DDBC Invites Two Japanese Professionals to Speak About Post-Traumatic Spiritual Recovery after the Fukushima Accident
On the afternoon of 19 December 2012, Dharma Drum Buddhist College (DDBC) held a special lecture, titled ‘Experience of Trauma Resiliency at Fukushima’, where Dr. Tetsunori Koizumi and Dr. Hisako Koizumi, were invited to share their experiences on post-traumatic spiritual recovery after the Fukushima accident that occurred on 11 March 2011.
Following a major earthquake, a devastating tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling functions of three Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors. The tsunami inundated about 560 square kilometers and resulted in a death toll of over 19,000 people. Significant damage occurred to coastal ports and towns with over a million buildings destroyed or damaged.
According to Dr. Tetsunori Koizumi, there are around 17,000 students living in the vicinity of nuclear reactors who are still unable to return to their campus. Around 45,000 inhabitants who were originally living in neighboring areas of the nuclear reactors have since been living in shelters and are still in need of physical and spiritual care.
Dr. Tetsunori Koizumi said that given the polluted and still deteriorating state of the living environment, people in shelters are desperately in need of new communities for re-settlement. Obstacles such as funding issues and tedious administrative processes pose constant pressure on the development of these new communities. Dr. Koizumi said that having well-qualified and organized channels for communication are the main concern now for volunteers who want to offer assistance.
On the other hand, Dr. Hisako Koizumi said that although these victims may be suffering from spiritual crises, with related manifestations including alcohol abuse, they have also demonstrated an inspiringly strong vitality in everyday life, and have been constantly working hard on the restoration of their lives on un-polluted farmlands.
(translated by Jin Yang/edited by DDM Australia Editing Team)