We visited Fukushima on the 19th and 20th of February. On the first day we stayed in Minamisōma City, and moved onto Fukushima City on the second.

Last month there was still snow in Fukushima, but this month the temperature was warmer. It feels like spring is finally approaching.

 

The view from the highway driving from Tokyo to Fukushima.

 

 

【Thermotherapy】

This month, we were able to administer thermotherapy to 57 people. The thermotherapy team was composed of four staff members on the first day, and 5 staff members on the second.

The individuals who come by to receive thermotherapy treatment are always cheerful and enthusiastic, even though many suffer from some type of pain in their bodies. When we asked about which parts of their bodies hurt most, one of them answered: “My shoulders, my hips, my legs, actually… everywhere!”  Each visit, we try to help relieve as much of their pain as we can.

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

【Fukushima in the Spring】

Below are a few pictures that represent Fukushima during this time of the year. We can see the season starting to change from winter to spring.
We wonder when the sakura trees will blossom this year.

  

 

 

 

 

Hanamiyama mountain in Fukushima. The flowers are beginning to bloom.

  

 

 

 

Fukushima in the morning: a beautiful shot of the sun peeking through the clouds.

Thermotherapy session on the whiteboard schedule.

 

 

 

Time for lunch!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

We can still see bags of contaminated soil sitting by the side of the road.

One of the children’s facilities gave us some items to send to the children in Nepal!

 

 

【In the newspaper】

 

The Japanese government has declared support towards the 16 prefectures, including Fukushima prefecture, with the fewest number of medical practitioners. We hope that more doctors will come to Fukushima, where the food is good and the nature is beautiful.

 

《Thermotherapy participants》

Day 1: 23 participants (5 at Ōmika Lifelong Learning Center, 18 at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing)

Day 2: 34 participants (14 at Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai, 5 at Rainbow House, 13 at Minna no Ie Second, 2 at  Iinomachi Community Center “Matsubokkuri“)