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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

Hosono gives up salary over dumping of radioactive soil by environment ministry official

National Nov. 18, 2011 - 06:45PM JST ( 33 )

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33 Comments

1

smithinjapanNov. 18, 2011 - 03:01PM JST

I think sending the package to the Ministry took a lot of guts, as improper as it was. But considering the Ministry's mishandling of the whole disaster so far, and the denial by the government that it's all safe for humans, well...

As for then dumping the soil in an empty lot near the guy's house, that's more proof of mishandling and ineptitude. Now, were they caught and is that why Hosono is doing this? It's good that he's going to give up his salary for the time he's in office, but the ministry should be willing to buy the lot they dumped it on, or at least take a law suit from the person who owns it.
4

kurisupisuNov. 18, 2011 - 03:15PM JST

Residents of contaminated areas should be evacuated from those areas.

Why isn't t Hososno t sending his salary as a contribution to the residents of Fukushima for this purpose.......
6

soldaveNov. 18, 2011 - 03:20PM JST

This guy's on $36,000... a month?!?!
5

spudmanreincarnatedNov. 18, 2011 - 03:21PM JST

So the soil is worrisome enough to merit loss of pay and demotions but not worrisome enough to merit direct aid for those that live on it? This Govt. is so screwing us that live here. Time someone got pissed off and lost the famous stoicism that Japanese are so famous for in the face of crap happening al around them. Shoganai won't cut the mustard on this issue.
4

tajNov. 18, 2011 - 03:27PM JST

I'd've been more impressed if the ministry worker dumped it within his own lot - literally in his own back yard - but maybe he lives in an apartment. Still, he didn't mind having it near his home. Wasn't a serious threat from the sounds of it. The mistake was in throwing it onto someone else's property - and it's a PR mistake more than anything.
3

MaboDofuIsSpicyNov. 18, 2011 - 03:28PM JST

The ministry said analysis of the soil showed radiation of 0.18 microsieverts per hour, about the same as soil in areas around Tokyo.

It was plane old dirt. What is the big deal?
1

MaitakeNov. 18, 2011 - 03:29PM JST

so, he'll be just a little less richer each month... but still pretty rich. wow, very noble. Agree with kurispisu, the nobler thing to do would be to contribute to all those who lost so much from the crisis.
2

zichiNov. 18, 2011 - 03:31PM JST

There are 13,000 sq km of contaminated land across 8 prefectures. 8,000 sq km are in Fukushima and out of that 1,800 sq kms are inside the exclusion zone. I don't know how many households or people live in those 13,000 sq km.

I think Japanese ministers receive less salary than American or British ones?
4

NetSamuraiNov. 18, 2011 - 03:32PM JST

1.3 Million Yen a month eh? Okay.....give it up.
4

GurukunNov. 18, 2011 - 03:34PM JST

It's no wonder why Japan is hurting for money! All the politicians are taking it!
3

alladinNov. 18, 2011 - 05:23PM JST

I actually commend the person that sent the dirt. It was an eye opener for Environment Minister Goshi Hosono. Maybe everyone in Fukushima should do the same thing to wake up the government officials in Japan!
5

zichiNov. 18, 2011 - 05:29PM JST

It would be better if he took his salary and donated it to one of the many NPO's working inside the disaster zone.
2

Vernie JefferiesNov. 18, 2011 - 05:47PM JST

If he gives up his salary, where will the money go?
1

CrickyNov. 18, 2011 - 05:54PM JST

Probably gets it as a lump sum after the year is up. It's only a gesture after all.
2

koiwaicoffeeNov. 18, 2011 - 06:11PM JST

1.3 million yen a month, Plus benefits I guess.

^^^^king hell.
3

The Munya TimesNov. 18, 2011 - 06:17PM JST

I have heavy responsibility as the head of this organization

Wouldn't it be more reasonable to take the responsibility for what they are doing before the disaster happens.

I am generally speaking and it refers to all execs whatever segments of our life we consider.

Recently it is very difficult to get high in a position without being extremely pushy and aggressive and shameless. Once they are in, they go ahead the same way and disregard all warning signs, warning from honest employees, clients' appeals, scientific or expert warning and forecasts and go ahead in frenzy until everything turns into rubbish, from companies to banks, everything. Then comes the mumble.

A few years ago a Japanese bureaucrat declared in public, " first everything must be damaged before favorable changes can come" O.K. who will be the next?
3

BurakuminDesNov. 18, 2011 - 06:47PM JST

What about Noda? The buck has to stop somewhere - will he give up his yearly salary? After all, he did hand pick Hosono personally as the man for the job.
-1

herefornowNov. 18, 2011 - 09:46PM JST

Time someone got pissed off and lost the famous stoicism that Japanese are so famous for in the face of crap happening al around them. Shoganai won't cut the mustard on this issue.

spud -- yup, scary indeed that this story is an microcosim of the "brain trust" that is managing the disaster and recovery and how they are dealing with it. But nothing will happen because Hosano has done the perfuctory bow, apology, and given himslef meaningless punishment. Process and ceremony will always trump results in Japan and why Fukushima will haunt Japan for decades.
0

HighLamaNov. 18, 2011 - 10:16PM JST

Publicity stunt.
0

cactusJackNov. 18, 2011 - 10:44PM JST

When they say "give up" it means that they will be paid in a lump sum at the end of the year.
4

choiwaruoyajiNov. 18, 2011 - 11:35PM JST

Dumping the soil in the neighbor's backyard sounds like the kind of thing I'd do...

Don't be harsh on the guy...
0

FoxieNov. 19, 2011 - 12:06AM JST

Why don't you give it to me Mr Hosono? I'll even cook you a nice dinner once and you even get to meet me.
0

Ranger_Miffy2Nov. 19, 2011 - 12:24AM JST

Send the soil to the Governor of Tokyo. That lunatic doesn't care.
0

PenistoneNov. 19, 2011 - 12:33AM JST

Please don't send any more radioactive packages to the ministry! lol...
0

FadamorNov. 19, 2011 - 12:35AM JST

The ministry said analysis of the soil showed radiation of 0.18 microsieverts per hour, about the same as soil in areas around Tokyo.

Too bad they didn't note the quantity of soil that was sent. "A small amount" is simply not accurate enough. Otherwise we would be better able to evaluate whether this soil was abnormally radioactive or contained just the usual amount of radioactivity that soil contains.
0

SerranoNov. 19, 2011 - 12:46AM JST

This is bad for all the businesses Hosono normally spends his salary on.
0

Vernie JefferiesNov. 19, 2011 - 12:49AM JST

As a bonus, maybe he should be next in line to drink the decontaminated water from Fukushima plant
1

SpeedNov. 19, 2011 - 01:54AM JST

The ministry said analysis of the soil showed radiation of 0.18 microsieverts per hour, about the same as soil in areas around Tokyo.

I'm with MaboDofuIsSpicy on this one. It was analyzed. They threw out dirt that had the same level of radiation as the dirt around them. Why should anyone get in trouble for any of this?
0

UtrackNov. 19, 2011 - 02:02AM JST

For the situation I think Hosono is taking it a bit to far. Those who did the deed were reprimanded case closed.
1

warnerbroNov. 19, 2011 - 02:12AM JST

Sending radioactive dirt to those in government and the power industry would be a noble act. They're leaving it up to untrained civilians to clean. In some countries, the government could make a charge of terrorism for doing so but Japan's government would then have to admit that it is dangerous. So it can do nothing if you send your radioactive dirt to it. How about sending it to Gov. Ishihara? He wants radioactive waste in Tokyo.
3

saru_auNov. 19, 2011 - 05:24AM JST

soldaveNov. 18, 2011 - 03:20PM JST

This guy's on $36,000... a month?!?!

nothing amazing there, politicians world wide are over paid
1

greendestinyNov. 19, 2011 - 07:19AM JST

I wish this guy was as adept at dealing with reality for the sake of the people as he is dealing with politics for the sake of the status quo.

This butthole is going to smell like a rose for going way over-kill on self-punishment for this rather meaningless issue.
0

ReformedBasherNov. 19, 2011 - 10:56PM JST

@Foxie

Hilarious!

Seriously I don't know what some of you guys want. I think he has done the right thing. Would you guys have the balls to do the same thing? How about just half your salary then? You can donate the rest like you all say he should do. Look forward to reading about your sincere and heroic actions in the paper. Until then, I'll just think you of you as a bunch of windbag losers until you prove me wrong.