The city of Naha, Okinawa, will cancel an event using snow from Aomori Prefecture amid concern that it might be tainted with radiation from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.
The 600 kg of snow carried to Naha from the Aomori town of Towada — roughly 350 km away from the crippled plant — was proved safe after Naha checked it for radiation, city officials said.
However, an anonymous caller pushed for the cancellation of the event slated for a children's hall Thursday, and the city met with residents Monday.
Around 20 mothers attended the meeting, half of whom are evacuees from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters last March, and many of them wanted the event canceled, according to the local authorities.
"The snow was found to be safe in checks and we are sorry for the children who waited for the snow, but we considered the worries of the evacuees," a city official said.
Another event scheduled for Friday in the city has also been canceled for the same reason, while some of the snow has already been distributed to three facilities, including a hospital, the officials said.