The foot-and-mouth disease crisis that has ruined much of the livestock industry in Miyazaki Prefecture is akin to an apocalypse; or, at least, that's the feeling you get from the media coverage.
A pig farmer from Hyogo Prefecture, commiserating with fellow pig farmers in Miyazaki, told a TBS reporter, "If one piglet dies it's a tragedy; when they all have to die it's hell."
During a discussion of the issue on NHK radio, the announcer said the station had received calls and e-mails from listeners expressing sympathy toward the animals. He mentioned this to another pig farmer being interviewed on the show, who responded: "Yes, those animals are just like pets to us. Imagine if you had to watch your pets being killed every day."