Regarding the June 11 Kyodo article "Shizuoka tells tea retailer to conceal radiation info": If confirmed as reported, this revelation has implications of almost incomprehensible magnitude.
Imagine the panic that could envelop Japan's population if local, prefectural or national government officials were widely suspected of facilitating coverups of excessive radiation affecting the nation's food supply. Then imagine the consequences to Japan's economy if much of the world refused to import Japanese-produced foodstuffs.
If confirmed, the actions of the Shizuoka Prefectural Government official should be considered an absolutely inexcusable violation of the public trust. To establish precedent as an example for other public officeholders, this official should be identified, publicly reprimanded, dismissed and permanently barred from future employment in the public sector.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.