The Legend of Hachiko - “Japan’s most faithful dog”
“On April 21st, 2011, the Japanese Government choose to prevent rescue of the animals inside the radioactive exclusion zone.
Today we must remember Hachiko!”
“On April 21st, 2011, the Japanese Government choose to prevent rescue of the animals inside the radioactive exclusion zone.
Today we must remember Hachiko!”
Open Letter to the Japanese Government
Dear Japanese Policy Makers:
We are writing you regarding the triple catastrophe the Japanese people have recently suffered: the earthquake, the tsunami, and now the radiation.
As widely reported in the newspapers and television, the radioactive exclusion zone was sealed April 21st, 2011, preventing the ongoing evacuation of Japanese pets (companion animals) and livestock from the area within the exclusion zone. The official announcement from CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY EDANO is here:
http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/incident/110421_1100.html
This decision leaves many animals to simply starve or revert to the wild — and many animal owners even more distraught since they will never know the ultimate fate of their pets and livestock. We must reduce both the human and animal suffering and allow the rescues to continue. These search and rescue teams are risking their own welfare, time, and money to evacuate these pets. Let them continue and call for wider assistance from the international community. The world can see the damage Japan sustained and is ready to help.
The Legend of Hachiko
Let us not forget the story of the most famous Japanese dog: Hachiko — “the faithful dog.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D
Hachiko (November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), known in Japanese as “faithful dog Hachiko” was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Odate, Akita Prefecture, remembered for his remarkable loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner’s death.
Hachiko was given away after his master’s death, but he routinely escaped, returning again and again to his old home. Eventually, Hachiko apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachiko waited for the return of his owner.
The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachiko attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachiko and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachiko treats and food to nourish him during his wait.
Just as the Shibuya people did years ago for Hachiko, we too must also bring nourishment and safety to the animals abandoned inside the exclusion zone.
Just as the Shibuya people did years ago for Hachiko, we too must also bring nourishment and safety to the animals abandoned inside the exclusion zone.
Cultural Memories
The Japanese culture is also well known for its humility and humbleness, its lack of crime, and safety of the citizens. However, committing these animals to an unknown fate and preventing the safe and organized rescue of them is viewed as cruelty by those monitoring the news reports.
Personally, we are surprised by this — what other culture would make the most effort to save these animals if not the Japanese? We are also surprised a “positive injunction” against this government action has not been filed within your legal system to retain access to the exclusion zone. Surely it must be illegal to abandon these animals and prevent any assistance to them?
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” —- Mahatma Gandhi.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” —- Mahatma Gandhi.
While no society is perfect in this respect, we must all work toward improved animal husbandry to become both better humans and guardians of the earth and the animals.
Image courtesy: www.kinshipcircle.org
WHAT WE ASK OF YOU
- Remember the story of Hachiko the most faithful Japanese dog!
- Let the legend of Hachiko teach us about loyalty and guide our future actions!
- Be faithful to the loyal decedents of Hachiko, and to the abandoned Fukushima animals.
“ Please immediately reconsider your decision to seal the pets (companion animals) and livestock inside the exclusion zone.
“ Please immediately reconsider your decision to seal the pets (companion animals) and livestock inside the exclusion zone.
Image courtesy: www.kinshipcircle.org
Allow the continuation of ongoing work conducted by private Animal Search And Rescue (A-SAR) teams to bring these animals safely out of the exclusion zone. Work with groups like The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) — who are bringing together representatives to find a solution from: Japanese Ministry of Environment, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): APHIS Animal Care and Wildlife Services, United States Army Veterinary Corps, veterinary and toxicology experts, academics, and IFAW [1].
Image used under “fair use rights” (title 17, U. S. Code)
Show the WORLD that despite all the catastrophe and chaos of this triple event, the Japanese spirit still stands for humanity, and the reduction of suffering — be it animal or human:
- Set the standard against which other cultures are measured during future catastrophic events.
- Use your vast pools of academic knowledge and technical know-how to solve this problem.
- Rescind your decision to seal these animals inside the zone and resurrect them from this fate.
We know you can do it, you must simply choose the right path — the power is within your hands.
We know you can do it, you must simply choose the right path — the power is within your hands.
Signed, your friends and supporters in this critical time,
The Hachiko Coalition
pr@hachiko-coalition.org
Watch the Hachiko movie trailer:
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
Watch the Hachiko movie trailer:
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale
____________________________________
Short list of Non-Profits and NGOs on the ground in Japan that are taking action and need your support.
Short list of Non-Profits and NGOs on the ground in Japan that are taking action and need your support.
Please donate now and show you understand the need.
This open letter is not affiliated with any organization, simply a group of concerned citizens.
Contact
Email: pr@hachiko-coalition.org
Website: http://hachiko-coalition.org/
_____________________________________
Here’s a petition seeking enforcement of previous commitments.
Use this URL to send a message to Japan’s e-Government
Send the Press an email (or this letter)!
Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan
Ryu Matsumoto, Minister of the Environment
Godochosha No. 5, 1-2-2 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8975, Japan
tel: +81-(0)3-3581-3351
moe@env.go.jp
https://www.env.go.jp/en/moemail
Noriyuki Shikata
Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Public Relations/Director of Global Communications, Prime Minister’s Office
http://twitter.com/#!/norishikata
Twitter: @norishikata
Prime Minister’s Office of Japan
Twitter: @JPN_PMO
Public work, all rights released.
[1] http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw_united_states/media_center/press_releases/4_22_2011_70131.php
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END OF DOCUMENT
Here’s a petition seeking enforcement of previous commitments.
Copy and Paste the letter above into an email, simply click here!
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