If Yuzuru Hanyu genuinely wants to serve the people of Tohoku, he should bring their challenges before the eyes of the world and demand that Japan's government stop ignoring the disaster-struck region

He is an ice skater - why should he do this? Pesek sometimes makes sense but more often writes real nonsense.

He's a skater - let him skate. Keep politics out of sport.

because he's from tohoku and wants to help and pesek's suggestion is probably a good one but very difficult to implement as there will be a lot pressure not to make waves.

Well, perhaps now that it's off season, he can get some TV crews to follow him around on a tour of Tohoku coast for a week.

But yes, as others have posted, he's a skater. Please don't expect that that qualifies or obliges him to be a disaster specialist, regional ambassador, or tour guide.

Did anyone watch his press conference after he won the gold medal? Tohoku is one of the first things he mentioned.

Hanyu opened the door to this. So was he saying he wanted to help Tohoku by using his notoriety because he was being genuine or because it sounds good as a sound bite? Many celebrities say things because they sound good and I think the criticism here is that he shouldn't have spoken so quickly because some people may believe he just wants to sound good. He seems like a good kid, but I don't think he was/is planning to actually start an NPO or start criticizing anyone in order to get it done. I'm sure he's being genuine in that he wants to help them, but was/is he going to put his words into action?

Yep. Probably thought he would get some positive PR with his comment without getting called on it.

If Pesek wants it done, he should try and do it himself. Pretty nervy to ask someone else to be a mouthpiece for his ideas.

Star-V - he wasn't asking anyone to be his mouthpiece.

As has been stated Hanyu said to the effect, that his victory is for the suffering people of Tohoku.

Some have suggested that "Famous People" should use their positons of influence to get direct and assertive action esp from govts in order to help those in need.

A well intended spiritually uplifting comment's positive frame will soon break down and the lives of the recipients of such, will soon return to the incredible toil and hardships of deprivation, despair and uncertainty.

Browny1,

You should read the full article, it's over on the Japan Times - where most of Pesek's ranty stuff is. There is little measured about it - he wants Hanyu to stand in front of the hospitals full of sick Fukushima residents crying for people to help them.

Star - thank you.

I just read the article. Please forgive me, but I can't find any requests for Hanyu to cry for help in front of hospitals for the sick people of Fukushima. A reference is made when mentioning the media moguls - CNN, BBC, NHK and the like - to do mmore.

And as opinionated as Pesek can be, this time he hits a raw nerve for many. Droll as it may well be - Actions speak louder than words.

Wide show hosts sipping tea with the dispossessed, shedding on camera tears, generating great sympathy yet doing nothing of real substance to alleviate the plight of the victim.

Those with voice have a responsibility to confront the powers to be (govt authorities, major industries, tepco etc) and commit them to large scale comprehensive restructuring plans. Now!

Phfffing on about how 2020 olympics - et al - will help the people of Tohoku is disengenuous in the least.

And I admire Hanyu as a great achiever in his field and believe his heart is in the right place.

I was referring to the part where he puts these words in Hanyu's mouth:

"behind me is a hospital kept quite busy by the victims of Fukushima."

Perhaps not crying out, but a similar sentiment.