Disaster area cleanup efforts of the Schop group, on display in the town of Tenjin

Translated from the original article at: http://tenjin.keizai.biz/headline/3375/

February 10, 2012

In Tenjin, a panel display of the Schop Group (Japanese site) cleaning up wreckage from the disaster area.

From February 13, the Schop Group's cleanup efforts in the disaster area of Eastern Japan will be exhibited. It will be held at Fukuoka's Mitsukoshi Lion Pavilion (Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Tenjin 2).

The group was started by President Taira Ryō, after having lost a close friend due to the disaster. Each day, Taira announced his activities from his blog. Learning of his work from the blog, the number of interested people who gathered to give their endorsement stretched to 2600. Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture was the center from where his cleanup efforts operated. From there, group members who were having difficulty during the cleanup set up fund raising efforts at flea markets throughout the area, with their charitable work being on display.

Outside of Sendai, the same exhibit will begin being held. Displayed at the location will be excerpts from Taira's blog, and photo panels with new scenes of the cleanup activity being introduced.

The exhibit is open from 10:00AM-8:00PM, until the 19^th of this month.

Original text

被災地でがれき除去活動を行う「スコップ団」、天神でパネル展

（2012年02月10日)

天神で被災地でがれきの除去活動を行う「スコップ団」のパネル展が開催

福岡三越ライオン広場（福岡市中央区天神2）で2月13日より、東日本大震災の被災地でがれきの除去活動を行う団体「スコップ団」の活動を紹介する写真パネル展が開催される。

震災で友人を亡くしたことをきっかけに同団団長の平了（たいらりょう）さんが始めた活動で、平さんは自身のブログで日々の活動を発信。ブログを見て活動を知り、趣旨に賛同して集まった延べ2600人が、宮城県山元町を中心にがれきの除去作業を行っている。現地での活動が難しいメンバーも各地でフリーマーケットを開き募金を集めるなど、慈善活動を展開している。

仙台以外での開催は初となる同展。会場では、平さんのブログから抜粋し、現地での活動の様子など写真を交えて紹介するパネルを展示する。

開催時間は10時～20時。今月19日まで。

The peak time for harvesting the taste of winter. A wintertime scene of wakame drying in the sun/Yokosuka

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202100004/

February 10, 2012

A scene of wakame drying in the sun, common during Japanese winters.

At the fishing harbor of Yokosuka city, the harvesting and production of wakame ("the taste of winter") goes full speed. At the beach, signifying the season, a vast scene of wakeme lying in the sunlight.

From the end of January, harvesting has increased in Kamoi, Yokosuka city. Here and there along the coast, wakame can be seen carefully laid out to dry. At the same area during November of last year, rafts were set up in the sea for wakame to mate. Now, the season of cultivation has begun.

Husband and wife Taka (62) and Kaoru (60) Koshiba both get up at day break for their wakame harvesting business. Collected wakame is hung up for two nights. After that period, it's laid down on a mat to dry further. Taka-san spoke of the process "The air allows it to dry out. A cold northerly wind is even more effective."


Original text
冬の味覚収穫ピーク、風物詩のワカメ天日干し/横須賀
2012年2月10日

風物詩のワカメの天日干しの風景

横須賀市内の漁港で、冬の味覚、ワカメの収穫作業が本格化している。浜辺には、風物詩の天日干しの風景が広がっている。

横須賀市鴨居では１月末ごろから収穫が盛んとなり、海岸沿いのあちこちでワカメを丁寧にのばしながら干す姿が見られる。同地域では昨年11月、海に設置したいかだにワカメの種付けをし、今シーズンの養殖が始まった。

小柴薫さん（60）、たかさん（62）夫妻も晴れた日はワカメの収穫作業にあたる。採取したワカメを二晩つるし、さらにもう二晩、ござに置いて寝かせる。たかさんは「空気が乾燥し、冷たい北風が吹くと乾きも早い」と話していた。

At an exchange meeting, Fukushima workers explain the current situation to evacuees/Hadano

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202090019/


February 10, 2012

As Fukushima workers explaining the restoration efforts, the evacuees intently listen=The Cultural Center of Hadano City

Evacuees (now living within the city of Hadano) of the earthquake disaster of Eastern Japan and the TEPCO Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear reactor incident that accompanied it, attended an exchange meeting on the 9th. Held in the cultural center of Hirasawa, Hadano, nine people from seven households attended.

Topics such as those in charge of supporting evacuees now outside of Fukushima prefecture, Fukushima's current issues and the government's ability to support the recovery were addressed. The issue of a lack of transparency regarding the worker's ability to oversee the radiation cleanup was raised. "[Please get Fukushima back to normal quickly," I wanted to say at the time. Living like this is difficult," an evacuee stated.

Questions raised from the participants included "Besides the money being spent on our evacuation, what about the cleanup of the land, and requesting compensation for our homes?" Otherwise, the evacuees engaged in friendly discussions amongst each other and Hadano city officials, according to government officials in attendance.

A male refugee (54) from the town of Namie commented: "Feeling an intonation of nostalgia towards Fukushima, I'm now relaxing. This exchange with the refugees was a good experience."

According to the city, as of February 8th, one hundred and four people among 46 families are refugees (Ninety Seven from Fukushima, Four from Miyagi, One from Iwate, One from Chiba and One from Ibaraki). In November of last year, the evacuees were the subject of an investigation. Many of them sought a platform for the exchange of information and news. From there, the city aided in putting a stop to their isolation by holding these meetings.
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Original text:
Title: 福島県職員が現状など説明、避難者同士の交流会で/秦野
2012年2月10日

Caption: 福島県職員の現状説明に熱心に耳を傾ける避難者たち＝秦野市文化会館

東日本大震災や東京電力福島第１原発事故に伴って秦野市内で生活している避難者たちの交流会が９日、同市文化会館（同市平沢）で開かれ、７世帯９人が参加した。

 　福島県の県外避難者支援担当職員が、福島の現状や課題、行政の支援態勢などを説明。職員は放射能除染の見通しが不透明な点などを挙げ「『福島に早く戻って来てください』と言いたいところだが、現状は難しい」と述べた。

 　参加者からは「避難にかかる費用だけでなく汚染された土地や家屋の賠償を求めるにはどうしたらいいか」といった質問が上がった。このほか、避難者同士の懇談や秦野市職員による行政相談も行われた。

 　同県浪江町から避難している男性（54）は「福島の懐かしいイントネーションに触れると気持ちも落ち着く。避難者との交流がなかったので情報交換できてよかった」と話していた。

 　市によると８日現在、市内の避難者は46世帯１０４人（福島97人、宮城４人、岩手１人、千葉１人、茨城１人）。昨年11月に避難者を対象に実施した調査で、避難者同士の交流や情報提供を求める声が多かったことから、避難者の孤立を防止しようと市が交流会を開催した。

Cultural asset protection training with Ashigara's Firefighting Union/Ōi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202080028/

February 9, 2012

Firefighters spray water.

On the 8th, the Ashigara Firefighters Union held a cultural asset protection drill at the Mishima Temple in the town of Ōi, Kamioi. In addition, a combined 40 of Ōi's volunteer firefighters and officials from the town of Matsuda participated. The temple contains a designated cultural asset of Kanagawa prefecture, a seated figure of Bhaisajyaguru. In order to defend it against fire damage, the departments received a report from a police box (119) of a fire and cooperated together until confirming it had been extinguished.

The same union has organized training in Minamiashigara City and the 5 towns of the Ashigarakami District, carrying out drills every two years. This year, a fire was imagined to have broken out at the shrine's main building. When the fire occurred, temple staff informed the nearest police station, who carried the treasure to safety. From there, firefighters came rushing to extinguish the fire.

Fire Union Chief Nirayama Shigeru commented: "In order to protect cultural treasures from now on, we would like to deepen our ties with the region in firefighting activity."


Original text

足柄消防組合が文化財保護訓練/大井
2012年2月9日

放水する消防隊員ら

足柄消防組合は８日、大井町上大井の三嶋神社で文化財保護訓練を行った。同組合のほか、町消防団や松田署などから約40人が参加。同神社の県指定重要文化財「薬師如来坐像（ざぞう）」を焼損から防ぐため、１１９番通報から初期消火、放水まで一連の連携体制を確認した。

訓練は同組合を構成する南足柄市と足柄上郡５町で２年ごとに実施している。今年は同神社の社殿から出火したという想定で行われ、火が出ているのに気付いた神社関係者が１１９番通報し、文化財を搬出。初期消火を行った後、駆け付けた消防隊員らが放水した。

同組合の韮山茂消防長は「今後も文化財を守るため、地域とともに防火活動を進めていきたい」と話した。

Children board construction vehicles and more. The Children's Industry Experience event at Odawara Castle

Translated from the original article at: http://odawara-hakone.keizai.biz/headline/796/

February 7, 2012

A child boards a NEXCO Central (http://global.c-nexco.co.jp/en/) freeway under bridge inspection vehicle.

On February 5th, the "Dream Waking~Industry Experience for Children" event was held at the public park of Odawara Castle's outer citadel. Sponsored by the Children's Department of the Odawara and Hakone Commerce and Industry Assembly (of the Odawara Hakone Business Newspaper), the event was crowded with many parents and children.

For children to safely have fun, various job experiences were created for the event. The day before, the city's enterprise office held an event for such things as soba noodle and kamaboko creation. On that day, 16 types of "experience bases" were available. Children could learn painting, how to create monaka, and experience selling dried goods and other food items.

In addition to the construction vehicles a collection of 40 racing and custom cars were on display. Police cars, fire trucks, Japan self-defense forces vehicles and more were also on display, waiting to be boarded by the children.

There was a long line to enter the baskets of vehicles made for working in high places, such as fire trucks and freeway under bridge inspection vehicles. Work uniforms were prepared for kids to wear and take souvenir pictures in, capturing many parents and their children enjoying themselves.

Original text:

小田原城で「子どもたちの職業体験」イベント－「はたらく車」乗車体験も

（2012年02月07日)

NEXCO中日本の「橋梁点検車」に乗り込む子どもたち

小田原城二の丸公園で2月5日、「ドリームワーキング～子どもたちの職業体験～」が開かれ、多くの親子連れでにぎわった。主催は小田原箱根商工会議所小田原青年部。（小田原箱根経済新聞）

子どもたちが安全で楽しみながら、さまざまな仕事を体験できる同イベント。前日は市内の事業所でそば打ちやパン作り、かまぼこ作りなどの体験を行った。当日も16種類の子ども体験ブースを用意。子どもたちはペンキ塗りやもなか作り、干物やかまぼこの販売などを体験した。

ほかにも、「はたらく車」やレーシングカー、カスタムカーなど約40台が集まり、警察・消防・自衛隊の特殊車両などの展示・乗車体験も行われた。

はしご車や高速道路の橋梁点検車など高所で作業をする車両の先端（バスケット）の搭乗体験には長い行列ができた。用意された子ども用の制服を身に着けて記念撮影を楽しむ親子の姿も多く見られた。

The visual and hearing impaired to perform Taiko on the 25th, celebrating the 5 year anniversary of Kanagawa's local disabled assistance center/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202060008/

February 6, 2012

Members train on Japanese style taiko drums=At the Kaminoki Center of the Kanagawa District in Yokohama City

On the 25th, the wakuwakuwa-ku group (Japanese site) of the local disabled assistance center for the hearing and visually impaired (In Tanmachi, Kanagawa ward, Yokohama city) will perform at an event celebrating the location’s 5 years of activity. It will be held in the Isogo Public Meeting Hall of Yokohama city's Isogo District. "Wishing to offer entertainment to families and people of the area," members of the center are encouraged to spend every day in training, as they’re scheduled to perform Japanese taiko for the first time.

"Let's decide on the next pose to train," a lecturer signaled in sign language to the facility staff, as thirteen participants held a taiko stick sideways in their right hand, with their left hands stretched upwards. Training began near the end of December of last year, the first experience in hitting a Taiko drum for the members. "Being taught to "Take in the rhythm of the drums" while having no sense of hearing was bewildering for beginners," said Center Director Okada Kyoshi (58), looking back at the experience.

Each day, much time was spent training. Feeling the striking of the drum against the skin of their hands, those who couldn't hear could still sense the rhythm. Pressing their taiko sticks against a towel suspended in the air, those who couldn't see could judge the distance of their sticks in relation to the drums. "I want to learn faster," said a member, spending his time off training by himself. As he was smiling, Horie Shouichi (Age 59) said "Completing the song with everybody was fun." Performing the opening solo is Mihori Akio (Age 65) who said "Personally. I would like for many people to see our rendition of Hare Butai (A classic Japanese song).

The event takes place from 1:30PM until 3:30PM. The Taiko performance starts at about 2:20PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance for 1500 yen or 1800 yen on the day of the performance. For questions, the Wakuwakuwa-ku group can be reached at 045(313)1134.

Original text:

神奈川区の地域作業所が５周年で25日イベント、視覚障害者ら太鼓/横浜

2012年2月6日

和太鼓を練習するメンバー＝横浜市神奈川区の市神之木地区センター

視覚・聴覚障害のある人のための地域作業所「わくわくわーく」（横浜市神奈川区反町）が25日、開所５周年を記念したイベントを横浜市磯子区の磯子公会堂で開催する。「支えてくれた家族や地域の人々を楽しませたい」と初めて和太鼓の演奏を披露する予定で、メンバーは日々練習に励んでいる。

「次は決めポーズの練習をしましょう」。作業所のスタッフらが講師の言葉を手話などで伝えると、通所する13人はばちを持った右手を横に、左手を上に上げる。練習は昨年12月下旬から始めた。メンバーにとって、太鼓をたたくことは初体験。「『リズムを取ってたたく』と教えても、耳が聞こえないために最初は戸惑う人もいた」。岡田恭子所長（58）は振り返る。

練習は、多い時期でほぼ毎日。手で机をたたいてリズムを体に覚えさせ、タオルの上から机をたたいてばちさばきを身に付けた。「早く覚えたい」と休み時間に自主練習するメンバーもいた。堀江昭一さん（59）は「みんなで一つの曲を完成させるのが楽しみ」と笑顔を見せる。冒頭でソロで演奏する三堀明男さん（65）は「自分たちの晴れ舞台を多くの人に見てもらいたい」と話した。

イベントは午後１時半～３時半で、和太鼓の演奏は午後２時20分ごろ。チケットは前売りが１５００円、当日が１８００円。問い合わせはわくわくわーく電話０４５（３１３）１１３４。

Mount Ōeyama’s frightening Namahage invade a kindergarten, only to be exterminated via bean throwing.

Translated from the original article at: http://www.ryoutan.co.jp/news/2012/02/04/004744.html

February 4, 2012

Children brandish metal rods to drive away the monster attacking a school teacher.

At the SaintTerasa Kindergarten (Japanese site) (106 students, Presided by Matsushita Hiroshi), scary Namahage were driven away by the beans of brave children. Located in Okanouemachi, Fukuchiyama City, the incident occurred on the third. The school children confidently stood up to the Oni, sending them running for their lives.

Actually the school children's parents in disguise, the monsters were in the style of the North-Eastern Namahage, announced as having arrived from nearby Mount Oeyama.

The sound of the teachers forcefully beating taiko drums reverberated throughout the school, as the Namehage appeared at the front gate. As the Namehage dislike holly leaves, the children entered each classroom and created mountains of them, hoping to create barricades.

　

"Uuuooo!" groaned the Namehage, as they appeared in the classrooms, kicking the barricades apart. Attempting to escape, the children ran around the room, some of whom could be seen crying. Nevertheless, they summoned their fighting spirit, as they suddenly began throwing beans. This caused the Namehage lose their will, not making a mad dash out of the school.

"Yaataa!" (Alright!) the children cheered. Everyone rejoiced, having combined their might to defeat the Namehage.

Original text:

大江山から来た怖い鬼を退治　幼稚園で豆まき

2012年2月 4日

先生に襲いかかる鬼を、園児たちが手作りの金棒で退治

福知山市岡ノ上町、聖テレジア幼稚園（松下洋園長、１０６人）で３日、怖い鬼を追い払う豆まきがあった。園児たちは元気に鬼に立ち向かい、退散させた。

鬼は東北地方のなまはげ風で、大江山からやって来たという設定。園児の保護者が扮した。

先生がたたく威勢の良い太鼓の音が響くと、門から鬼が登場。園児たちは各教室の入り口に、鬼を寄せつけないためのヒイラギの葉を取り付け、室内には積み木でバリケードを組み待ち構えた。

「ウオー」とうなり声を上げて鬼が教室に登場してバリケードをけちらし、園児たちは逃げ回って泣き出す子の姿も見られた。それでも気合を入れ直し、「鬼は外」と一斉に豆を投げ付けると、鬼はたじろぎ一目散に逃げた。

園児たちは「やった～」と歓声をあげ、みんなで力を合わせて鬼を倒したことを喜んでいた。