TOKYO // Makoto Matsukawa was sitting in his second-floor office surrounded by tax paperwork when the building started shaking with such ferocity that the windows blew in and he was flung to the ground.
Three long minutes later, the first wave of Japan's worst earthquake on record may have stopped - but for Mr Matsukawa and thousands of others across Fukushima, the nightmare was only just beginning.
Two years have passed since March 11, 2011, when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake - and the epic tsunami and nuclear disaster it triggered - forever changed the landscape of north-east Japan.
Much of the rubble has been cleared and rebuilding is under way but in Fukushima prefecture, home to the damaged nuclear power plant, the sense of tragedy remains raw.
Once lauded for its delicious vegetables and stunning mountain scenery, Fukushima has acquired the status as a region forever tainted by a nuclear disaster.
From farming to tourism, the devastating effect on businesses across the spectrum has triggered growing reports of bankruptcy, suicide, depression and health concerns, in particular for the young.
Now, residents of Fukushima - including Mr Matsukawa - are fighting back. On Monday, as the nation stops to remember the 19,000 lives lost, a group of 800 will launch a major legal battle at Fukushima District Court.
The residents - ranging in age from six months to more than 80 - are suing the government and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), operators of the nuclear plant, in the biggest class action of its kind since the disaster unfolded.
"Life is very different compared to two years ago," Mr Matsukawa said. "Farmers cannot sell their produce, radiation contamination in the city has still not been cleaned up and residents, including children, are under heavy emotional stress.
"We cannot imagine the future. For people living in Fukushima, there is no optimism or sense of hope for anything that lies ahead. No one can smile."
Mr Matsukawa, 59, lives with his wife, 60, a nurse, his 83-year-old mother and his daughter, 31, on the fringes of Sukagawa city, about 70 kilometres from Fukushima Daiichi, the nuclear power plant that contaminated the surrounding land, sea and air with radiation during explosions after the tsunami.
An official evacuation zone spanning up to 30km has been imposed around the plant since the disaster, with as many as 160,000 residents relocated and warned they may never be able to return home because of high contamination levels.
However, thousands more Fukushima residents just outside the official zone - such as Mr Matsukawa - continue to live in contaminated environments. A recent Greenpeace report stated that radiation levels in places were 200 times higher than before the nuclear incident.
Mr Matsukawa's family has farmed rice, cucumbers, cabbages and potatoes for generations but this was abruptly ended by the radiation that spilled across the region.
The soft-spoken Mr Matsukawa, who is also head of the regional branch of an organisation representing small businesses and farmers, recalled how his life changed at 2.46pm on March 11 two years ago.
"When the earthquake first struck, I didn't think about the nuclear power plant at first as things were so chaotic," he said. "It was only later on the television that I learnt the plant had been damaged.
"Many people fled but in our case, we had no petrol, we had nowhere to go and I couldn't move my elderly mother. I also felt a sense of responsibility to the 400 farmers I represent to stay and help."
A week or so later, news arrived that the governor of Fukushima had ordered a ban on selling cabbage, cucumbers, mountain mushrooms and other seasonal vegetables at markets because of contamination.
"Farmers in Fukushima thought that's it, we're finished," recalled Mr Matsukawa. "Around 60 to 70 per cent of the population in Sukagawa are farmers. Over the coming months, the criteria for what we could sell kept changing, with restrictions changing depending on which produce was in season."
Farming has not been the only aspect of life affected. "Two years after the disaster, the city contamination has still not been cleaned up," said Mr Matsukawa. "The top soil has not been changed and atmospheric contamination is high."
Mr Matsukawa said he recently recorded 1.036 microsieverts per hour of contamination outside his farm. The government recommended safety level is 0.23, he said.
"Many people are still eating Fukushima food, the produce they grow themselves at home but cannot sell," he said. "I don't think it's safe for them to eat. Caesium levels are also high in children's urine tests."
Radiation levels may be recordable, but less tangible - and perhaps even more damaging - has been the emotional toll on residents.
"The biggest impact has been in terms of stress levels," Mr Matsukawa said. "At least one farmer has committed suicide. Children have also had a stressful time and have not been able to play outside. We have also encountered prejudice from people outside Fukushima. If people see a Fukushima car plate for example, they have refused to serve them in petrol stations or have anything to do with them in case they are 'contaminated'."
Of his own personal challenges, he said: "My daughter has also been deeply affected mentally by this.
"She was an office worker but she stopped going to work 18 months ago. She suffers from depression."
Tales of depression, bankruptcy, health fears and loss of hope for the future are common among each of the 800 residents in their suit, said Izutaro Managi, their lawyer.
They say the governmment and Tepco failed to take adequate steps to protect the plant against nuclear meltdown, despite being aware of the damage a tsunami could cause.
Each of those involved in the case, which could take up to a decade to reach Japan's Supreme Court, is claiming 55,000 yen (Dh2,100) in compensation for every month since the disaster.
For many, however, the financial compensation is only the tip of the iceberg. Echoing the sentiment of hundreds involved in the lawsuit, Mr Matsukawa said: "It's not just about money. We want our Fukushima lives back."
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
What is an ETF?
An exchange traded fund is a type of investment fund that can be traded quickly and easily, just like stocks and shares. They come with no upfront costs aside from your brokerage's dealing charges and annual fees, which are far lower than on traditional mutual investment funds. Charges are as low as 0.03 per cent on one of the very cheapest (and most popular), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, with the maximum around 0.75 per cent.
There is no fund manager deciding which stocks and other assets to invest in, instead they passively track their chosen index, country, region or commodity, regardless of whether it goes up or down.
The first ETF was launched as recently as 1993, but the sector boasted $5.78 billion in assets under management at the end of September as inflows hit record highs, according to the latest figures from ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five largest providers BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisers, Deutsche Bank X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
While the best-known track major indices such as MSCI World, the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, you can also invest in specific countries or regions, large, medium or small companies, government bonds, gold, crude oil, cocoa, water, carbon, cattle, corn futures, currency shifts or even a stock market crash.
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
RESULTS
2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)
2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam
3.15pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri
4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,600hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.4seconds
0-200kph in 5.8 seconds
0-300kph in 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 440kph
Price: Dh13,200,000
Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport - the specs:
Engine: 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16
Transmission: 7-speed DSG auto
Power: 1,500hp
Torque: 1,600Nm
0-100kph in 2.3 seconds
0-200kph in 5.5 seconds
0-300kph in 11.8 seconds
Top speed: 350kph
Price: Dh13,600,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Profile box
Founders: Michele Ferrario, Nino Ulsamer and Freddy Lim
Started: established in 2016 and launched in July 2017
Based: Singapore, with offices in the UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
Sector: FinTech, wealth management
Initial investment: $500,000 in seed round 1 in 2016; $2.2m in seed round 2 in 2017; $5m in series A round in 2018; $12m in series B round in 2019; $16m in series C round in 2020 and $25m in series D round in 2021
Current staff: more than 160 employees
Stage: series D
Investors: EightRoads Ventures, Square Peg Capital, Sequoia Capital India
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
