TN: How did you get interested in Rachel Carlson's works?
NK:
Though I've never met Carson in person, in a sense I've had two encounters with her. The first was through a 1955 translation of .The Sea Around Us. . . a bit later I encountered a
translation of Silent Spring. My father, who was an entomologist for the Ministry of Agriculture, recommended both books. With memories of food shortages from WWII and its
aftermath still vivid, Carson's concern for pesticide-free food struck me. Many Japanese at that time were anxious about finding enough food on their plates and didn't bother to reflect on
how pure it might be. However as I studied pharmacology more, the validity of Carson's apprehensions became clearer. On hindsight it seems we were naïve about the dangers of
some agricultural chemicals. A deeper appreciation of Carson developed when helping a professor translate Since Silent Spring. Gradually I came to see the beauty of her ideas and integrity of her character . . .
TN: Overall, would you say that the concern about environmental issues has grown since Silent Spring? Or is complacency more widespread?
NK:
Interest in ecology has certainly grown. For instance, most people are now aware of global warming. However, the gap between knowing what should be done and actually doing it remains wide. This is true not of ecology, but also women's rights. Lots of men can talk eloquently about women's rights, but when it's time to share the housework what happens?
TN: Lip service is so much easier than practice.
NK:
At any rate, most Japanese my age who went through poverty during WWII seem more willing to adopt simpler lifestyles than younger folks who grew up in relative luxury. To some degree, we're all creatures of habit. During the first oil shocks of the 1970s, panic was widespread as toilet paper and detergent ran out. Older Japanese tended to take this in stride since they'd already lived without such comforts.
TN: What sort of activities is the Japan Rachel Carson Council conducting?
NK:
Our activities are twofold: we seek disseminate the thoughts of Rachel Carson to the next generation, and also encourage people to adopt more ecological lifestyles. To these ends, we offer periodic educational programs for children in schools. We also hold regular meetings in which the works of Carson are discussed. Most of our members are elderly and over the last 20 years many have passed away. We've had difficulty attracting younger folks, but some in their 30s or 40s who read Carson's books get involved.
TN: Carson was concerned with disinformation by the chemical industry about the dangers of various toxic substances. Can you cite of any recent examples of this?
NK:
Unfortunately, there are many. For instance, until 1997 many asbestos makers maintained their material was safe. Before asbestos was banned in housing about a decade ago, industry reps asserted this substance should be used "cautiously", ignoring the early links between asbestos and cancer.
Moreover, the chemical manufacturer Ishihara Sangyo has a long history of cover-ups and illegal dumping. As recently as 2008 they were caught red-handed making unreported poisonous phosphene gas.
Food fraud is all too frequent. Generally this involves masking product contents or product origin. Nefarious examples include selling moldy rice with toxic organophosphates to food suppliers. Such rice is marked for industrial use and unfit for human consumption. Mikasa Foods has already admitted to distributing such rice to hospitals, schools, and homes for the elderly for over a decade.
There are many other examples I could mention. Mototani (2004) offers a succinct overview.
TN: How can such incidents be reduced?
NK:
For one thing, the government must insist that corporations take more responsibility for their actions. Moreover, exhaustive delay tactics used by many defendants avoid paying indemnities should not be permitted. Human lives are at stake and victims shouldn't have to wait for justice until they are in their graves.
The government also needs more stringent environmental planning. For example, over 400 people living near the Suginami Waste Transfer Station in Tokyo have reported strange headaches and hormonal imbalances as a consequence of the decaying garbage. Designing waste disposal facilities isn't easy, but it must be done without cutting corners or compromising safety.
TN: Carson was also concerned about women's rights and having more women in scientific careers. Can you tell us a little about the Rachel Carson prize and of any Asian women who have been especially active in ecological fields?
NK:
There are several Rachel Carson prizes, aren't there? With 60% of the world's population, Asia is too big to follow closely. I'm aware of only a few key figures in Japan. One noteworthy researcher is Reiko Watanuki of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. She's done some interesting research on how environmental stressors influence reproductive health. She's also documented the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Ukrainian children, and provided some relief efforts for the victims of that disaster.
Activists include Akiko Domoto, who started out as a TV director covering many feminist and environmental concerns. Now a prefectural governor, she's protected local wetlands and enacted a number of green policies. I suppose I should mention Yuriko Koike. She claims to support more alternative energy development, energy conservation, and preferential tax treatment for NPOs.
Speaking of NPOs, women are often in pivotal roles of many organizations that are dedicated to making our planet better. Unfortunately, their efforts are frequently thwarted by environmental neo-cons. The neo-con message boils down to this: ecological worries are simply a matter of ‘crying wolf'. In my view, such folks are misguided at best and they play directly into the hands of big business interests.
TN: What do you regard as Rachel Carson's most important idea?
NK: For one thing, she urged us to remember our civilization and science aren't almighty. Moreover, she emphasized the necessity of living in harmony with nature. We must be more humble about our existence and bear in mind our species is merely one part of the vast web of creation.
TN: What connection, if any, do you feel exists between militarism and environmental degradation?
NK:
War is the epitome of environmental destruction, not only in terms of damaging the surroundings, but also in terms of devastating human hearts. It's for such reasons that people concerned about environmental issues recognize the necessity of peace. Cycles of hatred, often fueled by long-standing ethnic and religious conflicts, not only poison the environment: they toxify our souls. How can we rise above such proclivities? There doesn't seem to be an easy way, but we must endeavor to be more flexible because the stakes are so high.
TN: Unless greater efforts are made towards tackling environmental problems, many have warned of serious
social and economic problems ahead. What future scenario do you envision based on current trends?
NK:
Well, civilization as we know it may collapse. That doesn't necessarily mean all humans will disappear, but many things we take for granted will cease. It's precisely for this reason that education is so important. We must become more cognizant of how our current actions impact future outcomes. Also, we must stay positive and reaffirm the importance of trust, love, and hope.
TN: All too often it seems that people commit to change as a last resort only after becoming keenly aware of the necessity of a given course of action. I wonder if the changes needed for civilized survival will be made up in time . . .
NK: Privately, I think many people are already aware of what changes are needed. Yet there's
a widespread feeling of powerlessness among ordinary citizens. That feeling must be overcome . . . and it seems we can't rely on political leaders for direction.
TN: You've translated many books by Rachel Carson. What aspect of her life impress you in particular?
NK:
Her fondness of nature and basic respect for life are noteworthy. I'm also attracted by her humility. She wasn't one to blow her own horn or be puffed up by her achievements. In many ways, she was an exemplar for women worldwide.
|
