Appeal from Niseko
Dear friends of Niseko,
As regulars to Niseko these past few years, I wanted to write and reassure you that Niseko and indeed Japan is very much “open for business” following the terrible Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami on March 11, and subsequent crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant, which is located on the separate island of Honshu over 600kms to the south east of Niseko.
The losses that the Japanese people have sustained, especially in the Tohoku region, are heartbreaking. Of those who have survived, many face the grim task of rebuilding their lives without loved ones, without their family homes and without the means to support themselves. I was down there helping out with the cleanup in April as a volunteer for 9 days and saw for myself how bad it was. The whole area, spanning 400 kms and including dozens of coastal towns and villages, will be “on crutches” for years, even with the full support of the Japanese nation.
Back in Niseko, you would think you are in another world. But while we have been spared any of the physical effects, we are now bracing for a downtown in tourism because of people’s fears for their safety. At least one holiday company is down 70% for next season compared to this time last year and several of the holiday companies have laid off good people in anticipation of a downturn. I appeal to you – as people like myself who are now a part of the Niseko community – to come back to Niseko next season. Niseko needs people like you, who know and love the area, to lead the way. Please come back and please recommend Niseko to your friends with confidence.
The worst of the damage to the Fukushima nuclear plant has been contained, but that news has not been communicated through the foreign media, who have long moved on to the next big story. The Tokyo Electric Company are now decommissioning the plant and that process is expected to take around 6-9 months.The Japanese newspapers publish radiation measurements daily for every Prefecture in Japan, and there has never been a cause for alarm in Niseko or Sapporo, and not just because it is located some 650kms away -- the fact is that most of Japan remains unaffected. Supporting this view, the recent US State Department travel alert for Japan states “The health and safety risks to areas beyond the 50-mile evacuation zone, and particularly to Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama, … and to prefectures which are outside a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are low and do not pose significant risks to U.S. citizens.” Even Lady Gaga has come out and said "we are doing more harm to Japan by staying away than by going." On a positive note, some of the local holiday companies are reporting that Japanese holiday visitation is up for this summer, indicating confidence in the area by Japanese themselves.
As for Ezo Seafoods, we potentially face a “double punch” because of people’s fears of contaminated food, especially seafood. As you know, Keiko and I are very particular about the source and quality of our products and we are taking a number of steps ahead of next season to ensure that what we serve can be verified physically as safe from contamination. I am taking nothing for granted. Fortunately for Hokkaido, the Pacific current actually flows southward, protecting the waters of Hokkaido that are home to the abundant shellfish and local fish that we like to serve at Ezo.
As for food in general, you won’t be surprised to hear that Japanese consumers are furious with the Tokyo Electric Company and are demanding that all produce, including seafood, is tested for safety all over Japan. In addition to a comprehensive governmental and NGO monitoring, private food production and distribution organizations in Japan have also begun testing radiation levels as well to insure that no contaminated food makes its way into the supplies. The only items that have tested negatively so far were food samples taken from areas located in the vicinity of the Fukushima plant – a long long way from Niseko -- and never made it to market. There are obviously real concerns about food safety, but so far there is absolutely no cause for alarm, least of all in Hokkaido.
At this stage, it appears the main problem we face is “fear.” The powder snow, food and the unique “Niseko” life will be as amazing as ever this season. Again, please be confident recommending Niseko to all who pass your way.
Thanks for your understanding. Please send this "open letter" on to your other Niseko friends. And please say a prayer for the many people struggling against so much in the Tohoku area.
Reference:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_5454.html
http://www.metro.us/newyork/life/article/862257--japan-is-open-for-business
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