So I'm sure you all know of the drama and shenanigans that have been unfolding in Japan over the past six months. We have bore witness to the lot. and although we moved to Japan with a thirst for some adventure - I don't think we ever imagined it to be like this.
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| Every street corner a mech |
Yes, the land of the rising yen has been hit by every stereotype imaginable; from earthquakes to typhoons to nuclear mishaps to giant daikaiju terrorising coastal villages and leveling the land whilst fighting laser discharging mechs.
I know that Japan has a somewhat - and if I may be candid - nuclear history, but I never in my wildest dreams thought whilst living here would need to carry around crudely drawn kanji characters in my wallet so as I can identify irradiated produce.
I kid you not, there have been many reports of irradiated meat, fruit and vege from affected areas such as Fukushima and Ibaraki that are not safe for consumption.
So I got the kanji, made copies for Han and I and we carry them around with us at all times.
Just the other day I spied some nice cheap green beans in a local grocer, picked them up and checked the kanji to find it was from Fukushima. Further investigation led me to realise that all the cheap fruit and vege in that shop was from one of the two areas.
I understand the government is attempting to keep the economy of the Tsunami struck areas going - some folk even buy the fruit and vege and then dispose of it just to aid the burgeoning economy.
This strategy of ignoring issues like this is fairly typical of Japan from what I understand - there is no culture better in the world at ignoring the two trunked elephant in the corner of the room.
So Hannah and I continue to live here safely - but there is an elephant lurking in the corner of our mind and it is hard not to ask it - why are we here amongst the flood of risky stereotypes?
The top Kanji is Fukushima. The other is Ibaraki.
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| Never leave home without it |
