Letter to Osaka City opposing the burning of radioactive debris from Tohoku (東北からの放射能がれき受け入れに関する陳情書)
(sample petition letters for download at the bottom of this post)
“I’d really appreciate your help. The Osaka City government is currently debating whether to burn radioactive Tohoku debris in Osaka in return for cash from the National government. Even several of the Tohoku government officials have stated they don’t want to ship the debris.
This is not only absolutely unnecessary, but will also have long-term consequences in a region that has been largely unscathed by the ongoing crisis in Fukushima….and where I live now. It will disproportionately affect children living in Kansai as proven by multiple scientific studies.
Most of the city assembly is against this proposition, but the mayor is staunchly supporting it while refusing to look at the scientific evidence showing the negative health repercussions. The final decision should take place at the end of this month, so I am working to support one of the assembly members to help gather official petition letters to protest against this policy.
They specifically requested letters from foreigners living both in and outside Osaka to show it is not just a local issue. Therefore I am kindly asking you to write a quick, one-page letter that would have an impact. The letter can be written in Japanese or English (as we have translators that can help). The Japanese letter deadline is March 14.
Japanese before he deadline of March 14, so we ask to have it arrive by March 7 if possible.
I know you are busy, but your help would be sincerely appreciated. If you can take 20 – 30 minutes…..
Attached is both the Japanese and English letter format which follows the legal requirements. . Please sign/hanko where it says signature.
For English, send by March 7 to:
Ms. Kinuko Motoshige
21-1107 Shinmachi
Daitou-shi, Osaka-fu JAPAN 574-0037
Tel: +81-80-4111-6608
For Japanese, please send direct to the city office:
〒530-8201 大阪市北区中之島1丁目3番20号
大阪市役所
市会事務局宛て
〒530-8201
Oosakashi Kitaku Nakanoshima 1-3-20
OosakaShiyakusho
ShikaiZimukyoku Ate”
Another interesting point in the discussion:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/hosono-says-all-of-japan-should-help-with-fukushimas-contaminated-debris
Unfortunately, I don’t trust the government enough to think that they would make sure all debris brought to western Japan would be tested properly. The whole milk scandal and all – I worry that the whole group mentality will overrule common sense here too. I want to help Tohoku and have donated plenty of money, etc. for that cause, but i’m not willing to risk my children’s health for it.