Although caesium cesium is not an element composing living bodies, once it is taken into the body it exhibits the same behavior as potassium, also an alkaline metal. Therefore, in order to understand the contamination/de-contamination mechanisms of radioactive caesium cesium in fish, there is a need to fully understand the metabolic mechanism of potassium. Making use of the latest scientific knowledge, this article introduces the mechanisms involved in the intake and emission of radioactive cesium by fish.

Otsuki Town in Kochi Prefecture, where we live, is blessed by the abundance of nature and wonderful people, making it a place where children can thrive. However, as local industry wanes, the birthrate declines, and the population ages, even Otsuki Elementary School expects to see a decline of 100 pupils by 2019, ten years after the 2009 consolidation. In order to break through this critical impasse, the school, families, region, and government must work together to create a new vision for Otsuki Town.

Not a few countries around the world are facing the crisis of the exhaustion of fishing resources in their ocean areas and inland seas due to illegal fishing and overfishing. Japan's fisheries management and breeding technologies are widely acknowledged to be among the world's best. I believe that we should be more active in contributing to international society by making wider use of these strong suits. Taking Southeast Asia as an example, in this article I think about what Japan could do for the conservation of fisheries.