Kashiwa City purchased 1,500 Geiger counters 2 months ago and announced that they would come to your home and make their readings, if you applied.
Of course, I applied. They told me at the time that it would not be possible to come till the new year, but they came today, December 13, 2011! Two very nice young men. The readings are done at two levels, touching the ground (0 meters) and at 1 meter.
Here are the readings in micro sieverts per hour:
Main rain Drain at 1 meter 0.22
at 0 meters 0.37
Middle of Deck at 1 meter 0.20
at 0 meters 0.39
On the ground in front of the deck at 1 meter 0.25
at 0 meters 0.45
Under the large plum tree at 1 meter 0.25
at 0 meters 0.44
Our Living room at 1 meter 0.125
at 0 meters 0.095
Our Bed room at 1 meter 0.145
at 0 meters 0.13
2nd floor veranda near rain drain at 1 meter 0.166
at 0 meters 0.171
Front door area at 1 meter 0.15
at 0 meters 0.15
Garage at 0 meters 0.010
Ground near front door at 0 meters 0.010
Basically, they said our area was low in radiation compared to other places.
I believe they said that staying outdoors at a 0.25 micro sievert level for 8 hours and then going inside would result in a 1 milli sievert level of radiation. This is considered safe.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Kashiwa Hot Spot News
Yes, we have a hot spot and maybe more. But the city has also done some
checking around parks and kindergartens about 1 month ago and the
readings were MUCH lower. Something like 0.3 or 0.4. Which is about
2.0 millisieverts a year.
This hot spot that you saw on the news was caused by the concentration
of rain drain off of the many many houses above on the hill. Their
roofs would have collected some radiation and then when it rains, that
radiation gets in the down spouts and into the drains. This drain
where they found the high concentration was located at the bottom of a
hill and was
broken so that the water leaked out into a one yard by one yard area.
It is being cleaned up.
The dirt will be removed and the drain fixed. And I suppose it will be
watched it see if more collects there. We have been warned that their
are other places like this in our area.
This particular hot spot in NOT near me, it must be about 5 miles
away. BUT, I live at the bottom of a small hill. Every one's rain
spout goes directly into a downspout and then into those drains by the
side of the road. Ours are covered except for a "cleaning" grate near
my house. Now, I bet if I took a reading near that open grate, it
would be very high. One good thing, the city water people have been
doing work to change the water pipes on my street. I am hoping that
this activity and their constant use of water will have reduced the
amount of radiation that has collected. But who knows. The city of
Kashiwa is going to buy 1,500 Geiger counters and use them to check
all drains (which are city property) and then lend them out to us to
check our own land. Also, my street will be repaved, which is good as
this will further reduce the amount of radiation laying around.
I am also concerned about my yard. Not that radiation will collect and
concentrate, but after the March 23rd rain that brought the radiation
in the first place, I have tried not to use the yard much. I think I
would have the same concentrations at the kindergartens but it needs
to be checked. Takao does not want me to work in the yard till we get
it settled.
They also found a very high hot spot in Tokyo but it turned out to be
some radiation from an X-ray machine or something that some one had
thrown away years ago and had been laying there all this time!!!!
Goodness!
Here is an article about the Kashiwa hot spot subject from the Japan
Times Newspaper::
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011
Kashiwa's hot spot just one of many to come, expert says
By MIZUHO AOKI
Staff writer
The hot spot discovered in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, has local
residents alarmed now that the science ministry has confirmed the
source of the radiation is probably fallout from the Fukushima No. 1
power plant.
But another radiation expert warns that there are more hot spots to come.
Masahiro Fukushi warned citizens Monday that more hot spots can be
found where rainwater accumulates, like near the ditch in Kashiwa, and
urged them to go out and take readings of such places in their
neighborhoods on their own, instead of waiting around for the
government's plodding surveys.
Contamination in much of Kashiwa is far higher than other parts of the
Tokyo metropolitan area, so the mini hot spot really wasn't much of a
surprise, said Fukushi, a professor of radiation science at Tokyo
Metropolitan University.
"If the (cesium) detected was 100 times higher than the amount
measured by the science ministry, then it'd be strange. But in this
case, it's just four or five times, so you should not be surprised,"
Fukushi said.
According to the science ministry, it is highly likely that cesium in
rainwater condensed in the soil after leaking with it from the broken
ditch.
The soil at the hot spot had a high 276,000 becquerels of cesium per
kilogram, the Kashiwa Municipal Government said. This is four to five
times higher than the level surrounding the hot spot and many other
places in Kashiwa, he said. The condensation process will allow this
level to be attained in any place where rainwater accumulates in a
limited area, Fukushi said.
Typical examples are side ditches, openings near downspouts and soil
under evergreen trees, Fukushi warned.
"As we now have the knowledge of where we can find hot spots, such as
areas under downspouts, we should work together to monitor such
places," he said. "I think this is where citizen volunteer efforts
must come into play."
Fukushi also said that Kashiwa's residents should not worry too much
about the hot spot. The highest radiation reading at the site was 15
microsieverts per hour, which is unlikely to harm anyone because most
people will be unlikely to stand around the site for extended periods,
Fukushi said.
"Even if a person walked through the site on every day (since March
11), the total exposure dose should not be a cause for fear," said
Fukushi, who visited the hot spot last week.
According to Fukushi, residents in Tokyo, west of Kashiwa, should be
less worried about hot spots because the contamination levels in Tokyo
are much lower.
For example, one hot spot was found at the end of a downspout at an
elementary school in Adachi Ward, but the reading was only 3.99
microsieverts per hour.
According to aerial monitoring surveys conducted by the science
ministry since September, some areas in Kashiwa contain 60,000 to
100,000 becquerels per kilogram of radioactive cesium.
The highest exposure level recorded in the aerial survey was between
0.2 to 0.5 microsieverts per hour.
checking around parks and kindergartens about 1 month ago and the
readings were MUCH lower. Something like 0.3 or 0.4. Which is about
2.0 millisieverts a year.
This hot spot that you saw on the news was caused by the concentration
of rain drain off of the many many houses above on the hill. Their
roofs would have collected some radiation and then when it rains, that
radiation gets in the down spouts and into the drains. This drain
where they found the high concentration was located at the bottom of a
hill and was
broken so that the water leaked out into a one yard by one yard area.
It is being cleaned up.
The dirt will be removed and the drain fixed. And I suppose it will be
watched it see if more collects there. We have been warned that their
are other places like this in our area.
This particular hot spot in NOT near me, it must be about 5 miles
away. BUT, I live at the bottom of a small hill. Every one's rain
spout goes directly into a downspout and then into those drains by the
side of the road. Ours are covered except for a "cleaning" grate near
my house. Now, I bet if I took a reading near that open grate, it
would be very high. One good thing, the city water people have been
doing work to change the water pipes on my street. I am hoping that
this activity and their constant use of water will have reduced the
amount of radiation that has collected. But who knows. The city of
Kashiwa is going to buy 1,500 Geiger counters and use them to check
all drains (which are city property) and then lend them out to us to
check our own land. Also, my street will be repaved, which is good as
this will further reduce the amount of radiation laying around.
I am also concerned about my yard. Not that radiation will collect and
concentrate, but after the March 23rd rain that brought the radiation
in the first place, I have tried not to use the yard much. I think I
would have the same concentrations at the kindergartens but it needs
to be checked. Takao does not want me to work in the yard till we get
it settled.
They also found a very high hot spot in Tokyo but it turned out to be
some radiation from an X-ray machine or something that some one had
thrown away years ago and had been laying there all this time!!!!
Goodness!
Here is an article about the Kashiwa hot spot subject from the Japan
Times Newspaper::
Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011
Kashiwa's hot spot just one of many to come, expert says
By MIZUHO AOKI
Staff writer
The hot spot discovered in Kashiwa, Chiba Prefecture, has local
residents alarmed now that the science ministry has confirmed the
source of the radiation is probably fallout from the Fukushima No. 1
power plant.
But another radiation expert warns that there are more hot spots to come.
Masahiro Fukushi warned citizens Monday that more hot spots can be
found where rainwater accumulates, like near the ditch in Kashiwa, and
urged them to go out and take readings of such places in their
neighborhoods on their own, instead of waiting around for the
government's plodding surveys.
Contamination in much of Kashiwa is far higher than other parts of the
Tokyo metropolitan area, so the mini hot spot really wasn't much of a
surprise, said Fukushi, a professor of radiation science at Tokyo
Metropolitan University.
"If the (cesium) detected was 100 times higher than the amount
measured by the science ministry, then it'd be strange. But in this
case, it's just four or five times, so you should not be surprised,"
Fukushi said.
According to the science ministry, it is highly likely that cesium in
rainwater condensed in the soil after leaking with it from the broken
ditch.
The soil at the hot spot had a high 276,000 becquerels of cesium per
kilogram, the Kashiwa Municipal Government said. This is four to five
times higher than the level surrounding the hot spot and many other
places in Kashiwa, he said. The condensation process will allow this
level to be attained in any place where rainwater accumulates in a
limited area, Fukushi said.
Typical examples are side ditches, openings near downspouts and soil
under evergreen trees, Fukushi warned.
"As we now have the knowledge of where we can find hot spots, such as
areas under downspouts, we should work together to monitor such
places," he said. "I think this is where citizen volunteer efforts
must come into play."
Fukushi also said that Kashiwa's residents should not worry too much
about the hot spot. The highest radiation reading at the site was 15
microsieverts per hour, which is unlikely to harm anyone because most
people will be unlikely to stand around the site for extended periods,
Fukushi said.
"Even if a person walked through the site on every day (since March
11), the total exposure dose should not be a cause for fear," said
Fukushi, who visited the hot spot last week.
According to Fukushi, residents in Tokyo, west of Kashiwa, should be
less worried about hot spots because the contamination levels in Tokyo
are much lower.
For example, one hot spot was found at the end of a downspout at an
elementary school in Adachi Ward, but the reading was only 3.99
microsieverts per hour.
According to aerial monitoring surveys conducted by the science
ministry since September, some areas in Kashiwa contain 60,000 to
100,000 becquerels per kilogram of radioactive cesium.
The highest exposure level recorded in the aerial survey was between
0.2 to 0.5 microsieverts per hour.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Song for Endo Miki
A song has been written for Endo Miki. You can listen to it at:
Song for Miki
You can also read the explanation about how the song came about at the bottom of this post, in the comments section:
About the Song for Miki
Just a word of explanation, in Japan, the family name comes first, then the personal name. So, in this case, Endo is her family name or "last name" and Miki would be her "first name".
Song for Miki
You can also read the explanation about how the song came about at the bottom of this post, in the comments section:
About the Song for Miki
Just a word of explanation, in Japan, the family name comes first, then the personal name. So, in this case, Endo is her family name or "last name" and Miki would be her "first name".
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Toshiso Kosako Resigns
Toshiso Kosako, a expert on radiation safety measures at Tokyo University, has resigned as an expert adviser to the Japanese government, May 1st. He took issue with the government set standards for children in the effected areas in Fukushima, children who may be affected by radiation in the coming year or longer. It is a shocking development for the government which will now have to defend the standards they have set against mounting pressure from local groups and international groups.
Kan nuclear adviser fed up, quits
Kan nuclear adviser fed up, quits
Press has Cosy Relationship with Tepco
Press clubs often have a cosy relationship with the person or company that they are covering. And that seems to be true of the relationship that Tepco has with reporters assigned to cover it. It seems to be harder for them to cover the story fairly. They sometimes "forget" to ask the hard and difficult questions that they should be asking, especially about the true extent of radiation pollution.
This Japan Times article is revealing.
Tight-lipped Tepco lays bare exclusivity of press clubs
This Japan Times article is revealing.
Tight-lipped Tepco lays bare exclusivity of press clubs
Endo Miki has been found
I am sad to say that they have found Endo Miki's body. You may remember that she was the young woman who stayed at her post broadcasting the warning to her town to escape to higher ground because a tsunami was coming. The tsunami, completely engulfed the 3 story building she was in.
Evidently, they had found her body earlier, but it was just recently found to be her, though DNA testing. Her mother and father said that they were happy that they could now "take her home." She had just gotten married some months before. It is too sad to think about.
Endo Miki - 1
Endo Miki - 2
Evidently, they had found her body earlier, but it was just recently found to be her, though DNA testing. Her mother and father said that they were happy that they could now "take her home." She had just gotten married some months before. It is too sad to think about.
Endo Miki - 1
Endo Miki - 2
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Terrible Five Minutes
A friend sent me this video of a terrible last 5 minutes in a town's life.
Even if you do not understand Japanese, you can hear the mounting terror and unbelieving shouts as the tsunami rolls over their homes and other buildings. The wave picks them up like toys and you can see the floating houses being pushed over an embankment and pushed into rice fields like little Lego blocks in the bath tub. You can clearly see the distant waves up to three and four stories high.
And at the end, a few people running for their lives, trying to get up the hill. You can hear those on the hill shouting for everyone to GO HIGHER.... and screams in the distance.
So sad....
Even if you do not understand Japanese, you can hear the mounting terror and unbelieving shouts as the tsunami rolls over their homes and other buildings. The wave picks them up like toys and you can see the floating houses being pushed over an embankment and pushed into rice fields like little Lego blocks in the bath tub. You can clearly see the distant waves up to three and four stories high.
And at the end, a few people running for their lives, trying to get up the hill. You can hear those on the hill shouting for everyone to GO HIGHER.... and screams in the distance.
So sad....
Reporter Saved
On the day of the earthquake and tsunami, Toyo Chiba was caught up by the tsunami and barely made it out alive in Kamaichi, Iwate Pref. Only a few seconds lapsed between the 4 photos.
But weeks later, I saw on TV that he came back again looking for the camera that you can see him clearly holding. He said that the wave ripped the camera from his hands. The TV crew follows him around for a while as he looks for his camera....
.....and by gosh, he finds it, not too far from where he dropped it. It is all rusty. I wonder if he can get it cleaned up!
Read this Japan Times story for the details of that day.
But weeks later, I saw on TV that he came back again looking for the camera that you can see him clearly holding. He said that the wave ripped the camera from his hands. The TV crew follows him around for a while as he looks for his camera....
.....and by gosh, he finds it, not too far from where he dropped it. It is all rusty. I wonder if he can get it cleaned up!
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Aftermath
The Death Toll
It looks like most people who died in the March 11th earthquake, did so from the tsunami. The newspapers are saying that 93% of the confirmed dead drowned. And of that number, 65% were over 60 or older. That is 12,143 of the confirmed dead out of 13,135 people were killed by the tsunami. But the actual numbers will be much higher as the number of the missing is also about 11,000 or so. I am sure that most of these poor people were swept out to sea when the waves receded.
Divers and others, cleaning up the ports, are finding cars at the bottom of the sea. Whole houses and roof tops are still seen floating and the rocky areas along some shores are just piles of broken houses.
You can read this Japan Times story for more details.
The Animals of the Fukushima Disaster
The people who lived near the nuclear plant, within 20 kilometers, were asked to leave for their own health and safety. Many had to just get on a bus with the clothes on their backs and no more.
Recently, that became an order when the Japanese government changed its ruling. Many of these people were farmers, with animals, cows, pigs, chickens to care for. It seems that many of these people just left their animals to fend for themselves. Some let their cows out of their pens and they can now been seen roaming around eating the grass. But others just left them. Some, come back everyday to feed their animals and some have stayed with them to protect them. What is really sad is that those who are trying hard to find homes for their animals often can not find anyone to take them.
I have seen video of calves --dead and dying and some living. Animal groups are bringing food and water. Most of the chickens are dead already. And maybe the pigs too. The cattle and horses are another story. One farmer, who goes every third day to feed his animals, said that they shake with fear, such is the stress they are under.
Recently the Japanese government said that with the agreement of the owner, they will start euthanizing those animals that are still alive.
Oh, they are so slow to make their plans. Why didn't someone take action sooner?
It looks like most people who died in the March 11th earthquake, did so from the tsunami. The newspapers are saying that 93% of the confirmed dead drowned. And of that number, 65% were over 60 or older. That is 12,143 of the confirmed dead out of 13,135 people were killed by the tsunami. But the actual numbers will be much higher as the number of the missing is also about 11,000 or so. I am sure that most of these poor people were swept out to sea when the waves receded.
Divers and others, cleaning up the ports, are finding cars at the bottom of the sea. Whole houses and roof tops are still seen floating and the rocky areas along some shores are just piles of broken houses.
You can read this Japan Times story for more details.
The Animals of the Fukushima Disaster
The people who lived near the nuclear plant, within 20 kilometers, were asked to leave for their own health and safety. Many had to just get on a bus with the clothes on their backs and no more.
Recently, that became an order when the Japanese government changed its ruling. Many of these people were farmers, with animals, cows, pigs, chickens to care for. It seems that many of these people just left their animals to fend for themselves. Some let their cows out of their pens and they can now been seen roaming around eating the grass. But others just left them. Some, come back everyday to feed their animals and some have stayed with them to protect them. What is really sad is that those who are trying hard to find homes for their animals often can not find anyone to take them.
I have seen video of calves --dead and dying and some living. Animal groups are bringing food and water. Most of the chickens are dead already. And maybe the pigs too. The cattle and horses are another story. One farmer, who goes every third day to feed his animals, said that they shake with fear, such is the stress they are under.
Recently the Japanese government said that with the agreement of the owner, they will start euthanizing those animals that are still alive.
Oh, they are so slow to make their plans. Why didn't someone take action sooner?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Prime Minister Kan and Vice President of Tepco
Some background stories about what happened in the early hours after the quake and tsunami at the highest levels of government are starting to appear.
The Office of the Prime Minister had been trying to speed up the first venting action to be taken by Tepco just after the earthquake and tsunami hit the Tepco Reactors in Fukushima. But, for some reason, Tepco kept saying that they could not get the electrical lines back in power and that they were working on it. Urgent messages were evidently sent back and forth to no avail. The Prime Minister's office was ordering Tepco to get it done at any cost and in any way.
At one point, Prime Minister Kan went to Tepco's head office and ordered them to start the venting, in order to avoid a hydrogen explosion. He felt that his orders were ignored and his cabinet then had to pass an urgent piece of legislation that ORDERED Tepco to comply. That is when Tepco finally started the venting process manually.
But it was too late, the first hydrogen explosion happened 12 hours later.
The Office of the Prime Minister had been trying to speed up the first venting action to be taken by Tepco just after the earthquake and tsunami hit the Tepco Reactors in Fukushima. But, for some reason, Tepco kept saying that they could not get the electrical lines back in power and that they were working on it. Urgent messages were evidently sent back and forth to no avail. The Prime Minister's office was ordering Tepco to get it done at any cost and in any way.
At one point, Prime Minister Kan went to Tepco's head office and ordered them to start the venting, in order to avoid a hydrogen explosion. He felt that his orders were ignored and his cabinet then had to pass an urgent piece of legislation that ORDERED Tepco to comply. That is when Tepco finally started the venting process manually.
But it was too late, the first hydrogen explosion happened 12 hours later.
Ookawa Elementary School
You will recall that 70% to 80% of the students at this school are believed to have died in the tsunami that followed the quake.
More details are coming forth about exactly what happened on that March 11th day, at just about the end of the school day,.... when all the children were getting ready to go home,... and those details are so sad and almost unbearable to think about.
The school is.... was.... a few kilometers from the ocean, but it was rather close to a large river. They were all getting ready to go home for the day, when the earthquake hit at 2:48 or so.... they did as they were always trained to do, everybody lined up and went outside. Students and teachers alike. Only one teacher from that day, who was at work, survived.
There is a large HILL just behind the school, the Japanese call a hill like that a YAMA, or a mountain, but it is not really a mountain, more like a steep, steep hill with bushes and trees growing on it. Some teachers thought the children should climb the hill but some thought it would be too hard for the little ones. So, instead of climbing the hill and living - because the tsunami did not make to the top of the hill - they decided to head for a high point RIGHT NEXT to the RIVER, of all places.
One of supports that holds up the bridge near the school is very high and I suppose the teachers though that all the students could safely wait there.
The tsunami hit them -- a 25 foot tall wall of water -- as they were running the long distance to that high place. The only teacher to survive that day is the one teacher who took his students up the hill and also, those who were absent that day....
You can see the map here where the school is and in satellite view, you can see the ruined school.
More details are coming forth about exactly what happened on that March 11th day, at just about the end of the school day,.... when all the children were getting ready to go home,... and those details are so sad and almost unbearable to think about.
The school is.... was.... a few kilometers from the ocean, but it was rather close to a large river. They were all getting ready to go home for the day, when the earthquake hit at 2:48 or so.... they did as they were always trained to do, everybody lined up and went outside. Students and teachers alike. Only one teacher from that day, who was at work, survived.
There is a large HILL just behind the school, the Japanese call a hill like that a YAMA, or a mountain, but it is not really a mountain, more like a steep, steep hill with bushes and trees growing on it. Some teachers thought the children should climb the hill but some thought it would be too hard for the little ones. So, instead of climbing the hill and living - because the tsunami did not make to the top of the hill - they decided to head for a high point RIGHT NEXT to the RIVER, of all places.
One of supports that holds up the bridge near the school is very high and I suppose the teachers though that all the students could safely wait there.
The tsunami hit them -- a 25 foot tall wall of water -- as they were running the long distance to that high place. The only teacher to survive that day is the one teacher who took his students up the hill and also, those who were absent that day....
You can see the map here where the school is and in satellite view, you can see the ruined school.
Many Highways Repaired in Days or Just Weeks
Many of the roads in the north, that were ruined by the quake have been fixed in just a few days.
Here are some photos:
The highway was repaired in 6 days and opened for traffic on March 23rd or 24th.
Here are some photos:
 |
| Soon after the quake - already a worker is checking it out |
 |
| All fixed! |
The highway was repaired in 6 days and opened for traffic on March 23rd or 24th.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
The Food Chain
I really wish I could find a good source of information that was in print online or where ever. I keep getting bits and pieces from experts on TV, but I can't write down the words fast enough.
Today, there was an expert on radiation and food, talking about radiation in the ocean and fish. He said that the problem with radioactive iodine would go away quickly because of the 8 day half life. The problem with radioactive cesium was a different matter. All of the reporters asked him about:
But the doctor/expert on today's panel said that radioactive cesium behaves in a different way in the body. He said that the big fish eating the little fish and thus concentrating the cesium does not really apply. Much (he did not say how much) of the cesium would be excreted as waste by the fish. (And I have heard, elsewhere, by humans too - one food/radiation expert said that 80% to 90% would be excreted as waste by humans if consumed). Also, any cesium that is taken in by the body would concentrate in the muscles and there is no cancer of the muscles. His contention was that concentration in the food chain was not an issue....
There was also a govt. minister on the panel and one of the reporters wanted "certificates" at the fish shops, for example, saying that the fish was tested and safe to eat. But her contention was that contaminated food, fish or vegetable, would be stopped at the source and never put in the food network in the first place and that we could all rest assured that anything being sold was safe to eat. She was not really in favor of "certificates".
Today, there was an expert on radiation and food, talking about radiation in the ocean and fish. He said that the problem with radioactive iodine would go away quickly because of the 8 day half life. The problem with radioactive cesium was a different matter. All of the reporters asked him about:
- the long half life of 30 years and
- the food chain where big fish eat the little fish and concentrate the contaminant.
But the doctor/expert on today's panel said that radioactive cesium behaves in a different way in the body. He said that the big fish eating the little fish and thus concentrating the cesium does not really apply. Much (he did not say how much) of the cesium would be excreted as waste by the fish. (And I have heard, elsewhere, by humans too - one food/radiation expert said that 80% to 90% would be excreted as waste by humans if consumed). Also, any cesium that is taken in by the body would concentrate in the muscles and there is no cancer of the muscles. His contention was that concentration in the food chain was not an issue....
There was also a govt. minister on the panel and one of the reporters wanted "certificates" at the fish shops, for example, saying that the fish was tested and safe to eat. But her contention was that contaminated food, fish or vegetable, would be stopped at the source and never put in the food network in the first place and that we could all rest assured that anything being sold was safe to eat. She was not really in favor of "certificates".
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The Earth Moved
Experts are already out in the ocean trying to figure out exactly where the quake was centered and what happened exactly.
Plywood is in Short Supply
Temporary Housing
25% of the plywood used in Japan is made in Tohoku, in the area where the earthquake happened. Suddenly plywood is in great demand! The whole construction industry is going into panic buying mode, each company buying up as much plywood as they can get their hands on. Without plywood, they can not finish the houses they are working on. The govt. is talking about quickly importing as much as they can get.
After the Kobe Quake, 16 years ago, it took 7 months to build all the temporary housing needed by the people who lost their homes. This came under a great deal of criticism. Soon after this quake, the govt. said that they wanted more than 30,000 temp. homes built within two months. In one small town, 36 temp. homes are ready. Yesterday they had a drawing. 18 of the tiny homes are for the elderly and 18 for the rest. There were 58 times more people applying for those 18 units!!
There are many problems with building the temp. homes. Finding enough flat land in each area that was not damaged by the tsunami is turning out to be a difficult task. Tohoku is very mountainous with little flat land except around the sea and port areas. Also, a plywood factory up north had all of its machines ruined. Their logs drifted all over the place in the tsunami. Workers with cranes are out in the debris, collecting as much as they can find. Many construction companies in Tohoku, first up to get these jobs, are finding that they have lost their tools as well, making it even more difficult if not impossible.
Life Lines
As of two days ago, the following services are up and running:
Supply Lines
Supermarkets are opening up for business again. Many Aeon branches (a huge supermarket chain found though out Japan) in the Tohoku area served as a refugee centers because of their huge available space. They are now ready to open for business again. The moment the quake hit, the company set up a earthquake/disaster committee in Tokyo to deal with the needs of those suffering and to get the right products in place for those in need. Many of the local store managers started giving away food immediately after the quake without waiting for word from the head office and were praised for doing so later by management. In one store, the manage gave away 2500 onigiri, rice balls, which the Japanese like to eat for a light meal. He gave away all the instant noodles and anything else that the people needed. He sleeps next to his desk and is first up in the early hours of the morning out taking care of the people still living in the store's plaza area.
Things like yogurt and natto (fermented beads) are in short supply. Not because milk or beans are not available. For example, with the blackouts that were happening last week, the yogurt makers did not have enough time to make the yogurt before the lights went out. They were afraid of the yogurt going bad. The natto makers had a different problem. The plastic sheeting used to cover the packages was in short supply and Japanese law says that all products must HAVE labels and expiry dates clearly listed. So the manufactures could not make anything for sale. But don't worry, they continued to make the natto (a very nutritional soy bean product) and sent all the packages up north to the quake hit areas as food. This was allowed by the Health Ministry!!
Bottled water is very hard to buy. Demand outstrips supply by 8 times. The govt. is thinking of importing lots of water. I haven't seen ONE bottle of water is a long time. Homes in the Kanto area around Tokyo can't be finished because plywood is in short supply as well as things like kitchens which are made in Tohoku.
The biggest water break in the world
Kamaishi has the biggest water break in the world. It is even a Guinness World Record! Well, as you all know, it failed. Bits and pieces of it can even be found here and there in Kamaishi port and on the shore. But, experts are now saying that because of the 63 meter (206 feet) deep water break, the town and the people in the town had an extra 6 minutes to escape. Also, the 63 m tall water break stopped a great deal of the tsunami from coming into the city, perhaps 40%.
The Mailman
The Japanese postal service is trying very hard to find people spread all over the countryside. Mailmen are now walking and riding their shooters over the debris trying to find people and to get their important mail to them. If someone is not in their home, they try to find out where they are and to get their letters to them.
25% of the plywood used in Japan is made in Tohoku, in the area where the earthquake happened. Suddenly plywood is in great demand! The whole construction industry is going into panic buying mode, each company buying up as much plywood as they can get their hands on. Without plywood, they can not finish the houses they are working on. The govt. is talking about quickly importing as much as they can get.
After the Kobe Quake, 16 years ago, it took 7 months to build all the temporary housing needed by the people who lost their homes. This came under a great deal of criticism. Soon after this quake, the govt. said that they wanted more than 30,000 temp. homes built within two months. In one small town, 36 temp. homes are ready. Yesterday they had a drawing. 18 of the tiny homes are for the elderly and 18 for the rest. There were 58 times more people applying for those 18 units!!
There are many problems with building the temp. homes. Finding enough flat land in each area that was not damaged by the tsunami is turning out to be a difficult task. Tohoku is very mountainous with little flat land except around the sea and port areas. Also, a plywood factory up north had all of its machines ruined. Their logs drifted all over the place in the tsunami. Workers with cranes are out in the debris, collecting as much as they can find. Many construction companies in Tohoku, first up to get these jobs, are finding that they have lost their tools as well, making it even more difficult if not impossible.
Life Lines
As of two days ago, the following services are up and running:
- Electric 96.7%
- Water 91.7%
- Gas 48%
Supply Lines
Supermarkets are opening up for business again. Many Aeon branches (a huge supermarket chain found though out Japan) in the Tohoku area served as a refugee centers because of their huge available space. They are now ready to open for business again. The moment the quake hit, the company set up a earthquake/disaster committee in Tokyo to deal with the needs of those suffering and to get the right products in place for those in need. Many of the local store managers started giving away food immediately after the quake without waiting for word from the head office and were praised for doing so later by management. In one store, the manage gave away 2500 onigiri, rice balls, which the Japanese like to eat for a light meal. He gave away all the instant noodles and anything else that the people needed. He sleeps next to his desk and is first up in the early hours of the morning out taking care of the people still living in the store's plaza area.
Things like yogurt and natto (fermented beads) are in short supply. Not because milk or beans are not available. For example, with the blackouts that were happening last week, the yogurt makers did not have enough time to make the yogurt before the lights went out. They were afraid of the yogurt going bad. The natto makers had a different problem. The plastic sheeting used to cover the packages was in short supply and Japanese law says that all products must HAVE labels and expiry dates clearly listed. So the manufactures could not make anything for sale. But don't worry, they continued to make the natto (a very nutritional soy bean product) and sent all the packages up north to the quake hit areas as food. This was allowed by the Health Ministry!!
Bottled water is very hard to buy. Demand outstrips supply by 8 times. The govt. is thinking of importing lots of water. I haven't seen ONE bottle of water is a long time. Homes in the Kanto area around Tokyo can't be finished because plywood is in short supply as well as things like kitchens which are made in Tohoku.
The biggest water break in the world
Kamaishi has the biggest water break in the world. It is even a Guinness World Record! Well, as you all know, it failed. Bits and pieces of it can even be found here and there in Kamaishi port and on the shore. But, experts are now saying that because of the 63 meter (206 feet) deep water break, the town and the people in the town had an extra 6 minutes to escape. Also, the 63 m tall water break stopped a great deal of the tsunami from coming into the city, perhaps 40%.
The Mailman
The Japanese postal service is trying very hard to find people spread all over the countryside. Mailmen are now walking and riding their shooters over the debris trying to find people and to get their important mail to them. If someone is not in their home, they try to find out where they are and to get their letters to them.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
We Live with Radiation Every Day
It seems we live with radiation every day.
Everywhere.
From outer space.
From the ground.
There is even a kind of "natural" radiation in our vegetables that we have been eating forever!
And 50 years ago, there was a 1,000 times more plutonium in the dirt in Osaka and Tokyo than there is today. WHY? Because of the atomic bomb testing done by the United States and Russia, then later by China and others.
---------------------------------
A 1,000 times plutonium in the dirt than there is now.
---------------------------------
Good to stress that. Also, this would be true of all countries of the world. But I bet the US had way more plutonium in its dirt and atmosphere than we would like to think, even now.
And then there are areas of the earth that have more natural radiation because of the make up of the land itself.
For example:
One professor said something interesting this morning:
even though cesium has a half life of 30 years, any cesium that fish may ingest, for example, will be reduced to half in 58 days.
We consider radiation a poison, but it is also a cure. They now have special radiation machines that can pin point the ray to a 2mm point inside cancer cells. It is a 5 minute treatment. And the patient is up and literally running after it is over.
Here is a link to a really good story in Forbes:
What are millisieverts and should Tokyo be scared of them
Everywhere.
From outer space.
From the ground.
There is even a kind of "natural" radiation in our vegetables that we have been eating forever!
And 50 years ago, there was a 1,000 times more plutonium in the dirt in Osaka and Tokyo than there is today. WHY? Because of the atomic bomb testing done by the United States and Russia, then later by China and others.
---------------------------------
A 1,000 times plutonium in the dirt than there is now.
---------------------------------
Good to stress that. Also, this would be true of all countries of the world. But I bet the US had way more plutonium in its dirt and atmosphere than we would like to think, even now.
And then there are areas of the earth that have more natural radiation because of the make up of the land itself.
For example:
- Japan has an average of 0.43 micro sieverts
- US has 0.40 micro sieverts
- China has 0.54 micro sieverts
- one place in Brazil has 5.5 micro sieverts
- and one place in Iran has 10.2 micro sieverts
One professor said something interesting this morning:
even though cesium has a half life of 30 years, any cesium that fish may ingest, for example, will be reduced to half in 58 days.
We consider radiation a poison, but it is also a cure. They now have special radiation machines that can pin point the ray to a 2mm point inside cancer cells. It is a 5 minute treatment. And the patient is up and literally running after it is over.
Here is a link to a really good story in Forbes:
What are millisieverts and should Tokyo be scared of them
Monday, April 4, 2011
3 Weeks After the Quake
April 4. 2011
Three weeks or so have passed since the quake hit.
Some 12,000 people are confirmed dead and 15,000 or so are still missing.
The highest tsunami was 37.9 meters. 124 feet! In Miyakoshi.
Local governments are starting to get back on their feet and are offering other services besides just relief activities. People are being encouraged to apply for relief from real estate taxes, for example.
Leaders are starting to appear here and there. In one small village, the owner of 4 fishing ships is overseeing the care of 30 people in his area. He got them to safety and found them food, created bathing facilities and has now found them a new place to stay. More an more of these local leaders are starting to stand on their feet and to take charge of their lives and their communities lives again.
On a happier note, the president of Softbank (a big internet/telephone company), Masayoshi Son, will give 10 billion yen of his personal money to the quake victims. And he will also give all his earnings till retirement to support orphans, including those who lost their parents in the earthquake and tsunami. (Read the Japan Times story here.) His company has also given 1 billion yen. Now, remember, the Red Cross has collected 115 billion yen for earthquake relief so far and you can see the extent of his generosity. Other men like the president of Uniqlo are giving 1 billion each from their personal funds.
Three days after the quake hit, Kajiwara san started looking for the 7 members of his family that were missing. He walked though the broken houses and cars and ships with a stick to help his 73 year old legs to stay upright. His son, his son's wife, her parents and the 3 grandchildren. Two weeks later, when we see him again, he has found his son and 2 of his grandchildren. It seems his son's wife, her parents and the little 5 year old grandchild were missing till they found the little boy dead in the fields. They can not find the car that they were all fleeing in or the other three members of the family. Everyday they go to the make-shift morgue to search with no luck.
A few days ago, they went back to their house to find it still standing like a shell with nothing but dirt in it. They looked thought the house and found in the upstairs closet a package that had not been harmed. The carp / fish flags flown in May to celebrate boys day. They were so happy to find this that they got it out and set the pole up in the debris and flew the carp flags. It seemed like a gift.
Three weeks or so have passed since the quake hit.
Some 12,000 people are confirmed dead and 15,000 or so are still missing.
The highest tsunami was 37.9 meters. 124 feet! In Miyakoshi.
Local governments are starting to get back on their feet and are offering other services besides just relief activities. People are being encouraged to apply for relief from real estate taxes, for example.
Leaders are starting to appear here and there. In one small village, the owner of 4 fishing ships is overseeing the care of 30 people in his area. He got them to safety and found them food, created bathing facilities and has now found them a new place to stay. More an more of these local leaders are starting to stand on their feet and to take charge of their lives and their communities lives again.
On a happier note, the president of Softbank (a big internet/telephone company), Masayoshi Son, will give 10 billion yen of his personal money to the quake victims. And he will also give all his earnings till retirement to support orphans, including those who lost their parents in the earthquake and tsunami. (Read the Japan Times story here.) His company has also given 1 billion yen. Now, remember, the Red Cross has collected 115 billion yen for earthquake relief so far and you can see the extent of his generosity. Other men like the president of Uniqlo are giving 1 billion each from their personal funds.
Three days after the quake hit, Kajiwara san started looking for the 7 members of his family that were missing. He walked though the broken houses and cars and ships with a stick to help his 73 year old legs to stay upright. His son, his son's wife, her parents and the 3 grandchildren. Two weeks later, when we see him again, he has found his son and 2 of his grandchildren. It seems his son's wife, her parents and the little 5 year old grandchild were missing till they found the little boy dead in the fields. They can not find the car that they were all fleeing in or the other three members of the family. Everyday they go to the make-shift morgue to search with no luck.
A few days ago, they went back to their house to find it still standing like a shell with nothing but dirt in it. They looked thought the house and found in the upstairs closet a package that had not been harmed. The carp / fish flags flown in May to celebrate boys day. They were so happy to find this that they got it out and set the pole up in the debris and flew the carp flags. It seemed like a gift.
 |
| Carp 'flags' flown to celebrate Boys Day - this is a generic photo. |
Animal Rescue
What happened to the Animals
Thoughts are starting to turn to the animal victims of the quake and the tsunami. There was another live rescue out on the ocean, way out to sea. Again the Japanese Self-Defense Force ships found a dog alive on a roof top miles out to sea yesterday. They saved him and fed him. He seemed fairly well. It was thought that he had somehow gotten drinking water from the rain, while out at sea.
But, at a large 'sea world' type aquarium, 750 species, or 200,000 individual fish had died because the water in their huge tank had gotten too cold. The larger animals, like seals, were being sent to other aquariums.
Zoos are running out of food, but they are now being supplied by other zoos around Japan.Their keepers are living at the zoos trying to care for them as best they can.
Dolphins were found dead 6 k inland in some areas. They must have been carried in by the tsunami. Many other deaths must have occurred out at sea. Little is known at this time about the effect of the tsunami on the fishing in the area, one of the richest in the world and Japan.
Pets are usually not allowed into the refugee centers. Some don't like them or are allergic to them. So people who were able to save their pets or who went back for them later have a hard road to go down. Some stay with their pet in their car - and suffer from "economy syndrome" (something you can suffer from if you sit in a tight space, like an airplane, for too long). Some go every day, back home, where their pet is waiting to feed them there. Many pet hotels and pet hospitals are full and can not offer much more help to those in need.
One expert in the field said that a new way of thinking is needed to handle pet care and pet emergencies in the future.
Thoughts are starting to turn to the animal victims of the quake and the tsunami. There was another live rescue out on the ocean, way out to sea. Again the Japanese Self-Defense Force ships found a dog alive on a roof top miles out to sea yesterday. They saved him and fed him. He seemed fairly well. It was thought that he had somehow gotten drinking water from the rain, while out at sea.
But, at a large 'sea world' type aquarium, 750 species, or 200,000 individual fish had died because the water in their huge tank had gotten too cold. The larger animals, like seals, were being sent to other aquariums.
Zoos are running out of food, but they are now being supplied by other zoos around Japan.Their keepers are living at the zoos trying to care for them as best they can.
Dolphins were found dead 6 k inland in some areas. They must have been carried in by the tsunami. Many other deaths must have occurred out at sea. Little is known at this time about the effect of the tsunami on the fishing in the area, one of the richest in the world and Japan.
Pets are usually not allowed into the refugee centers. Some don't like them or are allergic to them. So people who were able to save their pets or who went back for them later have a hard road to go down. Some stay with their pet in their car - and suffer from "economy syndrome" (something you can suffer from if you sit in a tight space, like an airplane, for too long). Some go every day, back home, where their pet is waiting to feed them there. Many pet hotels and pet hospitals are full and can not offer much more help to those in need.
One expert in the field said that a new way of thinking is needed to handle pet care and pet emergencies in the future.
Radiation in Perspective
Lets Keep things in Perspective
This chart combines a lot of the radiation figures we have been hearing into one whole.
Print it out for yourself.
Here is a link to the online Radiation chart.
This chart combines a lot of the radiation figures we have been hearing into one whole.
Print it out for yourself.
Here is a link to the online Radiation chart.
Fukushima Plant Workers Start to Tell Their Story
April 2nd, 2011
Workers Comments
I head an interview with a couple of workers at the Fukushima Plant.
One man said that he did not know how much radioactive contamination he has suffered because there were not enough Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices, to go around. Tepco had had 5,000 on hand, but they were washed away by the tsunami. He started crying on the phone, saying 50 millisieverts, 100 millisieverts, 500 millisieverts, a 1000 millisieverts, he did not know how contaminated he was.
Another man who heard that they were being called heroes by the foreign press, said that "he did not want to be called a hero, he did not want to be a hero."
Another young man in his twenties said that they had never had a change to contact their families. They lived near by and he was sure his house had been washed away.
The men in the control room hid under their desks during the earthquake. The ceiling fell down. They had been sure that nothing like this would ever happen.
During the first 3 days, several hundred men worked straight though without rest or food.
Now, they have meals only 2 times a day, some dried biscuits and a can of cooked chicken or fish. There is no water, no toilets with running water. During the first 3 days, there was not enough food for everyone. Many people ate no food or only had 1 meal during that time. They only had 1 blanket, when they slept.
Many of the people working in the plant come from sub-contractors, not Tepco people. The president of one of these companies goes out regularly to get food and drink for his people. He contacts their families and talks to them about what is going on. He said that many never want to work on a nuclear plant again.
On the 4th day, one young man learned that his house had be swept away. He lost his parents and his grandparents.
Again, the president of the sub-contracting company said that he felt he had betrayed a lot of people. He said that before, older people would ask him if it was safe and he would say, "hey, I'm living here with my family, would I do that if it wasn't safe." Now, he feels he betrayed them, his family, the town, the prefecture, the country.
Before it became a shockingly big story, Tepco, knew that they needed more Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices. But they did not get them. Instead, they used the buddy system, where one worker would have the dosimeter and others would check out his. But a professor expert said that if a person was standing 1 meter close to a hot area and another was 3 meters away, the person standing 1 meter away would get 10 times the dose... so the buddy system does not really work. Once the news got out, other nuclear plants in Japan shared their dosimeters.
Looking for Work
My son heard that Tepco is offering 50,000 yen a day pay (a little over 550 dollars a day) to workers to come and help in the clean up, but there are few takers. Well, can you blame them. No food to speak of, bad sleeping conditions, no dosimeters. Seemingly little care or thought from the company.
My son said if they had done this, the situation might have been different:: Long ago when the plant was first built, they should have built a big house next to the plant and have the directors of Tepco live there by turns - several months or years. The president, the chairman, all the directors. Then the plant would have had must better safety systems in place. But they all live in Tokyo, so they don't care in the same way.
Farmers comments about the Plant
One farmer from within the 20 k exclusion limit, said that they will most likely not be able to use their land for decades. One wife said, "we supported Tokyo by providing a place for electricity to be produced with our sacrifice, they should support us now. There is still little or no searching going on the dead in the exclusion area, especially along the coast.
Workers Comments
I head an interview with a couple of workers at the Fukushima Plant.
One man said that he did not know how much radioactive contamination he has suffered because there were not enough Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices, to go around. Tepco had had 5,000 on hand, but they were washed away by the tsunami. He started crying on the phone, saying 50 millisieverts, 100 millisieverts, 500 millisieverts, a 1000 millisieverts, he did not know how contaminated he was.
Another man who heard that they were being called heroes by the foreign press, said that "he did not want to be called a hero, he did not want to be a hero."
Another young man in his twenties said that they had never had a change to contact their families. They lived near by and he was sure his house had been washed away.
The men in the control room hid under their desks during the earthquake. The ceiling fell down. They had been sure that nothing like this would ever happen.
During the first 3 days, several hundred men worked straight though without rest or food.
Now, they have meals only 2 times a day, some dried biscuits and a can of cooked chicken or fish. There is no water, no toilets with running water. During the first 3 days, there was not enough food for everyone. Many people ate no food or only had 1 meal during that time. They only had 1 blanket, when they slept.
Many of the people working in the plant come from sub-contractors, not Tepco people. The president of one of these companies goes out regularly to get food and drink for his people. He contacts their families and talks to them about what is going on. He said that many never want to work on a nuclear plant again.
On the 4th day, one young man learned that his house had be swept away. He lost his parents and his grandparents.
Again, the president of the sub-contracting company said that he felt he had betrayed a lot of people. He said that before, older people would ask him if it was safe and he would say, "hey, I'm living here with my family, would I do that if it wasn't safe." Now, he feels he betrayed them, his family, the town, the prefecture, the country.
Before it became a shockingly big story, Tepco, knew that they needed more Dosimeters, or radiation tracking devices. But they did not get them. Instead, they used the buddy system, where one worker would have the dosimeter and others would check out his. But a professor expert said that if a person was standing 1 meter close to a hot area and another was 3 meters away, the person standing 1 meter away would get 10 times the dose... so the buddy system does not really work. Once the news got out, other nuclear plants in Japan shared their dosimeters.
Looking for Work
My son heard that Tepco is offering 50,000 yen a day pay (a little over 550 dollars a day) to workers to come and help in the clean up, but there are few takers. Well, can you blame them. No food to speak of, bad sleeping conditions, no dosimeters. Seemingly little care or thought from the company.
My son said if they had done this, the situation might have been different:: Long ago when the plant was first built, they should have built a big house next to the plant and have the directors of Tepco live there by turns - several months or years. The president, the chairman, all the directors. Then the plant would have had must better safety systems in place. But they all live in Tokyo, so they don't care in the same way.
Farmers comments about the Plant
One farmer from within the 20 k exclusion limit, said that they will most likely not be able to use their land for decades. One wife said, "we supported Tokyo by providing a place for electricity to be produced with our sacrifice, they should support us now. There is still little or no searching going on the dead in the exclusion area, especially along the coast.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
No More Japanese Cigarettes!
Cigarettes!
How Japanese can you get?
My husband went out today to buy a pack of his favorite cigarettes and the shelves were empty of Japanese cigarettes! There were only foreign brands. And the reason why? All the cigarette filters used in Japanese cigarettes were made in Tohoku and the factory was destroyed. He was told he had to wait a month to get his favorite brand, but the clerk was not sure that there would really be Japanese cigarettes in a month....
How Japanese can you get?
My husband went out today to buy a pack of his favorite cigarettes and the shelves were empty of Japanese cigarettes! There were only foreign brands. And the reason why? All the cigarette filters used in Japanese cigarettes were made in Tohoku and the factory was destroyed. He was told he had to wait a month to get his favorite brand, but the clerk was not sure that there would really be Japanese cigarettes in a month....
Thursday, March 31, 2011
12,200 Fishing Boats Lost
Fishing Boats
The government has announced that more than 12,200 fishing boats were lost to the tsunami. The Tohoku area is one of the best areas for fishing in Japan and those boats need to be replaced for the economy to get back on its feet.
M. 5 earthquakes
Since the big quake on March 11th, there have been at least 372 quakes over M. 5. How does this compare to other, past quakes.
The Kobe quake, 16 years ago, suffered just 106 after quakes over M. 5.
The Niigata area quake a few years ago only had 6 M. 5 quakes.
This just goes to show how massive this Tohoku quake was.
Also, the quakes seem to be heading south to Chiba,... that means Tokyo. Not something I want to think about. Tokyo, supposedly has a major quake every 80 to 100 years. And the last big quake to destroy the city was in 1923. You do the math. :-)
Sad stories
The director of a TV news show went to find his father who lived in a small fishing village of 250. His father lived right on the ocean front. Of that 250, 150 died. There was nothing left of his father's house, nothing left of his father.
Another Fukushima Plant problem -- people trying to get out of the plant area are having a hard time getting into new shelters. They have to first prove that they are not contaminated by radiation.
A farmer has committed suicide after his organically farmed crops were found to be in a radiation contaminated area.
The Ookawa Elementary School Randoseru
Every little boy and girl who is 6 years old and about to enter first grade, looks forward to getting their own randoseru (click to see photo) or leather book bag. The word comes from the Dutch, ransel, which eventually became radoseru about 1880. Usually the proude grandparents buy the first randoseru that will be used during the 6 years of elementary school to carry all the books needed for school. It is considered a right of passage. To becoming a big boy or big girl. The randoseru seems to over power the little first grader and by the time he/she is in the sixth grade, it looks small on the back of all those much bigger kids.
At the Ookawa Elementary School only 34 of its students survived. The report said that 70% to 80% died.
The teachers did what they were supposed to do. The children followed their teachers out into the school yard. No one knew that the tsunami would come so quick or that it would be so big.
Now there is a sad line of randoseru on the school grounds. Parents and grandparents are at the school looking at the lined up randoseru, wet and soggy from the tsunami, for their child's school bag, crying when they find it, if they are lucky.
Here is a link to a blog with details about individual families:
Ookawa from Elementary School to Graveyard
The government has announced that more than 12,200 fishing boats were lost to the tsunami. The Tohoku area is one of the best areas for fishing in Japan and those boats need to be replaced for the economy to get back on its feet.
M. 5 earthquakes
Since the big quake on March 11th, there have been at least 372 quakes over M. 5. How does this compare to other, past quakes.
The Kobe quake, 16 years ago, suffered just 106 after quakes over M. 5.
The Niigata area quake a few years ago only had 6 M. 5 quakes.
This just goes to show how massive this Tohoku quake was.
Also, the quakes seem to be heading south to Chiba,... that means Tokyo. Not something I want to think about. Tokyo, supposedly has a major quake every 80 to 100 years. And the last big quake to destroy the city was in 1923. You do the math. :-)
Sad stories
The director of a TV news show went to find his father who lived in a small fishing village of 250. His father lived right on the ocean front. Of that 250, 150 died. There was nothing left of his father's house, nothing left of his father.
Another Fukushima Plant problem -- people trying to get out of the plant area are having a hard time getting into new shelters. They have to first prove that they are not contaminated by radiation.
A farmer has committed suicide after his organically farmed crops were found to be in a radiation contaminated area.
The Ookawa Elementary School Randoseru
Every little boy and girl who is 6 years old and about to enter first grade, looks forward to getting their own randoseru (click to see photo) or leather book bag. The word comes from the Dutch, ransel, which eventually became radoseru about 1880. Usually the proude grandparents buy the first randoseru that will be used during the 6 years of elementary school to carry all the books needed for school. It is considered a right of passage. To becoming a big boy or big girl. The randoseru seems to over power the little first grader and by the time he/she is in the sixth grade, it looks small on the back of all those much bigger kids.
At the Ookawa Elementary School only 34 of its students survived. The report said that 70% to 80% died.
The teachers did what they were supposed to do. The children followed their teachers out into the school yard. No one knew that the tsunami would come so quick or that it would be so big.
Now there is a sad line of randoseru on the school grounds. Parents and grandparents are at the school looking at the lined up randoseru, wet and soggy from the tsunami, for their child's school bag, crying when they find it, if they are lucky.
Here is a link to a blog with details about individual families:
Ookawa from Elementary School to Graveyard
The Onogawa Plant didn't have an Accident!
Tohoku Electric - Onogawa Plant
Yes, there are several other nuclear plants in Tohoku. Not connected to Tokyo Electric.
But they have not made the news.
And why is that? Well, they didn't have an accident, that is why.
What was the difference?
Well, for one thing, the Onogawa Plant had built a higher water break in the ocean - some 5.5 meters or so, higher than the Fukushima plant. Also, they were on a 14.8 meter hill. Still they were hit by the tsunami a little bit, but not enough to do any damage, any BIG damage.
And the little town down the road was ruined, completely ruined like everywhere else. So what happened? --The Tohoku Electric plant at Onogawa opened its gym to the town's people who now live there and they are taken care of by the plant people and others!!! The plant is helping to feed them! Why, because this plant is safe and the people feel safe - one lady said that usually she wouldn't like to stay there, but that she felt safe now. The director was on TV and he said, "We usually wouldn't allow non-plant people to stay in the gym, but this is a special case (I am paraphrasing ;-). I can also say, that the director sort of looked down his nose at the Fukushima plant, in his tone of voice...he said they are proud of the fact that they built on higher land. But, one professor in the same interview also admitted that non of the nuclear plants had really thought about tsunamis when they were being built. And that problem was left alone for decades. It seems the tsunami problem was on the agenda to be discussed in coming years.
Yes, there are several other nuclear plants in Tohoku. Not connected to Tokyo Electric.
But they have not made the news.
And why is that? Well, they didn't have an accident, that is why.
What was the difference?
Well, for one thing, the Onogawa Plant had built a higher water break in the ocean - some 5.5 meters or so, higher than the Fukushima plant. Also, they were on a 14.8 meter hill. Still they were hit by the tsunami a little bit, but not enough to do any damage, any BIG damage.
And the little town down the road was ruined, completely ruined like everywhere else. So what happened? --The Tohoku Electric plant at Onogawa opened its gym to the town's people who now live there and they are taken care of by the plant people and others!!! The plant is helping to feed them! Why, because this plant is safe and the people feel safe - one lady said that usually she wouldn't like to stay there, but that she felt safe now. The director was on TV and he said, "We usually wouldn't allow non-plant people to stay in the gym, but this is a special case (I am paraphrasing ;-). I can also say, that the director sort of looked down his nose at the Fukushima plant, in his tone of voice...he said they are proud of the fact that they built on higher land. But, one professor in the same interview also admitted that non of the nuclear plants had really thought about tsunamis when they were being built. And that problem was left alone for decades. It seems the tsunami problem was on the agenda to be discussed in coming years.
The Co-op
One out of five Japanese people belong to the co-op!
I did not know this.
Wow! I used to be a member as were all my friends here in Kashiwa.
Interesting story about the power of the co-op. First of all, what are co-ops? Basically, co-ops provide better, safer, food and other products to their members - though group buying. You join a co-op and in my case, I had to pay a refundable fee of 30,000 yen (about 300 dollars) to cover joint expenses. Supposedly, the co-op contracts with farmers to produce food with fewer pesticides and chemicals. Many mothers with young children join co-ops. You don't have to go shopping. You get a catalog once a week and you order from that. It is delivered to your door, once a week. You order your food on a weekly basis, and they bill you once a month and deduct the amount from your bank account - a typical Japanese payment method.
Well, as you can imagine, with 1 out of 5 Japanese as members, they have quite a network of storage facilities, production facilities, delivery systems, truck drivers with local knowledge of every single little town and village!!! To say the least! Vast storage facilities and vast amounts of food on hand at any one time.
Well, as soon as news of the earthquake hit the air waves, 40 members of the co-op emergency board were meeting to see what they could do. All this without anyone from government or anyone else asking them. They started mounting their vast power of local knowledge, trucks and truck drivers who know every road in their area, bread production, food/meal production etc. etc. AND, WITHIN THREE HOURS OF THE QUAKE, they were already delivering food to devastated areas!! Amazing. What did they deliver first, --croissants, which are easy for them to make and get out on the road, so to speak in a short period of time. The bread was made somewhere on the China Sea side of Japan and driven over the central mountains to the other side. Then again within a few more hours, they were bringing in other types of food and meals. Also, they sent out local reps and started going house to house to help people who stay in their homes and do not go to the refugee centers.
That is kind of cool, if you ask me!
I did not know this.
Wow! I used to be a member as were all my friends here in Kashiwa.
Interesting story about the power of the co-op. First of all, what are co-ops? Basically, co-ops provide better, safer, food and other products to their members - though group buying. You join a co-op and in my case, I had to pay a refundable fee of 30,000 yen (about 300 dollars) to cover joint expenses. Supposedly, the co-op contracts with farmers to produce food with fewer pesticides and chemicals. Many mothers with young children join co-ops. You don't have to go shopping. You get a catalog once a week and you order from that. It is delivered to your door, once a week. You order your food on a weekly basis, and they bill you once a month and deduct the amount from your bank account - a typical Japanese payment method.
Well, as you can imagine, with 1 out of 5 Japanese as members, they have quite a network of storage facilities, production facilities, delivery systems, truck drivers with local knowledge of every single little town and village!!! To say the least! Vast storage facilities and vast amounts of food on hand at any one time.
Well, as soon as news of the earthquake hit the air waves, 40 members of the co-op emergency board were meeting to see what they could do. All this without anyone from government or anyone else asking them. They started mounting their vast power of local knowledge, trucks and truck drivers who know every road in their area, bread production, food/meal production etc. etc. AND, WITHIN THREE HOURS OF THE QUAKE, they were already delivering food to devastated areas!! Amazing. What did they deliver first, --croissants, which are easy for them to make and get out on the road, so to speak in a short period of time. The bread was made somewhere on the China Sea side of Japan and driven over the central mountains to the other side. Then again within a few more hours, they were bringing in other types of food and meals. Also, they sent out local reps and started going house to house to help people who stay in their homes and do not go to the refugee centers.
That is kind of cool, if you ask me!
Why are the Japanese Holding up so Well?
Holding Up... no Looting
I don't know.
I keep thinking about the older man who lost his wife, his son's wife, his 3 grandchildren in the tsunami. He dove into other work to help other people, to look for their dead. He kept saying, "I don't want to think about it." "yari kiranai, yari kiranai" - which roughly means "I can't deal with it." and he started crying.
About the looting. Gee, everyone outside thinks the Japanese are so impersonal. But my personal feeling is the opposite. They make friends with the store clerks, say hello to them in the morning. The gas station guy who looks out for your car, also remembers what I said to him last time and continues the conversation. I have even started talking to the checkout clerks at a huge supermarket with 25 checkout lanes. Every once in a while, I get her. We say "hello, how are you doing." My local shops ask about Ken, "is he married yet?, where does he live?, what is he doing?" And it is not just me.
I don't know.
I keep thinking about the older man who lost his wife, his son's wife, his 3 grandchildren in the tsunami. He dove into other work to help other people, to look for their dead. He kept saying, "I don't want to think about it." "yari kiranai, yari kiranai" - which roughly means "I can't deal with it." and he started crying.
About the looting. Gee, everyone outside thinks the Japanese are so impersonal. But my personal feeling is the opposite. They make friends with the store clerks, say hello to them in the morning. The gas station guy who looks out for your car, also remembers what I said to him last time and continues the conversation. I have even started talking to the checkout clerks at a huge supermarket with 25 checkout lanes. Every once in a while, I get her. We say "hello, how are you doing." My local shops ask about Ken, "is he married yet?, where does he live?, what is he doing?" And it is not just me.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Japan Quake Map
This is a very interesting map showing where the earthquakes are happening and how far their effect is.
It was developed by:
Site built by Paul Nicholls
, developer of the Christchurch Quake Map website.
Click here to go to the map:
http://www.japanquakemap.com/
Also, here is a list in English for all the earthquakes happening in Japan from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/quake_singen_index.html
It was developed by:
Site built by Paul Nicholls
, developer of the Christchurch Quake Map website.
Click here to go to the map:
http://www.japanquakemap.com/
Also, here is a list in English for all the earthquakes happening in Japan from the Japan Meteorological Agency.
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/quake_singen_index.html
Help from Overseas
Operation Tomodachi
Here in Japan, we are not really aware of what help other countries are giving unless you watch a lot of CNN or the BBC. The rescue work being done by other countries is not shown too much on Japanese television. They have mentioned "Operation Tomodachi" (which means "friend" in Japanese). I heard about that some time ago on CNN, but I saw it on Japanese television for the first time yesterday, March 28th. They showed a photo of a US aircraft carrier with lots of tiny boats dog tailing it like there always are and they showed the sailors hard at work carrying food etc. Then they showed food and toy distribution on the ground. Food for 60,000 people had been provided.
Also, the US military, along with the Japanese Self Defense Force is cleaning up the ports all along the coast of Tohoku. They showed sonar shots of what looked like cars at the bottom of the port area. The waters are so black, that the divers are almost blind to conditions underwater and have to do everything by feel.
CNN said that what looked like a completely destroyed Sendai airport two weeks ago is now operational because of clean up done by the US military and the Japanese SDF. Big US military cargo jets can now land. A crew of US military air traffic guidance experts stand on top of buildings to guide the big airplanes in. But, you will rarely see this kind of news update on Japanese TV. I guess they have too much news about the troubles of their own citizens to deal with.
Here in Japan, we are not really aware of what help other countries are giving unless you watch a lot of CNN or the BBC. The rescue work being done by other countries is not shown too much on Japanese television. They have mentioned "Operation Tomodachi" (which means "friend" in Japanese). I heard about that some time ago on CNN, but I saw it on Japanese television for the first time yesterday, March 28th. They showed a photo of a US aircraft carrier with lots of tiny boats dog tailing it like there always are and they showed the sailors hard at work carrying food etc. Then they showed food and toy distribution on the ground. Food for 60,000 people had been provided.
Also, the US military, along with the Japanese Self Defense Force is cleaning up the ports all along the coast of Tohoku. They showed sonar shots of what looked like cars at the bottom of the port area. The waters are so black, that the divers are almost blind to conditions underwater and have to do everything by feel.
CNN said that what looked like a completely destroyed Sendai airport two weeks ago is now operational because of clean up done by the US military and the Japanese SDF. Big US military cargo jets can now land. A crew of US military air traffic guidance experts stand on top of buildings to guide the big airplanes in. But, you will rarely see this kind of news update on Japanese TV. I guess they have too much news about the troubles of their own citizens to deal with.
The Triangle of Life
This is an EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON 'THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE'
I was sent this extract by a friend in Europe. It would be very interesting to know what other rescue workers have found in their experiences.
Where to Go During an Earthquake
Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway? Well, forget it! This is a real eye opener. It could save your life someday.
--------
My name is Doug Copp I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI ), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years, and have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene -- unnecessary.
I was sent this extract by a friend in Europe. It would be very interesting to know what other rescue workers have found in their experiences.
Where to Go During an Earthquake
Remember that stuff about hiding under a table or standing in a doorway? Well, forget it! This is a real eye opener. It could save your life someday.
--------
My name is Doug Copp I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI ), the world's most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years, and have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene -- unnecessary.
Grifters
Most Japanese are honest.
Japan is a very safe and honest country.
But, there is crime here. After all there are lots id policeman and they are very busy!
Many who have suffered the destruction of their homes have lost everything. That means their bankbooks and in many cases most if not all of their identity papers. How do you prove who you are, if you have no papers, the city office which used to have you on file, no longer exists....??? You have money in the bank - how do you get it?
Right after the earthquake, many banks made announcements that if you had some sort of ID, they would let you withdraw up to 100,000 yen - one time, about 800 to a 1,000 dollars depending on the exchange rate.
Already, the cheaters and grifters have taken advantage of this and robbed the banks of thousands of dollars (yen actually :-) One man, reportedly took the same story and ID to 5 different banks.... Reportedly, something like 250,000 dollars has been grifted in total so far.
What a cheap trick to play in this time of suffering and pain. It is unbelievable!
Read this Japan Times article which a little bit about bank robbers and other bad people.
Japan is a very safe and honest country.
But, there is crime here. After all there are lots id policeman and they are very busy!
Many who have suffered the destruction of their homes have lost everything. That means their bankbooks and in many cases most if not all of their identity papers. How do you prove who you are, if you have no papers, the city office which used to have you on file, no longer exists....??? You have money in the bank - how do you get it?
Right after the earthquake, many banks made announcements that if you had some sort of ID, they would let you withdraw up to 100,000 yen - one time, about 800 to a 1,000 dollars depending on the exchange rate.
Already, the cheaters and grifters have taken advantage of this and robbed the banks of thousands of dollars (yen actually :-) One man, reportedly took the same story and ID to 5 different banks.... Reportedly, something like 250,000 dollars has been grifted in total so far.
What a cheap trick to play in this time of suffering and pain. It is unbelievable!
Read this Japan Times article which a little bit about bank robbers and other bad people.
Monday, March 28, 2011
5200 Telephone Poles
Telephone Poles
As of March 26, more than 5200 telephone and electric poles have fallen down because of the earthquake and tsunami and need to be repaired. The phone company and electric company are doing their best to put the poles back up. Right now, many, if not most people in the effected areas have no TV - so all those messages about "Japan is a strong country, we will overcome" or "We are with you, we will help you" (obviously a message for those in Tohoku), aren't really being seen by anyone up north. Only those people who have left the hardest hit areas are seeing these commercials.
Relocating
Whole towns are thinking of relocating, at least during this early stage of the recovery. Japanese people tend to be very loyal to their "home towns" and do not move around very much.
As of March 26, more than 5200 telephone and electric poles have fallen down because of the earthquake and tsunami and need to be repaired. The phone company and electric company are doing their best to put the poles back up. Right now, many, if not most people in the effected areas have no TV - so all those messages about "Japan is a strong country, we will overcome" or "We are with you, we will help you" (obviously a message for those in Tohoku), aren't really being seen by anyone up north. Only those people who have left the hardest hit areas are seeing these commercials.
Relocating
Whole towns are thinking of relocating, at least during this early stage of the recovery. Japanese people tend to be very loyal to their "home towns" and do not move around very much.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Getting Better & Not Getting Better
March 25, 2011
Fukushima Plant
This Japan Times article talks about the nuclear plant from the point of view of a plant designer who worked there when they were being build and always thought those plants were unsafe. He is very worried about the plant and the future of nuclear safety in Japan.
Bottled water
Kashiwa and Abiko (near me) have water contamination warnings and I have heard from neighbors that bottled water can not had at any price. But it looks like water contamination rates are getting better day by day.
Fukushima Plant
This Japan Times article talks about the nuclear plant from the point of view of a plant designer who worked there when they were being build and always thought those plants were unsafe. He is very worried about the plant and the future of nuclear safety in Japan.
Bottled water
Kashiwa and Abiko (near me) have water contamination warnings and I have heard from neighbors that bottled water can not had at any price. But it looks like water contamination rates are getting better day by day.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Disaster/Nuclear Issue-Related Links / English
Kimberly Hughes put together a list of disaster/nuclear issue-related links (below) for those who are interested in doing some more research on everything going on. She say:
Disaster/Nuclear Issue-Related Links (English)
(Regularly updated sites, background information, news, etc.)
MEXT reading of environmental radioactivity level by prefecture:
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/
Info on post-disaster Tokyo radiation levels, nuclear power plant info, electricity
stoppages, train schedules, etc.: http://metropolis.co.jp/quake/
Japan for Sustainability (Includes hotlines, disaster information for foreigners, and
many additional links): http://www.japanfs.org/en/
Please note that I make no guarantees as to the quality or accuracy of the information in these links; they are simply sites that I have come across that seem to have valuable and timely information with regard to the recent disaster and related issues. Please use your own discretion with regard to the information therein, and educate yourself with a wide variety of perspectives before taking action.
Remember that solidarity ＋ knowledge = power!!
Disaster/Nuclear Issue-Related Links (English)
(Regularly updated sites, background information, news, etc.)
MEXT reading of environmental radioactivity level by prefecture:
http://www.mext.go.jp/english/
Info on post-disaster Tokyo radiation levels, nuclear power plant info, electricity
stoppages, train schedules, etc.: http://metropolis.co.jp/quake/
Japan for Sustainability (Includes hotlines, disaster information for foreigners, and
many additional links): http://www.japanfs.org/en/
Why declaring an EMERGENCY is a good thing!
This is a great story about experiencing the earthquake from the air!!
It was sent to me by a family member who knows the pilot!
This story can not be used without permission.
-------------
Some notes before you start reading:
Subject: Flying into Japan's earthquake
I'm currently still in one piece, writing from my room in the Narita crew hotel. It's 8am. This is my inaugural trans-pacific trip as a brand new, recently checked out, international 767 Captain and it has been interesting, to say the least, so far. I've crossed the Atlantic three times so far so the ocean crossing procedures were familiar.
By the way, stunning scenery flying over the Aleutian Islands. Everything was going fine until 100 miles out from Tokyo and in the descent for arrival. The first indication of any trouble was that Japan air traffic control started putting everyone into holding patterns.
It was sent to me by a family member who knows the pilot!
This story can not be used without permission.
-------------
Some notes before you start reading:
- Misawa is in Iwate Pref, one area that hardest hit by the earthquake;
- Nagoya is in the other direction, between Tokyo and Kyoto;
- Chitose is in Hokkaido, on a different island, just across the water, north of the hardest hit areas.
- Yokota is near Tokyo
Subject: Flying into Japan's earthquake
I'm currently still in one piece, writing from my room in the Narita crew hotel. It's 8am. This is my inaugural trans-pacific trip as a brand new, recently checked out, international 767 Captain and it has been interesting, to say the least, so far. I've crossed the Atlantic three times so far so the ocean crossing procedures were familiar.
By the way, stunning scenery flying over the Aleutian Islands. Everything was going fine until 100 miles out from Tokyo and in the descent for arrival. The first indication of any trouble was that Japan air traffic control started putting everyone into holding patterns.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Endo Miki - Tsunami Hero
Water contamination
The waterworks in Kanamachi, Tokyo area (which is not too far from Kashiwa) said today that water contamination has gotten better.
Area around Fukushima Plant
There is some talk on the news shows that the area around the Fukushima Nuclear Plant will have to be abandoned because of the radiation. I do not know if this is really going to happen. I believe that more tests need to be done, which is going to happen, I am sure.
The waterworks in Kanamachi, Tokyo area (which is not too far from Kashiwa) said today that water contamination has gotten better.
- two days ago, 3/23 :: 210 units
- yesterday, 3/24 ::190 units
- today, 3/25 :: 79 units
Area around Fukushima Plant
There is some talk on the news shows that the area around the Fukushima Nuclear Plant will have to be abandoned because of the radiation. I do not know if this is really going to happen. I believe that more tests need to be done, which is going to happen, I am sure.
Ron and Don's Operation Airlift
My brother sent me this story! Its a great story!
Ron and Don's Operation Airlift started with one email sent by a Navy Chief Petty Officer's wife asking for some help from their former duty station (Everet Naval Station) This family recently reported to Mizawa Air Station and "adopted" the Japanese orphanage. It is not unusual for a Chiefs mess or Officers mess to do these types of things. Although it has been my experience that the chiefs mess do this much more often. This family refused to leave Japan after the earthquake and instead went to help the orphanage. Because of the earthquake/tsunami the orphanage now has 63 kids without parents, up from 43 kids. Ron and Don guarantee they will get the stuff to Japan if we will fill up the containers. Good story.
http://mynorthwest.com/
Ron and Don's Operation Airlift started with one email sent by a Navy Chief Petty Officer's wife asking for some help from their former duty station (Everet Naval Station) This family recently reported to Mizawa Air Station and "adopted" the Japanese orphanage. It is not unusual for a Chiefs mess or Officers mess to do these types of things. Although it has been my experience that the chiefs mess do this much more often. This family refused to leave Japan after the earthquake and instead went to help the orphanage. Because of the earthquake/tsunami the orphanage now has 63 kids without parents, up from 43 kids. Ron and Don guarantee they will get the stuff to Japan if we will fill up the containers. Good story.
http://mynorthwest.com/
Some informative Links
Love on Japan FACEBOOK -
CRASH Disaster Relief
http://www.facebook.com/crashjapan
This Forbes article is very informative!
The Japanese Nuclear Power Crisis Deepens
http://blogs.forbes.com/oshadavidson/2011/03/24/the-japanese-nuclear-power-crisis-deepens/
Here is news source from Twitter
http://twitter.com/Sannri/
Tsunami wiped out 1000s of pine trees in Rikuzentakata,
but 1 survived and has become symbol of hope
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/zoom/20110324-OYT9I00904.htm
click on this link to see the lone pine tree
CRASH Disaster Relief
http://www.facebook.com/crashjapan
This Forbes article is very informative!
The Japanese Nuclear Power Crisis Deepens
http://blogs.forbes.com/oshadavidson/2011/03/24/the-japanese-nuclear-power-crisis-deepens/
Here is news source from Twitter
http://twitter.com/Sannri/
Tsunami wiped out 1000s of pine trees in Rikuzentakata,
but 1 survived and has become symbol of hope
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/zoom/20110324-OYT9I00904.htm
click on this link to see the lone pine tree
Thursday, March 24, 2011
News from UP North
March 24, 2011 -#2
Mizuho Bank is really having a hard time fixing their computer system failure. It seems part of their problem happened when a lot of people tried to take money out of the bank after the quake. And they have not been able to fix it since then. They said on Sunday, that they would have everything ready by Monday or Tuesday at the worst, but it is still not fixed. And salaries are not being paid. Now, most companies in Japan pay their employees by bank transfer. But, transfers have been stopped for several days now.
Radiation exposure is expanding in more types of food and into the water supply in a wider range of areas. They are saying on TV that the amount of contamination is very low and the water can be used. But it should not be given to babies. Elements in the radiation will be collected in the baby's thyroid. It seems that this does not happen in adults, because babies are growing and their bodies mistake some parts of the radiation as something they need.
Mizuho Bank is really having a hard time fixing their computer system failure. It seems part of their problem happened when a lot of people tried to take money out of the bank after the quake. And they have not been able to fix it since then. They said on Sunday, that they would have everything ready by Monday or Tuesday at the worst, but it is still not fixed. And salaries are not being paid. Now, most companies in Japan pay their employees by bank transfer. But, transfers have been stopped for several days now.
Radiation exposure is expanding in more types of food and into the water supply in a wider range of areas. They are saying on TV that the amount of contamination is very low and the water can be used. But it should not be given to babies. Elements in the radiation will be collected in the baby's thyroid. It seems that this does not happen in adults, because babies are growing and their bodies mistake some parts of the radiation as something they need.
Life Goes On
March 24, 2011 - #1
I am sorry that I have been out of contact for a couple of days. But with various hair raising happenings and blackouts, I haven't had time to get to the computer.
Sunday, the 20th, Monday, the 21st
On the Sunday, the 20th, my husband went fishing about 5:00 in the morning and I stayed around the house. He got back about 1:00 with two small trout which we marinaded in olive oil and rosemary. We watched the news all day. And it was raining hard making it impossible to do anything outside, especially since we are being told to stay out the rain. It rained all day the next day, too. We really didn't want to do much.
Tuesday, the 22nd
On Tuesday, the 22nd, I took Takao to the station very early. A blackout was scheduled for later that day and the Hakone mountain train stops then, better to get out early.
I am sorry that I have been out of contact for a couple of days. But with various hair raising happenings and blackouts, I haven't had time to get to the computer.
Sunday, the 20th, Monday, the 21st
On the Sunday, the 20th, my husband went fishing about 5:00 in the morning and I stayed around the house. He got back about 1:00 with two small trout which we marinaded in olive oil and rosemary. We watched the news all day. And it was raining hard making it impossible to do anything outside, especially since we are being told to stay out the rain. It rained all day the next day, too. We really didn't want to do much.
Tuesday, the 22nd
On Tuesday, the 22nd, I took Takao to the station very early. A blackout was scheduled for later that day and the Hakone mountain train stops then, better to get out early.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Misinformation, Bad Reporting
March 20, 2011
There are two stories that I meant to tell you yesterday, but I forgot.
One is that from the day the earthquake happened, all regular commercials have been taken off all the TV channels. The only commercials that they have been playing are the same public service announcements: give your seat on the train to pregnant ladies, call an ambulance if you find you can't talk or use one side of your body, and be kind to others. I mean, in one commercial break, you may see the same young man conflicted about not giving his seat up at least 4 times. I don't know why for sure, but I can guess. The TV stations don't want to make money off the suffering of others and the clients don't want their products associated with the earthquake..... As of yesterday, some shows have a few of the regular commercials.
There are two stories that I meant to tell you yesterday, but I forgot.
One is that from the day the earthquake happened, all regular commercials have been taken off all the TV channels. The only commercials that they have been playing are the same public service announcements: give your seat on the train to pregnant ladies, call an ambulance if you find you can't talk or use one side of your body, and be kind to others. I mean, in one commercial break, you may see the same young man conflicted about not giving his seat up at least 4 times. I don't know why for sure, but I can guess. The TV stations don't want to make money off the suffering of others and the clients don't want their products associated with the earthquake..... As of yesterday, some shows have a few of the regular commercials.
Food Contamination
Radiation Exposure
March 20, 2011
I guess the big news is about food contamination, spinach, milk. My brother, sent me an AP story that had the same information as was on the Japanese news about rising levels of radiation contamination:
--even if you ate a kilo (2.2 lbs) of spinach a day for a year, the effect would be 1/5 a CT scan.
--drinking the tainted milk for a year would equal a CT scan
(they did not say in the article how much milk -- it must be a lot because I do drink a little bit of milk every day in my tea....)
But to show you the level of worry here, after that newscast, I was making tea and putting in milk when my husband rushed in and shouted, "when did you buy that milk.....before the quake....?????" Well, the two cartons I brought with me I got before the quake, but one carton I got here in Gotenba. But it was surely produced before the quake....? Already people are talking about not eating spinach.
Radiation exposure is like the boogie man in Japan.
March 20, 2011
I guess the big news is about food contamination, spinach, milk. My brother, sent me an AP story that had the same information as was on the Japanese news about rising levels of radiation contamination:
--even if you ate a kilo (2.2 lbs) of spinach a day for a year, the effect would be 1/5 a CT scan.
--drinking the tainted milk for a year would equal a CT scan
(they did not say in the article how much milk -- it must be a lot because I do drink a little bit of milk every day in my tea....)
But to show you the level of worry here, after that newscast, I was making tea and putting in milk when my husband rushed in and shouted, "when did you buy that milk.....before the quake....?????" Well, the two cartons I brought with me I got before the quake, but one carton I got here in Gotenba. But it was surely produced before the quake....? Already people are talking about not eating spinach.
Radiation exposure is like the boogie man in Japan.
Trying Some Shopping
March 19, 2011
I was feeling bad because we were slated for another blackout. But
this time from 4:00 to 7:00. At least most of it would be in the
daylight.... And I know I shouldn't use the car....., but I felt I
should try to get some candles or something.... instead of sitting in
the dark.
I could hear the Hakone town load speakers saying something. I called
the Town Office and found out that they have a town "magazine" which
they also use for announcements. They send them right to your cell
phone. I can pick and choose what information I want, so I picked
"security" and "emergency" information for my cell phone. Other things
like "cultural" and "events" I will have sent to my computer. About 10
minutes after the loud speakers go off, the cell phone email chirps,
so I can find out what they said.
I decided to chance it and to go to the local home center. It is just
a 10 to 15 minute drive a little way down the mountain. It was a
really nice day. It will be fun, I said to myself. Even if I do use up
some gas.... Of course, they were out of candles and flash
lights. Well, there I was at 11:30. Part way down the mountain anyway.
Not many tourists on the road as they can't buy gas... the devil in me
says, let's go to Gotenba, a near by small "big" town, .... I
can go to some shops I haven't been to yet, go to Kimisawa, my
favorite big supermarket, drive around and see Mt. Fuji. Yeah, lets do
that. And off I went.
And Mt. Fuji did not fail me. There she was in her majesty. All white
with snow. Very much up in your face, huge, taking up most of the sky.
Not a cloud in the sky and me with no camera. And, I basically had the
road to myself. I rolled down the mountain with Fuji flashing between
the trees. I pass the residence of the former Emperor Showa's brother,
Chichibu no Miya, and roll into Gotenba, which spreads out on Fuji's
skirts.
I should at least look for flashlights and candles.... but
where? I drive around looking for the local home center, and there it
is. Packed with cars and people rolling their shopping cars filled
high with toilet paper. Oh dear, I am late here too, I thought. Oh,
well, lets park and see what's up. The usual smell of cut lumber and
the dry clank of nails. Fencing piled high. Plants in the nursery
area, ready for spring planting. It is dark inside, like dusk. Yeah, I
guess they are trying to save on electricity, too. I pick up a little
shopping basket and head for the crowd of people knowing that is where
something good and scare has to be. And, YEEESSSS, little camp lights
that take batteries. Two of those. AND they have the batteries.
Limited amount, but I get two, one of the regular sort and one of the
"special" kind is okay, the clerk says. Then I find some flashlights,
the sort you crank and then turn on. Great, two of those. And then
some candles. Okay, we are good!
Now, I had two flashlights before but I made the mistake of keeping
the batteries inside, so they dripped or something and ruined the
flashlight. We also had one or two tiny birthday cake candles, but
please, they would be useless. Also, I heard that yesterday a woman
was cooking dinner with candles during the blackout in her area and
she burned her house down. No joke!!!!
Anyway, on to Kimisawa and food shopping. Again, not many people
around. I saw two closed gas stations who were out of gas, but I saw
two that were working and selling gas with only 5 or 6 cars lined up.
Kimisawa had lots of food, milk, eggs, meat, fish, chicken.
Everything. Bread too. No shortages here. In fact, I made an amazing
discovery. Kimisawa sells 8 different kinds of bananas. They were
labeled where they came from or the type. I got the ones from Peru.
PERU???? They grown them in Andes, it says on the package....
I got home about 2:00, had lunch and set up my lights. And at 4:00 the
blackout started. BANG. No lights, no TV. I worked for a while with my
camp lights, but I find dozing the best way to pass the time,
especially as it starts to turn dark. :-) But at 7:00, it was over.
My husband came up the mountain at about 9:00 by train. He and may be 4
other people were on the the little mountain train, which is the
second steepest train line in the world. I think that Darjeeling train
in India is the steepest in the world or is it one in Switzerland???
During the day, on the news, I saw video of children cleaning up their
school in one of the harder hit areas - where the school was not
really totally destroyed. They were doing this voluntarily. Without
being told to do so or asked by someone. Did you know that Japanese
children clean their school room themselves everyday!! There are no
janitors in Japan. At the end of the school day, all the kids get out
the brooms and mops and clean up. They take the trash out. They also
take turns cleaning the toilets and hallways. AND they start doing
this from the first grade. Those, cute, little first graders are
handed brooms and mops by their elders, the sixth graders who teach
them the ropes. Also there are no lunch rooms in a Japanese school
either - for the most part, anyway. They eat, for the most part, in
their classroom. The food is cooked in central kitchens and delivered
to the school. The food is in big contains, on racks, one for each
classroom. The kids get the food themselves and serve it themselves to
their classmates. The teacher eats with them. They take turns with
this duty. Then all the kids put the plates and bowls back on the
racks and out in to the halls again. None of this going to the lunch
room and having food fights.....
Not too much news about the aftermath of the earthquake or the tsunami
or the Fukushima plant. But I do have one story. A man runs a fishing
boat design company - not for sport, but the kind used by professional
fisherman. He is older and he was training a young man to take his
place. He was out in the rubble looking for that man. Finally, he
finds his car with his jacket inside. He can't make heads or tails of
it. Finally someone comes along who can explain, someone who witnessed
what happened. It seems that after the earthquake and before the
tsunami, a fisherman was in the water and the younger man took off his
jacket and drove in the water to help the man. Then the tsunami came.
They didn't make it.
People are starting to die because of lack of medicine. Four as of
yesterday. And 21 have died in the refugee centers. The Japanese Self Defense Force Force has been putting up pontoon bridges where they were
broken or swept away. That is making it much easier to get around. The
roads are being cleared first so that supplies can be brought in.
Japanese TV is turning more and more to its regular broadcast
schedule. Only NHK is spending 100% of its time on the suffering.
Other stations now have specials. The news shows are all about the
earthquake and related issues, though.
The airports are filled with foreigners leaving Japan. France and the
US and several other countries are sending airplanes. They are worried
about the lack of news in their language....
I was feeling bad because we were slated for another blackout. But
this time from 4:00 to 7:00. At least most of it would be in the
daylight.... And I know I shouldn't use the car....., but I felt I
should try to get some candles or something.... instead of sitting in
the dark.
I could hear the Hakone town load speakers saying something. I called
the Town Office and found out that they have a town "magazine" which
they also use for announcements. They send them right to your cell
phone. I can pick and choose what information I want, so I picked
"security" and "emergency" information for my cell phone. Other things
like "cultural" and "events" I will have sent to my computer. About 10
minutes after the loud speakers go off, the cell phone email chirps,
so I can find out what they said.
I decided to chance it and to go to the local home center. It is just
a 10 to 15 minute drive a little way down the mountain. It was a
really nice day. It will be fun, I said to myself. Even if I do use up
some gas.... Of course, they were out of candles and flash
lights. Well, there I was at 11:30. Part way down the mountain anyway.
Not many tourists on the road as they can't buy gas... the devil in me
says, let's go to Gotenba, a near by small "big" town, .... I
can go to some shops I haven't been to yet, go to Kimisawa, my
favorite big supermarket, drive around and see Mt. Fuji. Yeah, lets do
that. And off I went.
And Mt. Fuji did not fail me. There she was in her majesty. All white
with snow. Very much up in your face, huge, taking up most of the sky.
Not a cloud in the sky and me with no camera. And, I basically had the
road to myself. I rolled down the mountain with Fuji flashing between
the trees. I pass the residence of the former Emperor Showa's brother,
Chichibu no Miya, and roll into Gotenba, which spreads out on Fuji's
skirts.
I should at least look for flashlights and candles.... but
where? I drive around looking for the local home center, and there it
is. Packed with cars and people rolling their shopping cars filled
high with toilet paper. Oh dear, I am late here too, I thought. Oh,
well, lets park and see what's up. The usual smell of cut lumber and
the dry clank of nails. Fencing piled high. Plants in the nursery
area, ready for spring planting. It is dark inside, like dusk. Yeah, I
guess they are trying to save on electricity, too. I pick up a little
shopping basket and head for the crowd of people knowing that is where
something good and scare has to be. And, YEEESSSS, little camp lights
that take batteries. Two of those. AND they have the batteries.
Limited amount, but I get two, one of the regular sort and one of the
"special" kind is okay, the clerk says. Then I find some flashlights,
the sort you crank and then turn on. Great, two of those. And then
some candles. Okay, we are good!
Now, I had two flashlights before but I made the mistake of keeping
the batteries inside, so they dripped or something and ruined the
flashlight. We also had one or two tiny birthday cake candles, but
please, they would be useless. Also, I heard that yesterday a woman
was cooking dinner with candles during the blackout in her area and
she burned her house down. No joke!!!!
Anyway, on to Kimisawa and food shopping. Again, not many people
around. I saw two closed gas stations who were out of gas, but I saw
two that were working and selling gas with only 5 or 6 cars lined up.
Kimisawa had lots of food, milk, eggs, meat, fish, chicken.
Everything. Bread too. No shortages here. In fact, I made an amazing
discovery. Kimisawa sells 8 different kinds of bananas. They were
labeled where they came from or the type. I got the ones from Peru.
PERU???? They grown them in Andes, it says on the package....
I got home about 2:00, had lunch and set up my lights. And at 4:00 the
blackout started. BANG. No lights, no TV. I worked for a while with my
camp lights, but I find dozing the best way to pass the time,
especially as it starts to turn dark. :-) But at 7:00, it was over.
My husband came up the mountain at about 9:00 by train. He and may be 4
other people were on the the little mountain train, which is the
second steepest train line in the world. I think that Darjeeling train
in India is the steepest in the world or is it one in Switzerland???
During the day, on the news, I saw video of children cleaning up their
school in one of the harder hit areas - where the school was not
really totally destroyed. They were doing this voluntarily. Without
being told to do so or asked by someone. Did you know that Japanese
children clean their school room themselves everyday!! There are no
janitors in Japan. At the end of the school day, all the kids get out
the brooms and mops and clean up. They take the trash out. They also
take turns cleaning the toilets and hallways. AND they start doing
this from the first grade. Those, cute, little first graders are
handed brooms and mops by their elders, the sixth graders who teach
them the ropes. Also there are no lunch rooms in a Japanese school
either - for the most part, anyway. They eat, for the most part, in
their classroom. The food is cooked in central kitchens and delivered
to the school. The food is in big contains, on racks, one for each
classroom. The kids get the food themselves and serve it themselves to
their classmates. The teacher eats with them. They take turns with
this duty. Then all the kids put the plates and bowls back on the
racks and out in to the halls again. None of this going to the lunch
room and having food fights.....
Not too much news about the aftermath of the earthquake or the tsunami
or the Fukushima plant. But I do have one story. A man runs a fishing
boat design company - not for sport, but the kind used by professional
fisherman. He is older and he was training a young man to take his
place. He was out in the rubble looking for that man. Finally, he
finds his car with his jacket inside. He can't make heads or tails of
it. Finally someone comes along who can explain, someone who witnessed
what happened. It seems that after the earthquake and before the
tsunami, a fisherman was in the water and the younger man took off his
jacket and drove in the water to help the man. Then the tsunami came.
They didn't make it.
People are starting to die because of lack of medicine. Four as of
yesterday. And 21 have died in the refugee centers. The Japanese Self Defense Force Force has been putting up pontoon bridges where they were
broken or swept away. That is making it much easier to get around. The
roads are being cleared first so that supplies can be brought in.
Japanese TV is turning more and more to its regular broadcast
schedule. Only NHK is spending 100% of its time on the suffering.
Other stations now have specials. The news shows are all about the
earthquake and related issues, though.
The airports are filled with foreigners leaving Japan. France and the
US and several other countries are sending airplanes. They are worried
about the lack of news in their language....
What to do in Case of Radiation Exposure
March 19, 2011
Here is link to a Japan Times News article about what to do in case of radiation exposure. This is a very good article.
Click on the title to go to the article.
Here is link to a Japan Times News article about what to do in case of radiation exposure. This is a very good article.
Click on the title to go to the article.
Blackout for Real!
March 18, 2011
It is almost 9:00 in the morning here.
Yesterday was quiet and uneventful here. Except I kept hearing the local announcements over the loud speakers. All Japanese small towns and villages have loud speakers to contact people. This comes from the days when people did not have phones like they do today, I suppose. We even have them in Kashiwa in my neighborhood. Mostly, it rings at 4:30 in the afternoon when all children have to go home. And believe me, they go home! Or I have heard them with announcements like this: "Have you seen a man about 80, dressed such and such, walking in your area? If you have seen him, please call the city office. He needs help and is lost."
Well, Hakone, being an mountainous area, the announcements overlap with echos. They were talking all day. I tried to listen, but I couldn't make heads or tails of it. In the past, when I could hear what they were saying, they were announcing the yearly wild boar hunt to reduce the numbers of these pests. I wondered if they MIGHT be talking about a blackout.... hmmmm....
In the morning, I made an old fashioned Japanese stew-like dish of chicken, konyaku, gobo (burdock), potatoes stir fried in a bit of sesame oil, then I added a konbu (kelp) stock, some soy sauce and miso and let it simmer slowly on the wood burning stove. I busied myself with some cleaning and washing and, of course, some beading. At 6:30, I made the final preparation for the stew. I didn't want rice, so I made some bifun noodles (which are rice noodles) and sat down to eat. The little wild cat that I befriended came and wanted something to eat, so I gave her some tuna. She catches mice too. I have seen her play with them. I then took my food to the sofa and I was about to put a spoonful in my mouth, when the whole house went black, BANG. I looked outside and the street lights were off. My eyes were not adjusted, but slowly they did adjust.
I took my two bowls into the kitchen and sat by the security lights. We use Alsok for our security and their system runs on batteries as well as electricity. The panel lit up the kitchen with their red and green lights - cheerful, like Christmas. I ate my dinner, thinking, "what in the heck am I going to do?" After gulping down the meal, I sat by the fire for a while with its soft red glow. Then I went to the sofa and looked outside. The moon was out and it was clear. Outside was actually brighter than inside.
Twenty minutes later, ........ ....... ...... and ...... ..... bored, bored. :-) boring, boring! And then I thought, oh, email, lets see if email works. .... and it did. I started sending emails to Ken, Sawada san, Igarashi san, my friends in Kashiwa. It was fun getting answers back. Ken was in a bar in downtown Tokyo and he sent me photos of what he was eating and drinking. Ah, the time is flying, this is fun......about an hour had passed. I was about the answer another round of email, when my PHONE WENT DEAD. The battery ran down. Oh, I thought walking to kitchen, I'll just plug it in,.... no wait, I can't do that. Isolated again.
Oh well, I sat on the sofa and put a couple of blankets around me and lay down, looking outside. It was spooky. I didn't really want to look at the windows because I might see a boogie man....--not that I believe in the boogie man -- but it was spooky feeling. Do any of you remember that Twilight Zone show where a man on an airplane sees a gremlin trying to break the wings of the plane. He closes his window, but then he takes a quick peak out, and when he opens the window, the gremlin has his face pressed to the glass - with an ugly grin. It is a real shocker. I kept half thinking I might see him..... .....But, I dozed off and suddenly, the room was light and the TV came back on. Three hours hand passed - in total. I got some tea and just went on with my life.... I watched the news for a while and then "Damages" - gosh, that is a mean show.
This morning, I heard them talking outside, again. So I called the city office and explained that I could not hear what was being announced. They apologized and told me that the next blackout will be from 4:00 to 7:00 this time. I don't really feel like going out to look for candles because of the panic buying that has been going on. I am sure there are none.... but I may take a quick drive to our local "home center" as they are called and see if there are any candles. I bet there are none to be hand....
The US Embassy has been offering flights to other Asian countries. Many language teachers in Tohoku have been told to leave by their Embassies. Some countries are sending airplanes. One Japanese man married to a woman from the UK, in my group, told his wife that he could not get her tickets to the UK. This was the first time she had heard about it. She did not know he was so worried. Since he could not get tickets, he urged her to pack some bags, take the kids, and to get on a train, go to Kyushu, which is near to Taiwan, get a ferry out and go to Singapore!!!! She was shocked! One young American mother left Thursday and said later via email that the flight was filled with families with young children......
For right now, I will be staying in Hakone. I wouldn't want to leave Ken, although he is old enough to take care of himself. Next week, Takao has a business trip and will be away. I'll just stay here.
Saitama Pref, which acts as a bed town for Tokyo commuters, as opened up its soccer stadium to people from Fukushima, who live near the nuclear plants. It is filling up. They are providing food, sleeping blankets, counseling, communication etc. etc.
Yesterday morning, there was an interesting news story:
Japan has not accepted any flights or help from any US ships at sea as of yet. But, one lone helicopter landed in one village filled to the brim with food. The mayor of the town was so happy because they had little food. The pilot and crew said, "hey, this is food for ya'll" and when unloaded they flew off. The story made all the news shows in the evening. There happened to be a camera crew there to document it all.
Also, they know about the bad press that the nuclear plant and its aftermath is getting. They showed the US official saying that Americans should be more than 50 miles from the plants. They showed the newspaper headlines from around the world.
Right now, the big story is, "why is there no looting in Japan". I can't imagine looting in Japan. Especially in Tohoku. Small towns, everybody knows everybody. And anyway, store owners are bringing all their food to the rescue centers and giving it to people anyway. Japanese believe strongly that you share the good times, but more importantly, you share the bad times, too. That is why people in Tokyo are not mad about the blackouts, because the people in Tohoku need help. (They, of course, expect Tokyo Electric to be punished for its incompetency. That is not allowed.)
It is almost 9:00 in the morning here.
Yesterday was quiet and uneventful here. Except I kept hearing the local announcements over the loud speakers. All Japanese small towns and villages have loud speakers to contact people. This comes from the days when people did not have phones like they do today, I suppose. We even have them in Kashiwa in my neighborhood. Mostly, it rings at 4:30 in the afternoon when all children have to go home. And believe me, they go home! Or I have heard them with announcements like this: "Have you seen a man about 80, dressed such and such, walking in your area? If you have seen him, please call the city office. He needs help and is lost."
Well, Hakone, being an mountainous area, the announcements overlap with echos. They were talking all day. I tried to listen, but I couldn't make heads or tails of it. In the past, when I could hear what they were saying, they were announcing the yearly wild boar hunt to reduce the numbers of these pests. I wondered if they MIGHT be talking about a blackout.... hmmmm....
In the morning, I made an old fashioned Japanese stew-like dish of chicken, konyaku, gobo (burdock), potatoes stir fried in a bit of sesame oil, then I added a konbu (kelp) stock, some soy sauce and miso and let it simmer slowly on the wood burning stove. I busied myself with some cleaning and washing and, of course, some beading. At 6:30, I made the final preparation for the stew. I didn't want rice, so I made some bifun noodles (which are rice noodles) and sat down to eat. The little wild cat that I befriended came and wanted something to eat, so I gave her some tuna. She catches mice too. I have seen her play with them. I then took my food to the sofa and I was about to put a spoonful in my mouth, when the whole house went black, BANG. I looked outside and the street lights were off. My eyes were not adjusted, but slowly they did adjust.
I took my two bowls into the kitchen and sat by the security lights. We use Alsok for our security and their system runs on batteries as well as electricity. The panel lit up the kitchen with their red and green lights - cheerful, like Christmas. I ate my dinner, thinking, "what in the heck am I going to do?" After gulping down the meal, I sat by the fire for a while with its soft red glow. Then I went to the sofa and looked outside. The moon was out and it was clear. Outside was actually brighter than inside.
Twenty minutes later, ........ ....... ...... and ...... ..... bored, bored. :-) boring, boring! And then I thought, oh, email, lets see if email works. .... and it did. I started sending emails to Ken, Sawada san, Igarashi san, my friends in Kashiwa. It was fun getting answers back. Ken was in a bar in downtown Tokyo and he sent me photos of what he was eating and drinking. Ah, the time is flying, this is fun......about an hour had passed. I was about the answer another round of email, when my PHONE WENT DEAD. The battery ran down. Oh, I thought walking to kitchen, I'll just plug it in,.... no wait, I can't do that. Isolated again.
Oh well, I sat on the sofa and put a couple of blankets around me and lay down, looking outside. It was spooky. I didn't really want to look at the windows because I might see a boogie man....--not that I believe in the boogie man -- but it was spooky feeling. Do any of you remember that Twilight Zone show where a man on an airplane sees a gremlin trying to break the wings of the plane. He closes his window, but then he takes a quick peak out, and when he opens the window, the gremlin has his face pressed to the glass - with an ugly grin. It is a real shocker. I kept half thinking I might see him..... .....But, I dozed off and suddenly, the room was light and the TV came back on. Three hours hand passed - in total. I got some tea and just went on with my life.... I watched the news for a while and then "Damages" - gosh, that is a mean show.
This morning, I heard them talking outside, again. So I called the city office and explained that I could not hear what was being announced. They apologized and told me that the next blackout will be from 4:00 to 7:00 this time. I don't really feel like going out to look for candles because of the panic buying that has been going on. I am sure there are none.... but I may take a quick drive to our local "home center" as they are called and see if there are any candles. I bet there are none to be hand....
The US Embassy has been offering flights to other Asian countries. Many language teachers in Tohoku have been told to leave by their Embassies. Some countries are sending airplanes. One Japanese man married to a woman from the UK, in my group, told his wife that he could not get her tickets to the UK. This was the first time she had heard about it. She did not know he was so worried. Since he could not get tickets, he urged her to pack some bags, take the kids, and to get on a train, go to Kyushu, which is near to Taiwan, get a ferry out and go to Singapore!!!! She was shocked! One young American mother left Thursday and said later via email that the flight was filled with families with young children......
For right now, I will be staying in Hakone. I wouldn't want to leave Ken, although he is old enough to take care of himself. Next week, Takao has a business trip and will be away. I'll just stay here.
Saitama Pref, which acts as a bed town for Tokyo commuters, as opened up its soccer stadium to people from Fukushima, who live near the nuclear plants. It is filling up. They are providing food, sleeping blankets, counseling, communication etc. etc.
Yesterday morning, there was an interesting news story:
Japan has not accepted any flights or help from any US ships at sea as of yet. But, one lone helicopter landed in one village filled to the brim with food. The mayor of the town was so happy because they had little food. The pilot and crew said, "hey, this is food for ya'll" and when unloaded they flew off. The story made all the news shows in the evening. There happened to be a camera crew there to document it all.
Also, they know about the bad press that the nuclear plant and its aftermath is getting. They showed the US official saying that Americans should be more than 50 miles from the plants. They showed the newspaper headlines from around the world.
Right now, the big story is, "why is there no looting in Japan". I can't imagine looting in Japan. Especially in Tohoku. Small towns, everybody knows everybody. And anyway, store owners are bringing all their food to the rescue centers and giving it to people anyway. Japanese believe strongly that you share the good times, but more importantly, you share the bad times, too. That is why people in Tokyo are not mad about the blackouts, because the people in Tohoku need help. (They, of course, expect Tokyo Electric to be punished for its incompetency. That is not allowed.)
Driving down the Tomei
March 17, 2011
The drive up to Hakone was uneventful. I did get got caught in two traffic jams in Kashiwa because of construction and gas station lines. But once I got on Route 16, traffic was moving well. I take the Joban Highway into Tokyo, junction with the loop line around the outer rim of Tokyo and again junction with the Tomei, which goes all the way to Kyoto and beyond.
I got onto the Joban Highway. It is closed for traffic further on because it is the main road for relief work. But since I was heading for Tokyo, it was no problem. There were remarkably few cars on the road. Mostly trucks trying to deliver stuff. I made good time to the Ebina Parking Area, on the Tomei Highway where I always like to rest and get some coffee.
I got a DOUGHNUT PLANT doughnut and a coffee. What was interesting is that the parking lot was almost empty. I could park right in front which is unheard of. Usually there are hundreds of cars and "zillions" of trucks parked there. It is a main stop along the Tomei Highway. ....BUT, there were about 200 cars lined up to buy gas. I had hoped to buy gas too, but I just kept going. When I got to Hakone Yumoto City, which is at the bottom of the Hakone mountains, I got in line with about 20 other cars at a SELF gas station (what the Japanese call a gas station where you pump the gas yourself). I topped the tank up to full again and off I went for the 20 minute drive to the top.
I belong to a group of "Foreign Wives of Japanese". There are many nationalities, US, Canada, Iran, Mexico, Swiss, UK, Rwanda, on and on. We have lunches once a month and the younger wives share information about life in Japan. We, older wives, with more experience in Japan, mostly just talk. One or two of the younger wives are going to leave Japan during this time of troubles because they are afraid of the RADS. Some of my Japanese neighbors will not leave their homes.
There was a big, level 6 in the Japanese system (7 being the biggest), quake in Shizuoka Pref, in Fuji City. I saw photos of lots of broken tiles and broken walls. That was the day before I was set to drive up here. Fuji City is just down the mountain on the other side of the Hakone mountains!!
Everyone is Tokyo keeps asking, on TV anyway, will this big quake up north trigger the Tokai fault, which is under Tokyo and is expected to happen any time now..... It seems a Tokai quake happens every 70 to 100 years. Well the last one was about 1923..... 100,000+ people died in the quake but mostly in the fires. All the experts are saying that they are not related... but...
They are also saying the this big quake was not one big quake, but actually 3 quakes that happened at almost the same time.
The drive up to Hakone was uneventful. I did get got caught in two traffic jams in Kashiwa because of construction and gas station lines. But once I got on Route 16, traffic was moving well. I take the Joban Highway into Tokyo, junction with the loop line around the outer rim of Tokyo and again junction with the Tomei, which goes all the way to Kyoto and beyond.
I got onto the Joban Highway. It is closed for traffic further on because it is the main road for relief work. But since I was heading for Tokyo, it was no problem. There were remarkably few cars on the road. Mostly trucks trying to deliver stuff. I made good time to the Ebina Parking Area, on the Tomei Highway where I always like to rest and get some coffee.
I got a DOUGHNUT PLANT doughnut and a coffee. What was interesting is that the parking lot was almost empty. I could park right in front which is unheard of. Usually there are hundreds of cars and "zillions" of trucks parked there. It is a main stop along the Tomei Highway. ....BUT, there were about 200 cars lined up to buy gas. I had hoped to buy gas too, but I just kept going. When I got to Hakone Yumoto City, which is at the bottom of the Hakone mountains, I got in line with about 20 other cars at a SELF gas station (what the Japanese call a gas station where you pump the gas yourself). I topped the tank up to full again and off I went for the 20 minute drive to the top.
I belong to a group of "Foreign Wives of Japanese". There are many nationalities, US, Canada, Iran, Mexico, Swiss, UK, Rwanda, on and on. We have lunches once a month and the younger wives share information about life in Japan. We, older wives, with more experience in Japan, mostly just talk. One or two of the younger wives are going to leave Japan during this time of troubles because they are afraid of the RADS. Some of my Japanese neighbors will not leave their homes.
There was a big, level 6 in the Japanese system (7 being the biggest), quake in Shizuoka Pref, in Fuji City. I saw photos of lots of broken tiles and broken walls. That was the day before I was set to drive up here. Fuji City is just down the mountain on the other side of the Hakone mountains!!
Everyone is Tokyo keeps asking, on TV anyway, will this big quake up north trigger the Tokai fault, which is under Tokyo and is expected to happen any time now..... It seems a Tokai quake happens every 70 to 100 years. Well the last one was about 1923..... 100,000+ people died in the quake but mostly in the fires. All the experts are saying that they are not related... but...
They are also saying the this big quake was not one big quake, but actually 3 quakes that happened at almost the same time.
Map of Damaged Areas
March 17, 2011
Here is a link to a New York Times map showing damaged areas.
The areas with larger circles were most damaged.
Either click on the title to see the map.
Here is a link to a New York Times map showing damaged areas.
The areas with larger circles were most damaged.
Either click on the title to see the map.
Leaving Tokyo, NO Looting
March 16th
A number of my husband's business colleagues are sending their families to Kyushu, far, far from this area. They loaded up their cars with everything they could carry and got on ferries that go all the way to Kyushu. I was planning on going to Hakone on the 18th anyway, so I will go for my visit a little early.
Let me tell you about the mad, panic shopping scene I saw yesterday from. I had my beading lesson yesterday - yes, I am a mad beader!!!! My friend's husband gave us a ride to our lesson just down the street a mile or two. On the way, we pass a large shopping center that has a large supermarket, Espa. Well, the line to GET INTO THE PARKING LOT, started a mile and half from the store!!!! That was the route we wanted to take, but we knew it wouldn't move for a long time so we went round about. Got to the lesson on time, no problem.
Later, my friend and I walked to the supermarket after our lesson at about 3:00, expecting no food. Well, there was no milk, but I got the carton of eggs I wanted and some chicken and an cabbage. A lady at the check out counter said that the check out lines stretched 40 and 50 people deep at each counter..... Crazy!! By 3:00, when we were there, the store was almost empty of people and had an tired air to it. There was food to buy, just not milk! But, knowing the Japanese, it was a very orderly panic buying scene.
I just heard on CNN that people are amazed that there is no looting. Well, this is Japan. If looting started, other people would most likely go and stop them.... In the little towns where most of the damage happened, most people are related to each other or have gone to school together. What most people would do is go and help clean up.
BUT, people are very upset with the bad way things are being handled by the nuclear plant people.... Tokyo Electric has a history of lying about problems. And the executives that keep showing up at the press conferences are terrible communicators. Mumbling and what they say is not clear....
A number of my husband's business colleagues are sending their families to Kyushu, far, far from this area. They loaded up their cars with everything they could carry and got on ferries that go all the way to Kyushu. I was planning on going to Hakone on the 18th anyway, so I will go for my visit a little early.
Let me tell you about the mad, panic shopping scene I saw yesterday from. I had my beading lesson yesterday - yes, I am a mad beader!!!! My friend's husband gave us a ride to our lesson just down the street a mile or two. On the way, we pass a large shopping center that has a large supermarket, Espa. Well, the line to GET INTO THE PARKING LOT, started a mile and half from the store!!!! That was the route we wanted to take, but we knew it wouldn't move for a long time so we went round about. Got to the lesson on time, no problem.
Later, my friend and I walked to the supermarket after our lesson at about 3:00, expecting no food. Well, there was no milk, but I got the carton of eggs I wanted and some chicken and an cabbage. A lady at the check out counter said that the check out lines stretched 40 and 50 people deep at each counter..... Crazy!! By 3:00, when we were there, the store was almost empty of people and had an tired air to it. There was food to buy, just not milk! But, knowing the Japanese, it was a very orderly panic buying scene.
I just heard on CNN that people are amazed that there is no looting. Well, this is Japan. If looting started, other people would most likely go and stop them.... In the little towns where most of the damage happened, most people are related to each other or have gone to school together. What most people would do is go and help clean up.
BUT, people are very upset with the bad way things are being handled by the nuclear plant people.... Tokyo Electric has a history of lying about problems. And the executives that keep showing up at the press conferences are terrible communicators. Mumbling and what they say is not clear....
Panic Buying
March 15, 2011
Well, it is Tuesday morning here in Japan.
Almost 9:00 in the morning.
Yesterday, the electric company was going to start some brownouts or "planned blackouts" as they are calling them. Our area, Kashiwa, North Chiba, was on the list. But, they did not add this area to the blackout list for some reason. We were waiting and ready for it. But nothing happened. They did it in other areas, I guess.
We ARE on the list for today. 12:00 noon to 4:00 in the afternoon. They keep saying, some time in that time slot. So it may not be the whole time.
I have pots and pans filled with water. I washed the tub very well and that is filled to. If the electricity does go out, water will be a problem.
But, yesterday was interesting (if you can say that) from another point. Panic buying started and I must say, it was a bit scary.
I did not give into. All I wanted and needed was one carton of milk for my tea. The previous day, everything was sold out because the panic had already started. I went to my local supermarket at 10:30 (they opened at 10:00), good ol' Keihoku. Well, every single parking place was filled, I got in, but several other cars rammed in behind me. I thought "enough of this". I mean, the car behind me was trying to take any spot. I though, "yes, sir, you go for it." and I left the parking lot. A friend lives near by. I left my car there and walked to the store. Well, the milk had sold out in 15 minutes they said. There was no bread or eggs.... So I left. Yesterday a friend saw a woman with 15 loaves of bread. She kept asking me, what will she do with so much bread.... Exactly. Another friend in another part of town saw a woman with her shopping cart filled to the brim with GRAPEFRUIT. My goodness. The silly season!!!
I can do without milk so I went home. I didn't need anything else, so I bought nothing. But I also saw the long lines of people just waiting to get into the store.... my goodness.....
Later that day, I dropped by a tiny mom and pop place that had run out of milk the day before and they had tons and tons of milk. I got my carton of milk and now I am a happy camper!!!! :-)
Most of the trains were not running yesterday. The reason for that is because they were trying to reduce the amount of electricity being used. Today, the Joban Train Line (my train line) will be running at 20% capacity.
A lot of people are wary of what Tokyo Electric has been saying. They have lied in the past about problems. Lets hope that will not be the case here.
Well, it is Tuesday morning here in Japan.
Almost 9:00 in the morning.
Yesterday, the electric company was going to start some brownouts or "planned blackouts" as they are calling them. Our area, Kashiwa, North Chiba, was on the list. But, they did not add this area to the blackout list for some reason. We were waiting and ready for it. But nothing happened. They did it in other areas, I guess.
We ARE on the list for today. 12:00 noon to 4:00 in the afternoon. They keep saying, some time in that time slot. So it may not be the whole time.
I have pots and pans filled with water. I washed the tub very well and that is filled to. If the electricity does go out, water will be a problem.
But, yesterday was interesting (if you can say that) from another point. Panic buying started and I must say, it was a bit scary.
I did not give into. All I wanted and needed was one carton of milk for my tea. The previous day, everything was sold out because the panic had already started. I went to my local supermarket at 10:30 (they opened at 10:00), good ol' Keihoku. Well, every single parking place was filled, I got in, but several other cars rammed in behind me. I thought "enough of this". I mean, the car behind me was trying to take any spot. I though, "yes, sir, you go for it." and I left the parking lot. A friend lives near by. I left my car there and walked to the store. Well, the milk had sold out in 15 minutes they said. There was no bread or eggs.... So I left. Yesterday a friend saw a woman with 15 loaves of bread. She kept asking me, what will she do with so much bread.... Exactly. Another friend in another part of town saw a woman with her shopping cart filled to the brim with GRAPEFRUIT. My goodness. The silly season!!!
I can do without milk so I went home. I didn't need anything else, so I bought nothing. But I also saw the long lines of people just waiting to get into the store.... my goodness.....
Later that day, I dropped by a tiny mom and pop place that had run out of milk the day before and they had tons and tons of milk. I got my carton of milk and now I am a happy camper!!!! :-)
Most of the trains were not running yesterday. The reason for that is because they were trying to reduce the amount of electricity being used. Today, the Joban Train Line (my train line) will be running at 20% capacity.
A lot of people are wary of what Tokyo Electric has been saying. They have lied in the past about problems. Lets hope that will not be the case here.
Blackouts
March 13, 2011
Well, things are getting a little bad.
But, things must be getting a little better too.
Panic buying has started.
There were long lines at the gas stations.
We also quickly filled up our cars.
Also there is panic buying of food. Yesterday, I went shopping and there wasn't much food. The Japanese shop every day for most food items. They buy what they are going to use that day, on that day. There was no milk or eggs or bread or instant noodles to speak of. I got a few things. I am okay.
Once the blackouts start, driving will be a problem. Traffic lights will not work in some cases. And the ill at home who rely on machines to breath will have a hard time. Also, water will not run during the blackout in some cases, we have been told.
My area is set for 3:00 to 7:00 at night. Great! :-(
I'll just sit in the dark for a while.
Some areas will have two blackouts a day, morning 6:30 to 10:00 and 5:30 to 8:00.
Also, times may change each day.
I have never been one to give into this sort of thing. I don't feel the need to run out and buy everything JUST IN CASE. I have enough to get by. I am sure we will all be okay.
I saw Ken on Sunday and he is fine. His apartment is fine. The rest of the clan is fine. My husband's mom lost all of her fine dishes when they fell out of the cabinets, but other than that, there has been surprisingly little damage. Oh, Takao's younger brother is afraid to venture outside and did not come to the "grave cleaning" ceremony that happens twice a year in Japan. His whole family was afraid of aftershocks and they refused to leave their home..... Perhaps a little too much worry, I think. Everyone was surprised at their reaction.
Well, things are getting a little bad.
But, things must be getting a little better too.
Panic buying has started.
There were long lines at the gas stations.
We also quickly filled up our cars.
Also there is panic buying of food. Yesterday, I went shopping and there wasn't much food. The Japanese shop every day for most food items. They buy what they are going to use that day, on that day. There was no milk or eggs or bread or instant noodles to speak of. I got a few things. I am okay.
Once the blackouts start, driving will be a problem. Traffic lights will not work in some cases. And the ill at home who rely on machines to breath will have a hard time. Also, water will not run during the blackout in some cases, we have been told.
My area is set for 3:00 to 7:00 at night. Great! :-(
I'll just sit in the dark for a while.
Some areas will have two blackouts a day, morning 6:30 to 10:00 and 5:30 to 8:00.
Also, times may change each day.
I have never been one to give into this sort of thing. I don't feel the need to run out and buy everything JUST IN CASE. I have enough to get by. I am sure we will all be okay.
I saw Ken on Sunday and he is fine. His apartment is fine. The rest of the clan is fine. My husband's mom lost all of her fine dishes when they fell out of the cabinets, but other than that, there has been surprisingly little damage. Oh, Takao's younger brother is afraid to venture outside and did not come to the "grave cleaning" ceremony that happens twice a year in Japan. His whole family was afraid of aftershocks and they refused to leave their home..... Perhaps a little too much worry, I think. Everyone was surprised at their reaction.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
8:30 in the Evening
March 11, 2011
It is 8:30 in the evening here.
Every time I sit down at the computer I have aftershocks to deal with. I can feel a tension in the air or in the house. It always feels like the earth is on a tight wire.
I just saw what happened in Yokohama, the road cracked opened about a foot or two. There was a department store or something next to the crack. Well, that is no good!
No one can get home. All the trains are stopped. People are milling about with no where to go. Major highways are all closed. People have been waiting for 3 or more hours for buses. The bus companies are putting on extra buses but they can't keep up.
They are reporting tsunami of 10m in some northern areas. That is more than 30 feet. With bigger tsunami to come.
Ken is going to stay the night at the office with all the rest of the staff. Takao wanted to take him home in his taxi but Ken wouldn't/couldn't go. Said he had work. He said that he would be okay with everybody else.
Some other people who I have exchanged email with were hit much harder than me. One woman I know who lives near me lost every single dish and cup and plate because they all fell out of her cabinets. I did not suffer anything like that, part luck and part Takao's preparation. We have a large dish cabinet in the living room, all glassed in with all kinds of pottery and glass stuff. Takao has had it attached to the wall with little chains at the top. Things moved around inside but nothing broke and the cabinet did not fall over. In fact, no furniture fell over.
It is 8:30 in the evening here.
Every time I sit down at the computer I have aftershocks to deal with. I can feel a tension in the air or in the house. It always feels like the earth is on a tight wire.
I just saw what happened in Yokohama, the road cracked opened about a foot or two. There was a department store or something next to the crack. Well, that is no good!
No one can get home. All the trains are stopped. People are milling about with no where to go. Major highways are all closed. People have been waiting for 3 or more hours for buses. The bus companies are putting on extra buses but they can't keep up.
They are reporting tsunami of 10m in some northern areas. That is more than 30 feet. With bigger tsunami to come.
Ken is going to stay the night at the office with all the rest of the staff. Takao wanted to take him home in his taxi but Ken wouldn't/couldn't go. Said he had work. He said that he would be okay with everybody else.
Some other people who I have exchanged email with were hit much harder than me. One woman I know who lives near me lost every single dish and cup and plate because they all fell out of her cabinets. I did not suffer anything like that, part luck and part Takao's preparation. We have a large dish cabinet in the living room, all glassed in with all kinds of pottery and glass stuff. Takao has had it attached to the wall with little chains at the top. Things moved around inside but nothing broke and the cabinet did not fall over. In fact, no furniture fell over.
Two Hours after the Quake
March 11, 2011
2 hours after the quake
As I said earlier, this is really a blog about my beading adventures, but I live and work in Japan and after the big earthquake in northern Japan, I have been keeping my family in the States updated via email everyday. My sister said I should write a blog. I have never really done this.
I want to start at the beginning.
A couple of hours have passed after the quake. The phones don't work.
But happy surprise, email works. And works fine.
Here is an email I sent to my family in the States, typed during an aftershock:
----
I was able to contact my son rather quickly with email later since he has an iPad. My husband was another matter. I found out later that he and his whole staff had gone outside, like most people would do in Tokyo, because the buildings sway so much.
My husband's company is very well prepared. Each and every employee has a helmet, a sleeping bag. The company has food and water for just such emergencies.
They stayed outside for a while. Once back in the office, I could contact my husband by email and find out that he was okay. I also told him that our son was okay too.
What a relief!
2 hours after the quake
As I said earlier, this is really a blog about my beading adventures, but I live and work in Japan and after the big earthquake in northern Japan, I have been keeping my family in the States updated via email everyday. My sister said I should write a blog. I have never really done this.
I want to start at the beginning.
A couple of hours have passed after the quake. The phones don't work.
But happy surprise, email works. And works fine.
Here is an email I sent to my family in the States, typed during an aftershock:
----
bad ones keep coming. aftershocks.----
our house is okay, but I don't know about Ken and Takao.
There are fires in Tokyo
I was able to contact my son rather quickly with email later since he has an iPad. My husband was another matter. I found out later that he and his whole staff had gone outside, like most people would do in Tokyo, because the buildings sway so much.
My husband's company is very well prepared. Each and every employee has a helmet, a sleeping bag. The company has food and water for just such emergencies.
They stayed outside for a while. Once back in the office, I could contact my husband by email and find out that he was okay. I also told him that our son was okay too.
What a relief!
The Earthquake Hits
March 11th, 2011
After lunch.
I was sitting at my computer on the second floor working on an email when the earthquake hit. It wasn't like anything that have ever happened to me before. And believe me, after 44 years of experience with earthquakes in Japan, I know what a "normal" earthquake feels like.
I have turned my son's second floor room into a hobby/computer room where I can keep my beading supplies and work on my projects. There is a large sliding glass window facing the back yard. I was sitting in an old office chair which faces a work table. The chair is the kind that has rollers. I also have a computer desk on the side.
And I was being rolled around on the floor which felt like jelly or "konyaku" - a kind of vegetable jelly-like food. It felt like I was on "gushy" sand and water. The floor felt funny. Not real.
I remembered that I was supposed to open the door or window so that I could "escape" in case the house tilted. I couldn't stand up. I had to roll the chair over to the lock and open the window. Just then, my neighbors roof tiles fell down into our yard with a roar! I just couldn't believe it.
And the shaking didn't stop. It just kept on going. Earthquakes are over pretty quickly in Japan. That is the way it is. But this one just wouldn't quit. I had to hold on to the table to keep steady.
I turned to my computer and tried to send out some emails. I couldn't believe it - somehow I could type, quick, broken messages. But I did get some emails out to friends in the neighborhood and to my family.
Suddenly, it went as fast as it came. All was quite.
I ran downstairs and outside. Everyone was outside. I ran around the house to the back to find the lady who lived in the house where the tiles fell down. I wandered if she was okay. I knocked on her door and told her that her roof tiles fell down. She couldn't believe it. I had to help her climb the stairs of a another neighbor's house, so she could see her roof. She was flabbergasted.
All of my neighbors were checking on each other. "Are you okay?" It seemed that most people had suffered no personal damage. Somethings had fallen off their bookshelves. I hadn't checked anything in our house. I walked back home in a daze. I looked at the walls. It looked okay.
Inside, there were things on the floor but it seemed nothing was seriously broken. Upstairs in Ken's room, heavy things had fallen from the bookshelves - like Ken's motorcycle helmet, but nothing broke. I do not remember hearing anything fall during the quake. Nothing at all. Everything was silent during the quake. Strange.
After lunch.
I was sitting at my computer on the second floor working on an email when the earthquake hit. It wasn't like anything that have ever happened to me before. And believe me, after 44 years of experience with earthquakes in Japan, I know what a "normal" earthquake feels like.
I have turned my son's second floor room into a hobby/computer room where I can keep my beading supplies and work on my projects. There is a large sliding glass window facing the back yard. I was sitting in an old office chair which faces a work table. The chair is the kind that has rollers. I also have a computer desk on the side.
And I was being rolled around on the floor which felt like jelly or "konyaku" - a kind of vegetable jelly-like food. It felt like I was on "gushy" sand and water. The floor felt funny. Not real.
I remembered that I was supposed to open the door or window so that I could "escape" in case the house tilted. I couldn't stand up. I had to roll the chair over to the lock and open the window. Just then, my neighbors roof tiles fell down into our yard with a roar! I just couldn't believe it.
And the shaking didn't stop. It just kept on going. Earthquakes are over pretty quickly in Japan. That is the way it is. But this one just wouldn't quit. I had to hold on to the table to keep steady.
I turned to my computer and tried to send out some emails. I couldn't believe it - somehow I could type, quick, broken messages. But I did get some emails out to friends in the neighborhood and to my family.
Suddenly, it went as fast as it came. All was quite.
I ran downstairs and outside. Everyone was outside. I ran around the house to the back to find the lady who lived in the house where the tiles fell down. I wandered if she was okay. I knocked on her door and told her that her roof tiles fell down. She couldn't believe it. I had to help her climb the stairs of a another neighbor's house, so she could see her roof. She was flabbergasted.
All of my neighbors were checking on each other. "Are you okay?" It seemed that most people had suffered no personal damage. Somethings had fallen off their bookshelves. I hadn't checked anything in our house. I walked back home in a daze. I looked at the walls. It looked okay.
Inside, there were things on the floor but it seemed nothing was seriously broken. Upstairs in Ken's room, heavy things had fallen from the bookshelves - like Ken's motorcycle helmet, but nothing broke. I do not remember hearing anything fall during the quake. Nothing at all. Everything was silent during the quake. Strange.
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