Firsthand report from damaged Japan: A doctor continues practice in indoor-confinement area near stricken nuclear power plant

By Hiro Inaba in Tokyo

Translated by Prof. Aki Hirota of Cal State University, Northridge

Mr. Hiro Inaba, a Burbank resident, heads “Chea Japan,” which promotes church- and home-schooling in Japan. Having arrived in Tokyo on March 10th, the day before the Great Tohoku and Kanto Earthquake, Mr. Inaba experienced the serious natural disaster firsthand. As of March 25th, he is still in Japan, participating in relief activities by “Chea Japan” in the hard-hit areas. Below is Mr. Inaba’s report, describing the actual conditions of the devastated region.

At 6 A.M., March 25th, I am writing this, praying that the nuclear power plant accident will continue to head toward successful containment.  News programs are reporting that radioactive materials have been detected in the tap water of Tokyo municipality and mineral water has been distributed to mothers with infants.

For the past several days I have been engaged in urgent support efforts in Sendai and Fukushima. I visited Higashi-matsuhima City, Ishinomaki City, and yesterday I entered Shinchi-machi Town in Fukushima Prefecture and  Soma City. In Minami-soma City, we were able to deliver emergency supplies to the spot 25 kilometers (15.6 mile) from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. This area, being between 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) and 30 kilometers (18.8 miles) from the nuclear plant, is designated as “Area where the residents should remain indoors.”

On our ways to Minami-soma City three policemen at a check point approved us to pass, noting, “25 kilometers is as far as one could venture to go. The clinic may lie exactly on that border line.” One of the policemen wore a black metal mask covering his entire face, looking just like a knight with full head gear.

The very clean city was a ghost town with not a soul to be seen. Of course, there were no pedestrians and stores were closed with shutters. A few cars come and go occasionally, while only the traffic lights continue to change from green to yellow and to red. Orange letters run across the electronic sign board above the traffic lights: “Due to a nuclear plant accident, those in the area between 20 and 30 kilometers must take shelter in their own homes!”

Higashi-matsushima and Ishinomaki were bustling with overflowing volunteers from all over the country. But once one sets foot in Fukushima Prefecture, not a single volunteer can be seen; in Shinchi-machi Town or Soma City, and in Minami-soma City within the 30 kilometer radius.

We found the clinic run by Dr. Kyohei Takahashi, Obstetrician and gynecologist, about three minute drive from the City Office. Dr. Takahashi did take shelter in an evacuation center, but he returned to the city when he learned that people were still in town and in need of doctors.

I learned about Dr. Takahashi thanks to Mr. Jin’ichi Ota of Marumori Ministries, who is a corroborator of “Chea Japan” in the area adjacent to Minami-soma. Mr. Ota noted that “Dr. Takahashi says food and water are seriously lacking, and it would be a great help if someone could bring them.”

Mr. Ota and others, who are themselves victims of the recent disaster, have now turned to supporting others. He was concerned about Dr. Takahashi, who had been actively supporting child adoption for over thirty years.

Arriving at Dr. Takahashi’s clinic after 11 A.M., we were surprised to see about eight patients in the waiting room. Three zealous nurses were busy responding to phone calls and to patients. Dr. Takahashi appeared in response to a nurse’s alert and welcomed us.

First we delivered to Dr. Takahashi’s home in the back of the clinic thirty  boxes of food (pascalized rice, cup noodles, curry, pascalized sukiyaki bowls, chocolate, Calorie Mate nutrition bars, etc.) and 70 liters of water.

The overjoyed Mrs. Toyoko Takahashi said, “What great help! We will share these with staff and patients in need.” She added, “My husband, being anxious to help the sick, seemed not to be able to stay put in the evacuation center. We don’t know how long the current situation will continue, but both my husband and our son are doing their best. I am so grateful for your support.”

Dr. Takahashi invited us into his medical office in between consultations. He remarked, “First, being afraid of radiation, I fled to the evacuation center, since luckily we had no hospitalized patients at the time. But I came back because there were people who needed me, thinking that may be my mission. Also several members of the staff said they would remain here as long as people are in town. My patients were happy, crying and embracing me, saying, you have come back, Doctor!”

When asked how he feels about his wife and son returning to town with him, Dr. Takahashi replied, “I do worry about them. But my son says he was moved by his father’s stance and he, too, has decided to risk his life.” Dr. Takahashi added, “In any case, I want to continue practicing medicine here as long as even one patient remains. ‘God won’t give you any trials you cannot handle,’ you know.”

Tsunami over 45 feet high attacked the coast of Minami-soma, engulfing over 300 houses in one sweep. According to the investigations up to March 26th, 259 have died and 1,260 are missing, but search and rescue efforts here have been halted due to the in-home confinement order following the nuclear plant accident.

Contrary to the houses on the beaches of Ishinomaki that I walked yesterday, where houses in congested areas had been destroyed by waves, leaving sad debris, here, Minami-soma, nothing of any shape remains, except for occasional roofs, leaving the entire region as a huge mud plain with only roads running through it.

Hiro Inaba is Director of “Chea Japan.” A graduate of Law Department, Waseda University as well as the Graduate Program in Fuller Theological Seminary. A former director of NHK. For the past 12 years he and his wife Wakiko have been home schooling their three children (a 19, a 14, and a 2-year-olds) in Burbank. Currently producing a large scale Biblical film “Kingdom Come.”  www.cheajapan.com

Aki Hirota is Professor and Japanese Section Head, Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures at California State University, Northridge.