KAWAMATA, Fukushima Prefecture--Twelve manga artists gave residents and evacuees near the crippled nuclear power plant something to smile about over the weekend.
KAWAMATA, Fukushima Prefecture--Twelve manga artists gave residents and evacuees near the crippled nuclear power plant something to smile about over the weekend.
About 2,000 people gathered for the chance to meet popular cartoonists, including Rieko Saibara, the creator of the "Mainichi Kasan" (Everyday Mom) series, and award-winning artist Naoki Urasawa, who penned the blockbuster "20 Seiki Shonen" (20th Century Boy).
The cartoonists visited a gymnasium that has taken in residents from the parts of Kawamata that are designated for evacuation, although outside the 20-km radius, no-entry zone around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Takumu Sato, 13, an evacuee, said he was a fan of the cartoon "Hajime no Ippo" (The First Step) and appeared elated to meet his hero, author Joji Morikawa, in person.
"I forgot about all the sad things that have happened," Sato said, holding up Morikawa's autograph.
Nobuyuki Fukumoto, creator of the manga "Kaiji" and the organizer of the event, made a point of signing his name with the message "Katte!" the Japanese word for "Win!"
"I thought it would be more encouraging than just saying 'ganbare' (hang in there)," Fukumoto said.
"Rather than sending relief supplies, what is needed now is people outside the disaster area consuming (local produce) and supporting the the affected area," said Saibara, adding that she herself buys vegetables online that were grown in Fukushima Prefecture.
"I was worried about how Fukushima was doing, but I was relieved to see that there was life as usual here. Seeing everyone so full of life, I think we were the ones who were given strength," Urasawa said.