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Fukushima Forum 2026: Addressing the Legacy of a Nuclear Disaster

On February 11, 2026, the Fukushima Forum 2026 will be held at the Funabashi City Labor Citizen Center, from 2 PM to 4 PM. Organized by Pal System Chiba, in coordination with seven local organizations, this event aims to keep the memory of the Fukushima nuclear disaster alive, which occurred 15 years ago and continues to influence local residents.

The forum will feature electronic picture books, including Shikoto Elementary School: The Miraculous Evacuation Story and The Namie Fire Department: A Tale of Regret. These screenings highlight the experiences of a school that managed to evacuate all its students without casualties during the tsunami, alongside the tragic fate of the Namie Fire Department, which had to withdraw despite having potential rescue opportunities. The presentations will be handled by the Namie Town Storytelling Group, formed by residents who took refuge in temporary housing following the disaster.

Three local organizations will share their ongoing support efforts for evacuees and affected individuals, employing a relay talk format. Discussions will delve into the impact of radiation and the longing for a home that many cannot return to, reflecting on the current lives and situations faced by those from Fukushima post-disaster.

Among those speaking will be Masazumi Monma from the Matsudo and Tohoku Exchange Project, who fosters dialogue with residents. He emphasizes the extraction of lessons from the Great East Japan Earthquake for improving local disaster preparedness while continuously addressing unresolved issues related to the nuclear accident.

Yuko Ishii from the Chiba Citizen Activity Support Club will highlight her initiatives in collaborating with local governments and aid organizations to combat the isolation of evacuees. Finally, Hisakazu Fujiwara of the Chiba Residents' Council on Radioactive Waste will discuss the council's efforts to push for the removal of radioactive waste, generated by the nuclear accident, from public areas.

The organizing committee of the Fukushima Forum 2026 consists of various groups that have engaged closely with survivors and evacuees in Chiba Prefecture since the nuclear accident. The forum aims to deepen participants' understanding of the ongoing challenges faced in Fukushima as 15 years have passed since the earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster. Pal System Chiba remains committed to supporting the many local groups that continue to confront these lasting issues.

Event Details

• - Date: February 11, 2026 (Wednesday, National Holiday) 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
• - Location: Funabashi City Labor Citizen Center Hall (4-19-6 Honcho, Funabashi City)
• - Access: 6 minutes walk from JR Sobu Line