～On the first anniversary of Tohoku earthquake
(March 11, 2011)
▲Ypthima argus UN
▲Ypthima argus UP
Look at the two pictures above. They are of a specimen of Ypthima argus, which is very common throughout Japan except for southernmost islands. Thus, very few butterfly enthusiasts, if any, in Japan pay much attention to this species. But this time the author has a reason to show this specimen with some emotion. The collection data of this specimen is as follows:
“Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Ottozawa, O-kuma town, Fukushima, Japan, June 3, 2006”
“Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, Ottozawa, O-kuma town, Fukushima, Japan, June 3, 2006”
▲A view nearby the collection site of this specimen. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is seen on the north. These buildings are now devastated by the tsunami and subsequent explosion (June, 2006)
One year has passed since March 11, 2011, when the catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and the tsunami devastated the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. On the first anniversary of this disaster, here first of all, the author would like to express his sincere condolences to the estimated 20,000 victims. Among the fortunate survivors, many have had to move far away from their homes because of the disastrous Fukushima nuclear plant event. Former residents near the plant are not allowed to have the slightest hope to go back home in any near future. There seems to be a long way to go before the survivors recover their normal lives. The earthquake and tsunami were natural disasters. But the nuclear plant accident was completely different in nature as it would never have happened without humans.
Now many Japanese people have started to think and question ourselves again. Were we not too proud of ourselves and of our abilities that we could control nature? Do we still remember the basic truth that we are mere small beings on earth which could barely sustain our lives only by the great blessings from the awe-inspiring nature?
The scientific name of the species “argus” derives from Argus, the giant with 100 eyes in Greek mythology. The sleepless giant with numerous eyes would see all human activities. Soon in May, numerous “giants” will fly over the grasslands just around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where the entry is now strictly restricted because of the high-level radiation. They will show their usual skipping flights over the ground, silently watching the workers busy struggling over the spill to make progress in the seemingly endless recovery work at the plant.
One year has passed since March 11, 2011, when the catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and the tsunami devastated the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. On the first anniversary of this disaster, here first of all, the author would like to express his sincere condolences to the estimated 20,000 victims. Among the fortunate survivors, many have had to move far away from their homes because of the disastrous Fukushima nuclear plant event. Former residents near the plant are not allowed to have the slightest hope to go back home in any near future. There seems to be a long way to go before the survivors recover their normal lives. The earthquake and tsunami were natural disasters. But the nuclear plant accident was completely different in nature as it would never have happened without humans.
Now many Japanese people have started to think and question ourselves again. Were we not too proud of ourselves and of our abilities that we could control nature? Do we still remember the basic truth that we are mere small beings on earth which could barely sustain our lives only by the great blessings from the awe-inspiring nature?
The scientific name of the species “argus” derives from Argus, the giant with 100 eyes in Greek mythology. The sleepless giant with numerous eyes would see all human activities. Soon in May, numerous “giants” will fly over the grasslands just around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where the entry is now strictly restricted because of the high-level radiation. They will show their usual skipping flights over the ground, silently watching the workers busy struggling over the spill to make progress in the seemingly endless recovery work at the plant.
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