posted on his blog – November 22, 2012 –
English translation of a Japanese article: Ryusaku Tanaka Journal – November 21, 2012 –
Dr. Caldicott frankly expressed a feeling
of distrust toward the Japanese government and mass media.
= At the Members’ Office Building of the
House of Representatives on 19th Photo: by Tanaka =
Dr. Helen Caldicott, an Australian
pediatrician, well-informed of radiation diseases, held a press interview at
the First Members’ Office Building of the House of Representatives on 19th. Dr. Caldicott has conducted a speaking tour
in various places in Japan.
The interest of the media has been dominantly
attracted by the upcoming election after the dissolution of the House of
Representatives. As a result only one
overseas TV station and several reporters participated in the interview. Dr. Caldicott often used the words of “criminal”
and “immoral” and criticized the mass media for being unwilling to report this
fact. I feel her irritation about
Japanese society throughout her speech.
At the beginning of the speech, Dr. Caldicott said “It is “medical crime” not to evacuate
children, pregnant women and women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) living at
high-dose regions in Fukushima. I hear
that ultrasonic examination showed 40% incidence of thyroid abnormalities among
children less than 18 years of age. This
is quite abnormal in the eye of a pediatrician.” and she pointed out that
exposure dose in Fukushima far more exceeds that of Chernobyl.
As for relocation of children, pregnant
women and WOCBP, “Although it is important for the government to bear expenses
for relocation, the government uses its budget to protect TEPCO, not the weak,”
she said. Dr.
Caldicott said “Japan has no regulation on taking in radiation-contaminated
food.” She also said “it is ‘medically
immoral’ to have children consume contaminated food” and criticized the central
government, Fukushima prefectural government and the medical world that has
kept silent for their failing to act.
Lectures in Japan by Dr. Caldicott were
intended not only for medical doctors but for ordinary people. I hear that every site with a capacity of
hundreds of people was filled with people.
According to Dr. Caldicott, the audience seemed to desperately know what
to do.
“The media should be responsible for
publicizing the truth to as many people as possible. However, (in Japan) it does not seem to be
the case with Japan,” she sai and reminded the media of indifference to radioactive
damage.
Dr. Caldicott warned that “The accident in
Fukushima is not over. Decontamination
is impossible even if the government tries to finish it over 40 years. The land, people and food will remain to be
contaminated for more than 300 years to come” and raised a question about easy
decontamination and wishes for returning home.
She also condemned debris incineration as “criminal
act.”
During the Q and A session, I asked her two
following questions.
Tanaka: Japanese doctors went to Ukraine (where the Chernobyl nuclear
accident took place) and Ukrainian doctors visited Japan. Japanese government and doctors must know the
fact that we’ll have a high incidence of cancer in four years. What do you think of this?
Dr.
Calidcott: “Yes.
As exemplified by cases of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, it is known that the incidence peak of leukemia will be seen five
years after the accident and that of other types of cancer later. I am surprised at what makes doctors refrain
from raising their voice through the media.
It is “Total Blackout” (total news censorship)”
“Many people seem to live each day,
forgetting about Fukushima. This is
worse than at the time of the Minamata disease.
Although the Japanese government wants other countries to think highly
of it, it will be definitely accused of irresponsibility after epidemiological
figures of (the incidence of cancers) are revealed.”
Tanaka: Some doctors have made
profits by advertising vitamin supplements, especially vitamin C as good for
radioactivity.
Dr.
Caldicott:
No, it is not effective. It is medically
wrong.
Lastly, Dr. Caldicott concluded
the interview with the words: “A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have
been discriminated. Considering the
Japanese mentality, I am concerned about the possibility that the same thing
will happen with people from Fukushima.”
Prejudice against people from Fukushima has
already been heard here and there. Is this
writer the only person that can’t sit still as Japanese?
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