Edano rides to the rescue of Fukushima's farmers

First we had him in the role of humble Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, then the March 11 crisis transformed a mere politician into Japan’s unofficial head-busting Jack Bauer, and now we get to enjoy Yukio Edano back in his civvies, chowing down on farm-fresh produce live on stage.

The food-based routine was actually a double act, together with Japanese comedian Shizu-chan, in aid of farmers in Fukushima Prefecture who are suffering lost sales amid the ongoing crisis at the Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Cucumbers too

Visiting Iwaki, a market town in the troubled region, on Tuesday Edano proved how non-radioactive local tomatoes are, while his female counterpart gobbled a cucumber or two to the same effect.

So far, the stunt hasn’t drawn the criticism attached to the recent effort by Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara to do the same for the city’s water supply, but it’s always possible restrictions on some shipments from Fukushima have already rendered the debate moot.

Either way, the focus of most residents of the area, as well as the capital, is far more likely to be on the news today that the Daiichi incident has officially been upgraded to a 7 on the International Nuclear Event Scale -- the same mark as Chernobyl hit in 1986.