Kyoto Festival Organizers Make 2nd Firewood U-Turn

[Mulboyne]

The has been a bit of a fuss over Kyoto's Gozan no Okuribi festival which involves burning bonfires on the hillsides around the city. Japan Probe noted that organizers had planned to use firewood from Iwate but received complaints from citizens concerned about radiation. Tests revealed no contamination but the plan was ditched to offset these fears. This then sparked another wave of criticism as the organizers were accused of overreacting and helping to fuel unfounded fears. Consequently, a new order was placed for firewood from Rikuzen Takata in Iwate. Unfortunately, this batch has now been tested and found to have traces of radioactive caesium so organizers have once again decided against using it.

Source (Japanese)

[osopolar]

bunch of fuck nuts man.

[Mulboyne]

The Mayor of Kyoto has apologized to Rikuzen Takata over the matter. He points out that the radiation standards for goods such as firewood are the same as those for foodstuffs and hopes that the government might review the criteria.

Source (Japanese)

[Yokohammer]

This was really disappointing. The organizers of the daimonji-yaki have proven themselves to be a bunch of heartless, bigoted old farts.

People in Iwate who had lost family in the disaster had written names and messages on the specially prepared pieces of wood to be burned at the Kyoto festival. The first time around no radiation was detected on the wood, yet they were turned down at the last minute.

People often say that Kyoto culture is "closed", but this is the first time I've seen that reputation manifested in such an outright manner.

[Mike Oxlong]

I don't know if this is a good example of a closed culture within a closed culture. The prevailing mood right now is fear of the unknown, distrust of the government who have done nothing to remove fear of the unkown (and have proven themselves worthy of distrust & disgust), and a "take matters into our own hands" attitude that while it might not always be right, is likely a better course of action that following the government's lead.

[Yokohammer]

I don't know if this is a good example of a closed culture within a closed culture. The prevailing mood right now is fear of the unknown, distrust of the government who have done nothing to remove fear of the unkown (and have proven themselves worthy of distrust & disgust), and a "take matters into our own hands" attitude that while it might not always be right, is likely a better course of action that following the government's lead.

But it's just wood. Bits of wood with prayers for the deceased written on 'em. I would assume that the initial radiation tests were done by an independent lab, and that those tests were done at the request of the festival organizers. They came up with no radiation whatsoever, yet there were members of that organization who still refused to allow the wood to be used in the festival. I honestly can't see any excuse for that whatsoever, since they had initially agreed to go ahead.

Then, under pressure of overwhelming criticism they appeared to be ready to allow the Iwate wood at the festival again when, all of a sudden, they "find" radioactivity and backflip once again. Frankly, I'm suspicious of the new finding. It would seem like a very convenient way to extricate themselves from a situation in which they are likely to lose face.

Even if there is a trace of radioactivity in the wood it's not like there'll be radioactive fallout blanketing Kyoto as a result.

I say it's just a soulless, petty response.