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Supporting Earthquake Victims: Reports from Two Organizations

On January 8, 2026, the Pal System Cooperative Federation held an online report meeting to discuss the activities of grant-receiving organizations for the "2024 Assistance Fund for Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster Victims". With the 15th anniversary of the disaster approaching, this gathering focused on how to continue supporting victims today.

Increasing Demand Amidst Challenges

The meeting saw participation from contributions made by members and staff, receiving insights from representatives of two organizations: Noriko Kojima from "Fukushima Families and Together in Hiratsuka" based in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, and Kazuma Yonekura alongside Kazuto Sugita from the "Disaster Stress Study Group" based in Minamisoma, Fukushima.

The organization, "Fukushima Families and Together in Hiratsuka," regularly invites families living in Fukushima to experience nature and community exchanges in Kanagawa during long school vacations. In 2025 alone, they welcomed 11 families consisting of 18 members over three terms: spring, winter, and summer. Kojima highlighted that many organizations are halting their activities due to financial difficulties and the aging of supporters, while, paradoxically, the number of applicants has surged beyond their planned capacity.

She noted, "We have many new families participating, as younger parents often hesitate to express their fears regarding radiation. Many have shared, 'Finally, during the exchange events, I was able to talk about my concerns with my children.' Through these gatherings, we're creating an opportunity to pass down memories of the nuclear disaster to future generations."

Kojima also talked about how the grant money helped purchase projectors for their workshops. "Now, even smaller spaces can display videos. We plan to create more opportunities for child-rearing generations to interact with each other."

Healing Through Sharing Experiences

From the Disaster Stress Study Group, an initiative titled "I, Too, Would Like to Speak" was discussed, which allows individuals who have experienced psychological trauma like PTSD to share their stories. The group, spearheaded by psychiatrist Ariyuzuka, aims to alleviate mental burdens by fostering dialogue and continues to preserve the memories of the nuclear disaster.

The program hosted five sessions in 2025 across Minamisoma and surrounding areas, featuring speakers who continued to grapple with their memories, such as medical practitioners who felt guilty for having evacuated and individuals who witnessed the tsunami firsthand.

Yonekura remarked, "In Okinawa, there are people still affected by PTSD from the Battle of Okinawa around 80 years ago. The emotional scars from wars or disasters remain forever."

Sugita shared insights on a visit to Ukraine in 2025 where they encountered children suffering mental stress due to both the Chernobyl disaster and ongoing Russian aggression. One of the therapeutic approaches used is art therapy, which encourages children to express their feelings through drawing, facilitating a release of pent-up emotions.

The grant funds were instrumental in managing the costs associated with these meetings. Yonekura anticipates expanding their outreach, stating, "Historically, we have limited attendance to maintain privacy for our speakers. Moving forward, we will explore ways to share our findings with those who have not participated."

Continuing Support for Disaster Victims

Since 2011, Pal System has been actively supporting victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear disaster. As part of this initiative, they appealed to members for donations to the "Support Fund for the Victims of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Disaster," which raised a total of 11,105,360 yen between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. These funds are utilized for thyroid examinations, relief gathering events for evacuees, and restorative camps for families.

In 2025, the Pal System allocated 6.24 million yen to 20 different organizations supporting victims of the March 11 disaster.

Pal System Cooperative Federation
Location: Okubo 2-2-6, Shinjuku, Tokyo. Chairman: Warmuki Shibusawa. Total business volume 260.42 billion yen, total membership: 1.762 million (as of March 2025). News members include Pal System Tokyo, Pal System Kanagawa, Pal System Chiba, Pal System Saitama, Pal System Ibaraki Tochigi, Pal System Yamanashi Nagano, Pal System Gunma, Pal System Fukushima, Pal System Shizuoka, Pal System Niigata Tokimeki, Pal System Mutual Aid, Saitama Prefectural Workers' Cooperative, and Ai Cooperative Miyagi. Visit Pal System's official website for more information.