(WEIRD!): Cultists Fearing Microwave Attack Whitewash Roadside in Japan</b>

Mainichi Shimbun (Japan) in English ^ | 29 April 2003 | Mainichi Shimbun Daily (in English)

[AmericanInTokyo]

(Japanese) Cultists Fearing Microwave Attack Whitewash Roadside

GIFU, Japan -- Some 40 members of a bizarre cult have taken over a 200-meter stretch of road in Gifu Prefecture, covering up crash barriers and roadside trees with huge white cloths, it was learned Tuesday.

Members of the 'Panawave' cult confront local residents in Gifu Prefecture.

Officials of Hachiman and Yamato, the two central Japan towns that manage the Omami road, have urged members of the Fukui-based cult, the "Panawave Laboratory," to move out but they have refused to comply.

"One of us fell ill while we were heading to Yamanashi Prefecture (so we can't move)," one of the cultists, who are dressed in all white and wear surgical masks, said as their reason for occupying the road since last Friday.

A fleet of 13 white vehicles is parked alongside the Omami road as of Saturday afternoon. Since then, motorists who want to drive along the occupied 200-meter stretch are being stopped by Panawave members before they are allowed to go through.

Hundreds of newsmen have gathered at the scene but the cultists, who claim to be studying environmental damage triggered by electromagnetic waves, would not let them through. Occasionally some television news crewmembers were violently pushed away by cult members who argue that their TV cameras were emitting microwaves.

Local residents are understandably concerned.

"You don't normally see many cars on this road. This lot is freaky. I want them to get out of here," a local farmer said. Some residents have put up signs that read, "Get out now!"

Cultist held a news conference Saturday after police calmed down both parties. "A senior member suffers from terminal cancer after she came under a microwave attack from communist guerrillas," a cult spokesman said. They added that they are wandering around Japan in search of a place without electric pylons, which emit electromagnetic waves and badly affect the woman's health.

Panawave was reportedly formed in the late 1970s and has an official membership of around 3,000, although the real number is believed to be considerably lower.

The group claims that electromagnetic waves are causing catastrophic environmental destruction, including a rise in temperature. The damages caused by the waves will ultimately result in the end of the earth, according to the cult.

They also allege that scalar wave attacks are being carried out by communist terrorists who have dispersed around the world following the break up of the Soviet Union.

Panawave members always wear white garments saying that they protect them from the ill-effects of electromagnetic waves. They have previously been in trouble with authorities for blocking traffic and covering road signs, signals and trees with white cloths.

The cult is also believed to be sponsoring a group that tried to net Tama-chan the bearded seal who lived in a Yokohama river in March.

The animal rights group, the Tama-chan wo Omou Kai (Consideration for Tama-chan Society), built a tiny pool in a mountainous village in Yamanashi Prefecture with the cult's money and reportedly planned to keep the seal until they could transfer it back to arctic seas. (Compiled from Mainichi and wire reports, April 29, 2003)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Gee, I hope they check these odd birds for carry/conceal of 'sarin'!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Since when did Japan become part of California?

[freedomson]

Don't these people know about the wonders of tinfoil?

[Cultural Jihad]

My consultancy fee must be paid in American dollars, though...

[AmericanInTokyo]

holy smokes!

[theDentist]

Tin-Foil Hat Alert!

[SquirrelKing]

Gaaaaahhhrrgg! Beat me to it! I was googling as you posted.

[Cultural Jihad]

... or that. ; )

[sushiman]

This country is full of whackos ...and that includes the police who are totally useless .

[Welsh Rabbit]

Tin offers no defense from microwave attacks. You need aluminum foil for that.

[freedomson]

Thanks, my ignorance may have put me at risk.

I'm headed to the hardware store now to buy about 100 gallons of white paint.

[lelio]

Foil might do the job here in the US, but in Japan its white clothing.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Maybe I should paint my tin foil turban white...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes, but of course, because EVERYONE KNOWS Japan is 'different' than the rest of the world or its many cultures, ('nihonjinron')

[cake_crumb]

How silly. EVERYONE knows that tinfoil is the only protection against microwave attack.

[lelio]

This must be related to the NTSC vs PAL tv signal standard. They use different microwave frequencies over there.

[knews_hound]

I love reading your posts!

Cheers,

knews hound

[aruanan]

The animal rights group, the Tama-chan wo Omou Kai (Consideration for Tama-chan Society), built a tiny pool in a mountainous village in Yamanashi Prefecture with the cult's money and reportedly planned to keep the seal until they could transfer it back to arctic seas. (Compiled from Mainichi and wire reports, April 29, 2003)

So, once again we see a link-up between a crackpot environmentalist technology-is-destroying-the-earth organization and an animal rights group.

[Mortimer Snavely]

Gifu ken is notorious for weirdoes. Beautiful area, though.

[Catspaw]