Bonds with home grow stronger even apart: The Fukushima Society in Perth - 離れていても深まる故郷の絆、パースふくしまの会

·11 min·1 clip

Three Fukushima survivors in Perth share how the 2011 nuclear disaster shattered their world 15 years ago.

This episode features interviews with three members of the Perth Fukushima Society: Akiko Stockton (chair), Miyuki Pauntoni (secretary), and Harumi Mashiko, all originally from Fukushima Prefecture. The episode opens by marking the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Akiko recalls receiving a panicked phone call from a friend on March 11, 2011, and watching unbelievable footage on television that she struggled to accept as reality. Harumi, who was in Perth at the time, describes feeling disconnected from the news and initially unable to speak about it. All three women's families in Fukushima were safe, but Harumi's grandfather passed away a year later, prompting her temporary return where she found her family home severely damaged with walls collapsed and concrete crumbling. Miyuki moved from London to Perth in 2009 while pregnant and returned to Fukushima with her newborn daughter about a year and a half after the disaster. She describes a transformed Fukushima where radiation monitoring devices were ubiquitous, children played outside wearing masks, and the natural, technology-light environment she remembered was gone. The Perth Fukushima Society has organized various support activities over the years. Harumi highlights early weekend market fundraising that collected over 300,000 yen weekly, which deeply moved her with people's kindness. Miyuki mentions their participation in Perth's annual Japan Festival each March. Akiko describes organizing a soba noodle event where Fukushima soba masters came to Perth to make noodles, with proceeds supporting Perth's recovery efforts. She notes how children's happy faces eating the soba made her realize they were supporting each other. When asked about her daughter born after the disaster, Miyuki says her daughter's classmates—half of whom were born before 2011—know about the disaster from school. Looking forward, all three emphasize their desire to share Fukushima's strengths and recovery, not just its tragedy. Akiko wants people worldwide to understand Fukushima as more than a disaster zone. Miyuki feels the 15 years have taught her the importance of having a hometown. They hope to continue conveying Fukushima's wonderful aspects and see more people showing support.

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