Japan Since March 11th

About five months ago, the north east region of Japan was devastated with a 9.0 earthquake and a tsunami. Although Japan is the nation with the most precautions and safety towards earthquakes, tsunamis were clearly a different experience. The Tohoku Earthqauke (Great East Japan Earthquake) as it is now called, was the most powerful known earthquake to have hit Japan, and one of the most powerful earthquakes in the world. Many people do not understand how strong a 9.0 earthquake or what an earthquake feels like. Living in Japan for nearly our entire lives, earthquakes are natural to Alpha. But, living specially in Kobe, we actually knew how dangerous and disastrous a 9.0 earthquake is. On January 17, 1995, the area of Kobe (Hanshin) experienced a 7.3 earthquake - this was the worst earthquake Japan experience since the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923. It was horrible - the entire city was ruined, complete locations destroyed, 140,000 lives taken away. You can still see the damage today, and Kobe itself has many memorials to those who have died  - we never forget. So, I feel that out of all the places in Japan, Kobe and the Hanshin area knew what to expect...from only the earthquake. No one in Japan could expect the tragedy of the tsunami...

Once again, Alpha understood the terror of tsunamis - we were all living in Japan when the tsunami hit Thailand in 2004...in fact we knew people who were in Thailand when it came, we knew people who lost their loved ones and would be forever scarred. We've often had tsunami drills at our school, but I guess none of us ever thought that one day - in our lifetime - that an actual tsunami would hit Japan. And when it did...well, we suffered with our beloved country. Everywhere you went, you knew that everyone was in pain. Walking down from my house, there were a couple of smiles but deep down you could feel that people were mourning. Every morning having to witness the destruction and terror, the tear stained faces of those living in Tohoku...my heart broke everyday. I think the worst part was no one could really do anything to help.

After the Earthquake and Tsunami

Five months later.  It took about five years to clean up the Hanshin area. It took about ten years for the majority of area to return to a normal way of life. Some people would still argue that the area still hasn't fully recovered from the quake...and it's been 14 years. And that was only because of 7.3 earthquake. Imagine the combined destruction of a 9.0 earthquake and a stronger tsunami. Japan's National Police Agency stated on April 3rd of this year that 45,700 buildings were destroyed and 144,300 were damaged by the quake and tsunami. The combination created an estimated 24 to 25 million tons of rubble and debris in Japan. It has been confirmed that 15,689 died, 5,714 injured and 4,744 are missing. And the troubles keep rising from nuclear melt downs to inability to attain resources. 

I remember at the beginning, only money could help. No one was allowed in the area unless they were a professional. It's come to the point where if you wish to help, the only task your assigned to is cleaning up - cleaning up here meaning clearing out people's homes, cars, appliances...people's lives. This is always the first step into making a new city - but it still hurts to know this. Recovery begins from starting new I suppose. It will take time and hard work - and a lot of money. The estimated cost could exceed $300 billion, making this the most expensive natural disaster on record. 

I can't help but smile when I see support from all over the world. It makes me so proud of humanity when I see the love and help from others. From fashion designers donating money and garments to commercials from Hollywood stars expressing how Japan is in their hopes and prayers. To see man kind love and be compassionate, it's a breath of fresh air and make my eyes fill will tears of happiness. It will be long and hard for many years, but knowing that there are people out there who are thinking about Japan and donating all kinds of things - it does bring comfort and hope. I really do wish that this will continue until Tohoku can be independent and stable again. 

Hope For Japan

I love my country. I love the culture, the people, the nature - whether peaceful or cruel. I know as long as I have that little part of Japan in my blood, I will always keep everything about Japan close to my heart. 

愛してるよ日本。がんばって。

Love, 

アルファ