Ise Shrine Rice Donation Diverted

[Mulboyne]

Soon after the earthquake hit in March, Ise Jingu (the Grand Shrine at Ise) sent five tons of rice to the Association of Shinto Shrines for distribution in the disaster-hit zones. Rice from the shrine carries an imperial seal and is used mainly for ceremonial purposes. It might have been intended as much as a morale boosting gesture by Ise Jingu rather than just the supply of basic provisions. It now transpires that the association passed on two tons to Miyagi and one ton to Iwate but kept back the remaining two tons and handed it out to staff in Tokyo instead. It seems the Fukushima branch of the shrine association said that the evacuation of citizens would make it difficult to distribute the rice so they asked for a postponement. In May, however, the association decided they couldn't wait any longer. They stripped off the labels and repackaged the rice in 5kg bags. It was then handed out to staff in 10-30kg allotments. Some staff apparently sent their shares on to Fukushima while others did not take it at all which suggests the move did not meet with wholehearted approval.

Source (Japanese)