Turkey's 'Paper Cranes' Sent by Japan... Even Considered a "Nuisance" Domestically

"Understanding the Heart but Helpless Amidst the Chaos"

Warm gestures from the international community continue to reach T?rkiye (Turkey) and Syria, which suffered damage from the earthquake. Amid this, in Japan, there is a movement to fold and send paper cranes to comfort the two countries, but voices within the country are urging against this.

Criticism in Japan as well: "Paper cranes are difficult to handle"

[Image source=Getty Images Bank]

On the 13th (local time), the Japanese news program 'ABEMA Prime' invited disaster relief experts to discuss what kind of aid supplies would be best to send to T?rkiye.

Mototaka Inaba, a doctor working with the Japanese non-profit organization 'Peace Winds Japan,' which dispatches disaster emergency relief teams to T?rkiye, said, "Sending money is the best option."

He especially pointed out, "There are times when supplies need to be sent depending on the situation. While 1,000 paper cranes might help stabilize the mind and body after the situation has somewhat stabilized, sending 1,000 paper cranes at this time, when there is no bread or water, is difficult to handle."

Controversy over 'sending paper cranes' even in war-torn Ukraine

On the afternoon of the 10th, relief supplies for the Turkey earthquake gathered from all over the country are piled up in vehicles at a logistics center in Yeongjongdo, Incheon.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In Japan, paper cranes symbolize peace and well-being. In particular, 1,000 paper cranes represent 'long life without illness' and 'recovery from sickness.' Even today in Japan, when visiting the sick, people make and gift 'Senbazuru,' which is 1,000 paper cranes strung together. Relatedly, in the past, Japan has often folded and sent paper cranes to areas affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rains. This is because it is believed that paper cranes bring good luck and hasten the recovery of the sick.

However, public opinion within Japan regarding the 'sending paper cranes movement' is not favorable. In April last year, Japan also faced controversy for attempting to send paper cranes to Ukraine, which is at war. At that time, about 40 members of a disability employment support center in Saitama Prefecture folded 4,200 paper cranes to cheer for Ukrainians. They folded paper cranes in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, blue and yellow, and tried to deliver them to the Ukrainian Embassy, but even then, there were many criticisms that it was a nuisance.

Meanwhile, recently, the Embassy of T?rkiye in South Korea announced on Twitter that "used goods are not accepted." This is because if used items are sent to the local area where the healthcare system has collapsed due to the earthquake, hygiene problems caused by mold or bacteria may occur.

The embassy stated, "Many people have lost their homes, and in the disaster areas where children and women are staying, there is not only a lack of tents to rest in but also a shortage of basic living supplies such as clothes to wear," adding, "We are working with Turkish Airlines to quickly deliver the items sent to those in need." According to the embassy, the items currently needed in the earthquake-affected areas of T?rkiye are ▲winter relief tents ▲blankets ▲electric heaters ▲sleeping bags ▲shelter containers, etc.