Fukushima Prefecture’s Governor: “Agonizing decision,” Mayors of Tomioka and Naraha Towns: “Have to welcome it in, to rebuild our town” –on acceptance of “specified wastes”

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

(Based on articles from the December 4th, 2015 edition of the Fukushima Minpo newspaper)
▼Click each image and read the caption.

The local governments of Fukushima Prefecture and Tomioka and Naraha Towns have decided to accommodate the Japanese government’s plan to bury the “specified waste” from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in controlled disposal sites in Tomioka Town and elsewhere, Fukushima Prefecture. The burying is expected to begin in June 2016, at the earliest.

Here, “specified waste” refers to waste containing 8,000 becquerels or more of radioactive cesium per kg (per 2.2 lb.), and which has been specified by Japan’s Minister of the Environment as such waste. Where should such waste go? In compliance with the nation’s Act on Special Measures Concerning the Handling of Pollution by Radioactive Materials, such waste is categorized according to its radioactive substance contents, and each category is buried in a different site. Waste containing 8,000 becquerels or more and up to 100,000 becquerels of radioactive cesium per kg (per 2.2 lb.) are to be buried in “Fukushima Eco Tech Clean Center,” a controlled disposal site located in Tomioka Town. High-density waste, containing more than 100,000 becquerels, needs to be kept within a containment disposal facility surrounded by concrete walls. Since there is currently no such facility in Fukushima Prefecture, such waste from Fukushima Daiichi are to be buried in storage dedicated to such waste at an interim storage facility to be built in Okuma and Futaba Towns. Meanwhile, the contaminated soil collected in the decontamination work is not treated as “specified” and is to be kept in such interim storage facilities regardless of its density of radioactive substances.

(*1 “Becquerel” is a unit of measurement of radioactivity. If an atom’s nucleus decays and emits radiation every one second, it is counted as “1 becquerel.” Now, “radioactivity” is the capability to emit radiation, and “becquerel” measures such capability, while “sievert” (Sv) is about the radiation dose a human is exposed to. Where there is a single source of radiation (becquerel), the actual radiation dose people are exposed to (sievert) from the source can differ, depending on situational conditions—the kind of the radioactive substance in the source, the distance between the source and a person, the effectiveness of the shield (if any) between the two, and so on. Meanwhile Japan’s Food Sanitation Act defines some tentative regulations on radioactive substances contained in foods. 1kg (2.2 lb.) of drinking water or milk must not contain more than 200 becquerels of radioactive iodine. 2,000 becquerels for vegetables. For radioactive cesium, no more than 200 becquerels per 1kg (2.2 lb.) of drinking water or milk, and no more than 500 becquerels per the same weight of vegetables, cereal, meat, eggs, etc. The Act demands of municipalities that any foods containing radioactive substances in excess of those limits should not be consumed by humans.)

While there is a national plan to build storage facilities for “specified waste” in six prefectures of Japan, Fukushima has become the first to accommodate such a facility. In the other targeted prefectures, many residents around a planned facility site are opposed to the plan, making it lag behind schedule. Fukushima’s decision to accept the national plan might provide a model of consensus building, and many are concerned over such “consensus” building.

(Based on articles from the November 29th, 2015 edition of the Fukushima Minpo newspaper)
▼Click each image and read the caption.

Turning our eyes to final disposal facilities of high-level radioactive substances (“nuclear waste”), the Fukushima Minpo newspaper reported, in its November 29, 2015 edition, on a survey conducted by Kyodo News with all of the 47 prefectural governments of Japan about such facilities. None of the 47, including Fukushima, is willing to accommodate such a final disposal facility.

The survey found 13 prefectures replying “no intention to accommodate (such a facility) at all,” and the 13 included Fukushima. Of them, four are currently accommodating a NPP or more. Eight others said “it is hard to accommodate (such a facility),” while 24 others responded with no policy about such facilities. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan (NUMO) are planning to announce some “scientifically” hopeful candidate sites, i.e., sites considered to be “scientifically” acceptable for accommodating a final disposal facility. In the current situation, however, such an announcement can invite harsh objections from the citizens of those “candidate” sites.

So far, Japan’s national government has been developing nuclear power policies while postponing decisions on what to do with radioactive waste management. This is the time when we should decide what to do with the final disposal of nuclear waste. Every municipality, as well as every citizen, needs to consider this grave issue. Considering this issue can help many reconsider whether nuclear power is truly necessary or not, which would lead to reconsideration of the energy policies of the Japanese government.

Thyroid cancer found in “many” children—opinions of Prof. Toshihide Tsuda, environmental epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate school of Medicine, and Mr. Shoichiro Tsugane, Director, Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening, National Cancer Center

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

(Based on an article from the November 19th, 2015 edition of the Asahi Shimbun newspaper)

▼Click the image to read the caption.2015年11月19日朝日

–Thyroid cancer found in “many” children—or not–
Opinions by
Prof. Toshihide Tsuda, environmental epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate school of Medicine
Mr. Shoichiro Tsugane, Director, Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening, National Cancer Center

Following the meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), the Fukushima Prefectural Government has been conducting thyroid examinations of children. The examinations have so far determined that 104 children examined have thyroid cancer. Are those “many” cases of the cancer ascribable to radiation, or not? Here, two epidemiology experts with contradictory opinions describe their respective viewpoints.

・Toshihide Tsuda, environmental epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine

Some people claim that those thyroid examinations have resulted in some “over-diagnosis, which counts very slowly growing cancer that will actually never fully develop during the lifetime of the patient.” Yet the claim of “over-diagnosis” would imply that an unnecessary thyroid cancer operation has been conducted in more than a hundred children. In fact, however, a report by Fukushima Medical University shows that, in some 40% of those 96 children confirmed to have thyroid cancer and who were operated on at the University’s hospital, the cancer had spread outside the thyroid. In more than 70% of them, the cancer had metastasized to lymph nodes.
Also, Fukushima Prefecture and the northern Kanto Region have population densities several times greater than that of Chernobyl, which explains why exposure to low-level radiation has caused this many cases of thyroid cancer.
A major outbreak of thyroid cancer cases is expected. We need to prepare the health care system to face it. Pregnant women and infants can rest in, or move to, somewhere with much lower levels of radiation. Any policy must be postponed that intends to bring evacuees back into the “specified evacuation zones.” Also, we need to survey cancer cases in the northern Kanto Region as well.
The role science has to play, in this particular case, is to predict what can happen in the future based on data available and suggest what measures should be taken for the sake of the affected residents, before it is too late.

 

  • Shoichiro Tsugane, Director, Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening, National Cancer Center

At this moment, it is rational to ascribe those “many” cases to “over-diagnosis.”

Since over-diagnosis seems quite probable, thyroid examinations should not spread beyond Fukushima Prefecture. Such expanded examinations might save one patient, while many more would be diagnosed as having cancer that would actually be difficult to diagnose otherwise. Then, if many such people were given cancer treatments, they would experience many disadvantages, including changes to their lifestyles. In case of Fukushima’s children with detected cancer, we should consider the option of wait-and-see. Less than one patient under 40 years of age dies of thyroid cancer in Fukushima Prefecture, according to the mortality ratios there.
We need to continue the current examinations and rationally analyze influences from radiation. This is something the national government should do.

 

(Opinion of the staffer writing this.)
I live in Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, where we still have many “hot spots,” here and there—small places with high radiation doses—more than four years after the meltdown began. We who live here are unable to completely avoid exposure to low radiation doses.
Living in a place like this, I am seriously worried that the national government will delay implementation of countermeasures by postponing its admission that the many cases of child thyroid cancer here are ascribable to exposure to radiation,. Such a delay can lead to more children falling victims to radiation-caused diseases.
Of course, the diagnosis and treatment of child thyroid cancer should be conducted carefully. At the same time, the national government needs to take more measures both to help people avoid more radiation exposure and to facilitate care to people already exposed.
In the year of the Chernobyl disaster, the number of cases of child thyroid cancer expanded in number. Medical doctors there told the whole world about this. The IAEA’s survey of 1990 to 1991, however, denied that there were “many” such incidents, saying that surveys in Hiroshima and Nagasaki showed that more than a decade is necessary for child thyroid cancer to develop. Thus, it was more than a decade after the disaster, before they admitted many occurrences of such cancer. This attitude of the IAEA drastically reduced the amount of help offered to Chernobyl from the rest of the world.
Belarus has nine recuperation facilities aided by its national government. They are meant to enhance the immunity of those children exposed to radiation and help such children remove radioactive substances from their bodies. Many are still in recuperation at those facilities, and the effects of recuperation are obvious in almost all of those children, according to reports. I believe Japan’s government should also learn from those examples and come up with government-funded recuperation programs.
We adults are responsible for our children’s health. We should not let radiation exposure cast dark shadows over the futures of such children. I do believe, therefore, that we adults have to take any measures we can to protect such children.

“Babies’ Yoga and Massage Class” met at Smile Square, St Paul’s Kindergarten, Koriyama, Fukushima

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

On Monday, November 16, 2015, a “Babies’ Yoga and Massage Class” was held at “Smile Square” within St Paul’s Kindergarten, Koriyama, Fukushima. The Project on Nuclear Power and Radiation, partially assisted the class.

This time, five families joined the class, which was led by Ms. Yoshie Hatayama, the instructor.ベビーマッサージ1116_1

Oil massaging seemed to work magic on the babies, who were quite silent.ベビーマッサージ1116_2

After the massage, the instructor explained about the oils used and advised the mothers on how to best keep their skin’s moisture. The class was a very friendly and happy one.ベビーマッサージ1116_3

This program successfully relieved the mothers of the daily stress of child-raising. They, together with their babies, enjoyed both mental and physical relaxation.

Ms. Kazumi Ushijima’s present of songs from the Kyushu Diocese

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

On Friday, November 13th, 2015, at St. Paul’s Kindergarten, located in Koriyama City, Fukushima, Ms. Kazumi Ushijima from the Kyushu Diocese of the Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan held a free concert to entertain and encourage the children, after a child blessing ceremony.usiima1

Accompanied by instruments played by some teachers of the kindergarten, Kazumi sang with “a lot of heart.” The enthusiasm in her songs moved the audience deeply.

In her first song, a Japanese one titled “Niji (Rainbow),” Kazumi taught the sign language for a rainbow, which the kindergarteners then learned. The audience and the singer thus came together on an emotional level.
Then she sang more Japanese songs such as “Kimi wo Nosete (Carrying You),” “Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi” (Always with Me (Spirited Away))”, and “Sayonara Boku no Yochien (Bye, My Kindergarten),” with the children joining in on the chorus. When she finished her last song, “Hana wa Saku (The Flower Will Blossom),” the whole place felt clean and bright.
Responding to “Encore!” Kazumi sang a cappella a song named “Ito (Thread),” which moved some of the mothers to tears.

After all the songs, the faculty of St. Paul’s presented Kazumi with a key holder they had handsewn with gratitude.usiima2

Then, Kazumi greeted the audience saying, “I always pray for you (Fukushima people), from Fukuoka, Kyushu,” which comforted everyone at the kindergarten.

After the concert, she shook hands with every single kindergarten child—a memory for them to cherish for the rest of their lifetimes.usiima3

Refresh (Retreat) Program: “Summer Holidays in Takashima, a Southern Island of Nagasaki”
Over the last four years, the sincere assistance of the Kyushu Diocese has been of great help to the “Refresh (Retreat) Program,” which is targeted mainly at the children, and their parents, of kindergartens affiliated with the Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan.
After the concert, the mothers served a luncheon to show their gratitude to Kazumi and Mr. Kimihara, who accompanied the singer. Mr. Kimihara was on the welcoming staff at the retreat program in Takashima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu. He took very good care of the program’s participants. Meeting him for the first time after many months, the participants talked happily about their experiences at the program.
The mothers served home-made foods like “imoni (boiled potatoes *),” a famous local food of Yamagata, a prefecture west of Fukushima, to communicate their gratitude to the guests from Kyushu.usiima4

After lunch, the children came in when their schools/kindergartens were over. They were overjoyed to see Mr. Kimihara after so many months. It was an encouraging moment, which demonstrated what a wonderful time those kids had in Takashima during the retreat program.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Ushijima and the Kyushu Diocese for their warm encouragement.

* Translator’s note: ”Imoni” is a get-together held in many parts of Tohoku. In fall, many relatives and friends get together on a riverside around a big boiling pot of many ingredients.

 

Ehime Prefecture’s governor agreed to the planned restart of Unit 3, Ikata Nuclear Power Plant (Ikata Town, Ehime Prefecture), Shikoku Electric Power Company

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

(Based on articles from the October 27th and November 5th editions of the Fukushima Minpo and Asahi Shimbun newspapers)

▼Click each image and read the caption.

Governor Tokihiro Nakamura of Ehime Prefecture, on October 26th, announced his agreement to the planned restart of Unit 3, Ikata Nuclear Power Plant of the Shikoku Electric Power Company (“NPP,” Ikata Town, Ehime). This is the second case where the governor of a prefecture where a NPP is located has agreed to the restart of the NPP (following that of Kyushu Electric Power’s Sendai NPP (Units 1 and 2), located in Satsumasendai City, Kagoshima Prefecture). Both restarts come after Japan has instituted its new regulatory standards for NPPs. In the coming months, the Nuclear Regulation Authority is to conduct examinations and follow the necessary approval procedures. Ikata NPP is expected to restart in or after January 2016.

More than four years have passed since the Fukushima Daiichi meltdown began, and still some 70,000 citizens of Fukushima Prefecture are in evacuation. Learning from this tragedy, the new regulatory standard legally requires that an evacuation plan has to be prepared for the residents who live within 30km (18.7 miles) of a NPP. Basically, the hosting and neighboring municipalities should draft such a plan, prepare for possible evacuations, and lead the affected residents in the case of a major accident. This time, however, the governor has won consent for the planned restart from the hosting municipality alone. Also, Japan has yet to secure a place for a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste from reprocessed nuclear fuels. In spite of all these grave issues being unresolved, the restart procedure is already in process.

In reaching the agreement, Governor Nakamura successfully made Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledge that the “national government should take responsibilities.” Located at the root of “Japan’s thinnest peninsula,” Sata Misaki Peninsula, Ikata NPP poses serious difficulties for residents should they need to evacuate in the case of a major accident. Considering how great and serious the devastations caused by the Fukushima meltdown are, it is obviously necessary to insist that the national government make evacuation plans and secure the implementation of such plans, for example, through amendments to the Disaster Countermeasure Basic Act.

Amid those moves and issues, the Nuclear Regulation Authority on November 4, 2015, decided to submit a recommendation to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, who is responsible for the Monju Fast Breeder Reactor. One control and managerial error after another has occurred at the breeder reactor. The recommendation claims that the current operator of Monju, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, is “not up to the job” and, therefore, argues that the Minister should find another operator within a half year or so. In case the Minister fails to do so, one possible option is to decommission the breeder reactor. This is the first recommendation the recently installed Authority has ever submitted.

We have yet to see any conclusion to Fukushima’s radioactive contamination problems. With numerous problems remaining unresolved, there are nevertheless moves to restart Japan’s existing NPPs. I pray there never be another Fukushima.

Our Project has a new chairperson on its Executive Committee

Original Japanese written by Revd. Aizawa
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

Greeting from the new chairperson

Revd. Makito John Aizawa
(Rector, Ichikawa St. Mary’s Church, Yokohama Diocese)

The former chairperson of the Executive Committee, Revd. Kiyoshi Nomura, suddenly passed away. This came as a serious shock and loss to all the people around him, especially those engaged in our Project. Let us keep praying for him, that his spirit rest in peace with our Lord.

I have been appointed to take his place. So, here is my greeting to you, dear readers.

At the heart of Christian thought is the idea of “life.” God has given life to each and every one of us, and I believe we are here both to spread the word of how precious life is and to live accordingly. This is precisely what our Lord Jesus taught us.

From this viewpoint, anyone can see that the Fukushima meltdown has proven how nuclear power is opposed to life. One needs no expertise in nuclear power to understand that it is against life. The path we humans have to take is now obvious.

Also, when I hear the word “safe,” I am irritated by two radically different definitions of the same word. When “pro-nukes” use the word in their appeals to restart Japan’s existing nuclear power plants (NPPs), their “safe” is utterly different from the same word used in messages about the preciousness of life. As long as we humans have yet to establish any technology to neutralize radioactive waste from NPPs, running such plants inevitably means producing more and more deadly substances. Also, the plain fact is that we already have sufficient electricity generated for us without NPPs. Furthermore, there are many ways to generate electricity. I believe what we really need to do is to “make up our mind” to abolish nuclear power.

Looking forward to the next excursion

Original Japanese written by Koichiro Sasaki, staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

On Friday, October 30, 2015, St. Paul’s Kindergarten held its fall excursion. The kids and the faculty went to Kamegajyo Park, Inawashiro Town, Fukushima.

When the kindergarten held an athletic meeting the other day, I joined in and soon discovered that I needed to gain more strength and stamina. So I prepared myself well for this excursion by jogging and doing other exercises. The excursion was expected to involve a lot of running and walking around.

On the day of the excursion, it was slightly chilly here in Koriyama, Fukushima, yet we were bathed in comfortable, bright sunshine. Knowing that I would be having some “active” time with all those kids, I could tell that I would be hot soon and wore only a short-sleeved shirt. Though some nurses kindly asked me, “Aren’t you chilly in that shirt?” I was already excited thinking of the park.

So, there we were in Kamegajyo Park. All of us did good warm-up stretches and shook our arms and legs. Then we kicked off the long-awaited running race in the form of a wild game named “Catch Ms./Mr. XX.”

All the children chased after their nurses and instructors, who were supposed to “run for their lives,” in order not to be tagged out. Needless to say, the kids ran around frantically, trying to tag the faculty members. This was a rather unusual experience for me, since I seldom run around on grass. When I run, it is usually on a paved road, and pavement and grass create different sensations in the legs and feet as I run. Still, in front of all those kids, I did not want to look like a worn-out old man. I simply had to run like a young criminal—until I ran out of breath, oh my God, in only five minutes. My legs were working wham-bam as well. The kiddy hunters were coming in from all directions, in a great number and with great vigor! Alas, the only choice I had was to give up and be tagged out.20151031亀ヶ城公園

We had a plan to stroll around the remains of the Kamegajyo Castle. Then, however, the weather proved its capriciousness and it began to rain. We had no other choice but to have lunch and go home earlier than scheduled. (I had prepared well for visiting the castle—I learned its history in advance, and the sudden rain made me miss a good opportunity to prove I am a history buff.)

Still, the fall excursion was a lot of fun. Running around on grass is such a pleasure. The smells of plants and the wind made us feel the season passing from summer to fall. We learned the weather can suddenly change over mountains. I learned I need to build up my strength further. Most importantly, St. Paul’s kids are always full of vigor and health.

I am already looking forward to an excursion to the same park next year.

“Rocket Crayons” held a mini concert at St. Paul’s Kindergarten, Koriyama

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

On November 9, 2015, a duo named “Rocket Crayons” held a concert at St. Paul’s Kindergarten in Koriyama, Fukushima. The duo is loved by many kindergarteners. This was their third visit to St. Paul’s Kindergarten, and the kids still remembered the duo’s previous performances.

The duo consists of Mr. Takashi Yamaguchi and Mr. Satoshi Takada. In 1996, the two were working at the same nursery as children’s nurses. They added some melodies to what children were saying, which led to some original songs and action rhymes. Then, in September 2004, they kicked off the duo, Rocket Crayons, which has since been performing in concerts that light up the audience’s hearts. The duo has been striving to spread the message, “Life and friends matter.”

▾ In a song-exercise named “Karada Karuta (Body Play Cards),” they sing and touch parts of their bodies. A kindergartener and Satoshi competed in this.

ロケットクレヨン2
One of St. Paul’s nurses, Mai, challenged a duo member in “Karada Karuta” and won.
The whole audience sang and danced, filling the venue with laughter and vigor.
The whole audience sang and danced, filling the venue with laughter and vigor.
The “card game” above was followed by a “panel theater.” One character, a “tanuki” dog, turned himself into—what? * Looking at its silhouette, the kids made guesses.
The “card game” above was followed by a “panel theater.” One character, a “tanuki” dog, turned himself into—what? * Looking at its silhouette, the kids made guesses.

(Translator’s note: “Tanuki” dogs, Nyctereutes procyonoides, are mammals native to East Asia. They do not exist in the Americas, Britain, Africa, the Middle East, or Australia. In Japan, there are many fairy tales of a “tanuki” turning itself into something else.)

ロケットクレヨン8
While many thought the “tanuki” changed into a soft ice cream, he actually turned into a Santa Claus.

▾ To conclude the concert, two nurses gave the duo small tokens of gratitude—two teddy bears, wearing the kindergarten’s logo on their chests. The nurses had applied the logo to the bears, and the two recipients were very happy receiving them.

They all sang, danced, and communicated with each other with lovely smiles. The whole audience, including both the kids and the adults, was delighted. Many thanks, Rocket Crayons!!

The bishops of the Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan met on October 27th and 28th.

Original Japanese written by  staffer
The English below translated from the original Japanese by Heeday
The English translation edited by Rev. Dr. Henry French, ELCA

On Wednesday, October 27th and Thursday, October 28, 2015, all eleven bishops of the Anglican-Episcopal Church in Japan, as well as Revd. Shin’ichi Yahagi, the General Director of the Japan Province Office, came together at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Koriyama, Fukushima.

At the welcome lunch held on the 28th, together with some staffers of the church and its kindergarten
At the welcome lunch held on the 28th, together with some staffers of the church and its kindergarten

The bishops were scheduled to visit some areas hit hard by the earthquake of March 2011. To prepare them for the visit, the Project on Nuclear Power and Radiation held a PowerPoint presentation to show them the current state of those areas and to outline what they need. Prior to this meeting of the bishops, our staffers visited those areas to collect data, and then we prepared the PowerPoint slides based on the data collected.

The bishops watching the slides with good attention
The bishops watching the slides with good attention

Now, almost five years after the disaster, in Koriyama many citizens are living with the fear of radiation. At the temporary housing facilities, many residents are experiencing a greater need for mental care. Some biological mutations, probably ascribable to radiation, are developing in many plants in Fukushima Prefecture. We presented these and other issues, showing the bishops specific data.

 

Their visit to hard-hit areas --- at Tomioka Town, whose citizens are still in evacuation.
Their visit to hard-hit areas — at Tomioka Town, whose citizens are still in evacuation.
At Support Center Gangoya (Shinchi Town, Soma County, Fukushima), facilitated by Mr. Susumu Matsumoto, a staffer of our Project, some temporary housing residents described to the bishops the hardships they were still experiencing.
At Support Center Gangoya (Shinchi Town, Soma County, Fukushima), facilitated by Mr. Hiroshi Matsumoto, a staffer of our Project, some temporary housing residents described to the bishops the hardships they were still experiencing.
A memorial photo shot with temporary housing residents
A memorial photo shot with temporary housing residents
The bishops concluded their visit to hard-hit areas with a prayer on the premises where “Support Center Shinchi for Earthquake Victims” used to stand.
The bishops concluded their visit to hard-hit areas with a prayer on the premises where “Support Center Shinchi for Earthquake Victims” used to stand.