*Read more about the project in this April 11, 2014 Japan Times article
Fukushima's Stolen Lives: a dairy farmer's story of how nuclear power destroyed a community and a way of life
(Japanese title: 原発に「ふるさと」を奪われて~福島県飯舘村・酪農家の叫び, Genpatsu ni ‘furusato’ o ubawarete: Fukushima-ken, Iitate-mura・rakunōka no sakebi)
In this personal account, published in Japan in 2012, dairy farmer and author Kenichi Hasegawa describes how most of the people—including very young children— in his village (known as Iitate) continued to live in their homes for more than two months following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on March 11, 2011. Iitate’s residents were unnecessarily exposed to large amounts of radiation simply because the Japanese government did not make information about the leakage of radioactive materials known to the public.
Hasegawa, who was himself exposed to large amounts of radiation, describes the 3/11 catastrophe and its consequences in simple, direct, and clear prose, and in a way that could only be told by someone who lived through it. Weaving together various stories about the experiences of Iitate’s residents, Hasegawa is a witness to the truth of what life was like immediately following the accident—as he suffered with the knowledge that his children and grandchildren had been exposed to radiation, as he lost all of his cattle (who were considered part of the family, not simply the source of their livelihood), and as he endured the suicide of a fellow dairy farmer and friend. Written in the form of field reports (reportage), Hasegawa recorded these experiences following the nuclear accident not only for the sake of documenting the truth of the past, but also in an effort to create a more hopeful future.
After the publication of Hasegawa’s book in Japanese, we heard from people all over the world—concerned citizens, lawyers, journalists, educators, and others—who asked that these valuable reports be made available to a wider audience. This was the impetus for our plan to produce an English translation.
Plan Overview:
Project Name:
Kenichi Hasegawa Project
Project Details
English e-book translation of Fukushima's Stolen Lives: a dairy farmer's story of how nuclear power destroyed a community and a way of life, by Kenichi Hasegawa, dairy farmer and former resident of Iitate Village, Fukushima Prefecture
Project Representative
Shojiro Akashi (Reportage Laboratory, Co., Ltd.)
TEL: +81-3-3577-5456
FAX: +81-3-3577-5458
Translator
Amy C. Franks, PhD
Projected Project Start Date
Already started
Projected Project Completion Date
Spring 2016
Project Time Schedule
Late 2015: E-book completed. Begin sales on amazon.com and other retailers.
Project Implementation or Project Cancellation
Total production costs: 1.8 million yen (translation: ¥1 million; e-book production: ¥800,000).
Our fundraising efforts will now extend until the end of December 2015. See this link for more details: March 1 Update
Payment method:
Paypal
All backers who contribute 1000 Japanese yen (approximately $10) or more will receive one complimentary copy of the e-book, provided that that the total fundraising goal (¥1.8 million) is met and the project is implemented. Please indicate your preferred e-book platform (Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks).
Project Implementation Decision Date
December 31, 2014
Publishing Information
This title will be published as an e-book (Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks)
Expected Publication Date
Spring 2015
For more information, please contact Shojiro Akashi at Reportage Laboratory Co., Ltd.
TEL: +81-3-3577-5456
FAX: +81-3-3577-5458
mail:[email protected]
* Schedule may vary slightly.
* Please make inquiries in English or Japanese.
Fukushima's Stolen Lives: a dairy farmer's story of how nuclear power destroyed a community and a way of life
(Japanese title: 原発に「ふるさと」を奪われて~福島県飯舘村・酪農家の叫び, Genpatsu ni ‘furusato’ o ubawarete: Fukushima-ken, Iitate-mura・rakunōka no sakebi)
In this personal account, published in Japan in 2012, dairy farmer and author Kenichi Hasegawa describes how most of the people—including very young children— in his village (known as Iitate) continued to live in their homes for more than two months following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident that occurred on March 11, 2011. Iitate’s residents were unnecessarily exposed to large amounts of radiation simply because the Japanese government did not make information about the leakage of radioactive materials known to the public.
Hasegawa, who was himself exposed to large amounts of radiation, describes the 3/11 catastrophe and its consequences in simple, direct, and clear prose, and in a way that could only be told by someone who lived through it. Weaving together various stories about the experiences of Iitate’s residents, Hasegawa is a witness to the truth of what life was like immediately following the accident—as he suffered with the knowledge that his children and grandchildren had been exposed to radiation, as he lost all of his cattle (who were considered part of the family, not simply the source of their livelihood), and as he endured the suicide of a fellow dairy farmer and friend. Written in the form of field reports (reportage), Hasegawa recorded these experiences following the nuclear accident not only for the sake of documenting the truth of the past, but also in an effort to create a more hopeful future.
After the publication of Hasegawa’s book in Japanese, we heard from people all over the world—concerned citizens, lawyers, journalists, educators, and others—who asked that these valuable reports be made available to a wider audience. This was the impetus for our plan to produce an English translation.
Plan Overview:
Project Name:
Kenichi Hasegawa Project
Project Details
English e-book translation of Fukushima's Stolen Lives: a dairy farmer's story of how nuclear power destroyed a community and a way of life, by Kenichi Hasegawa, dairy farmer and former resident of Iitate Village, Fukushima Prefecture
Project Representative
Shojiro Akashi (Reportage Laboratory, Co., Ltd.)
TEL: +81-3-3577-5456
FAX: +81-3-3577-5458
Translator
Amy C. Franks, PhD
Projected Project Start Date
Already started
Projected Project Completion Date
Spring 2016
Project Time Schedule
Late 2015: E-book completed. Begin sales on amazon.com and other retailers.
Project Implementation or Project Cancellation
Total production costs: 1.8 million yen (translation: ¥1 million; e-book production: ¥800,000).
Our fundraising efforts will now extend until the end of December 2015. See this link for more details: March 1 Update
Payment method:
Paypal
All backers who contribute 1000 Japanese yen (approximately $10) or more will receive one complimentary copy of the e-book, provided that that the total fundraising goal (¥1.8 million) is met and the project is implemented. Please indicate your preferred e-book platform (Amazon Kindle or Apple iBooks).
Project Implementation Decision Date
December 31, 2014
Publishing Information
This title will be published as an e-book (Amazon Kindle and Apple iBooks)
Expected Publication Date
Spring 2015
For more information, please contact Shojiro Akashi at Reportage Laboratory Co., Ltd.
TEL: +81-3-3577-5456
FAX: +81-3-3577-5458
mail:[email protected]
* Schedule may vary slightly.
* Please make inquiries in English or Japanese.