Hope for a Brighter Future
Having made Japan our home now for over 17 years, we are no strangers to the strength of the Japanese character. There is a positive force in this society to get on with things despite hardship. Even when the Hiroshima Hibakusha survivors talk of the A-bomb and radiation, contamination and difficult years that followed- they don’t attach blame or resentment. To me, as an American resident of the Hiroshima community, this is surprising and a great example of the character strength of the Japanese people.
The earthquake and tsunami in the North followed by the radiation has had more longterm effects than most natural disasters. There have been continuing problems with shutting down the nuclear power plants, contamination of vegetables, fish stocks, soil, seawater and even tap water has been contaminated as far away as Tokyo. The radiation has also slowed relief efforts and has hindered food, water and supplies from reaching survivors. It has also hurt the economy as exports have also been contaminated with radiation and this has damaged the high quality image of products from Japan in general.
Skies full of pink blossoms, views of Hiroshima
At first I was so frustrated by the “business as usual” approach my colleagues and people in the community here had. The distance seemed to stop people from caring too much about what was happening other than to comment on how “awful” or “scary” it was. But I have since been encouraged by the contributions and proactive volunteerism of the people here. University students forfeiting their usual events at graduation parties to donate the money they would have spent instead to the Red Cross; the huge number of residents donating blankets, towels, dry food and bottled water at the Hiroshima Carp baseball stadium last week; people sending warm clothes to the Salvation Army and dry food to Second Harvest as well as to other charities, friends or family in the North from the Takkyubin delivery office.
I was actually in Australia as an escort to Japanese students on a home stay program when the earthquake and tsunami ravaged the Tohoku coastline. It was unbelievable to watch unfold on Australian news. The generosity of the local families offering to keep our students longer was heartwarming as we contemplated the safety of flying back to Japan amid radiation fears.
These Australians in the Queensland area suffered horrible flooding, powerful cyclone “Yasi” and had been strongly affected by the earthquake disaster in neighboring Christchurch. However, it was the nuclear radiation fears that made the Japan situation seem so much worse, even hopeless to them.
Thinking back, the problems of the Kobe Hanshin earthquake in ‘95 were easier to overcome because there was no nuclear fallout. The problems this time will be much longer lasting as still details of power plant problems and recovery difficulties are unfolding each day.
Creating clean, safe energy for us and our community
I am hoping that rebuilding efforts will be based on safe choices that help build a safe future for Japan. Since Solar is already a big industry in Japan and the government is a world leader in incentives for individuals and companies to invest; not to mention has a few exciting solar farming projects being built, the economy can be rejuvenated by solar and wind farming powering the country instead of nuclear reactors. Japan can lead the world in clean energy and green innovation. And most importantly, the Japanese government can use the positive momentum created by its people to rebuild itself to be better and safer than ever.
Thinking of traveling to Japan
Hanami Parties to Enjoy the Blooming Cherry Trees
The cherry blossoms are starting to bloom soon and it is a hugely popular time to visit Japan for foreign tourists, but Tokyo and areas in Northern Honshu have canceled events and usual festivals this year. However, areas further south are welcoming many more visitors than usual this year as tourists flock to more southern regions like Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Ehime, Fukuoka, Kagoshima and Okinawa instead.
The American and British Embassies and even the most conservative governments are asking people to stay away from the nuclear reactors in the North of Honshu at least by 100 km (62 miles). This should not affect the area of Tokyo, Yokohama and Chiba (where Disney Sea and Disney Land are) but since they have had some contamination in the tap water levels, it is important to keep that in mind and drink bottled drinks like water, juices and teas when in the area. However there will be rolling blackouts in Tokyo and areas on Honshu to the North expected through August, 2011.
The Japanese government assures that vegetables, eggs, fish, milk and food stuffs that have been contaminated have been banned from domestic and international shipments. So you shouldn’t have to worry when eating out or buying groceries when traveling in the Southern Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu or Okinawa island areas.
Kids all over the world are fascinated by the sea and the creatures that live there. This is no different in Japan, maybe even more so since everyone here is surrounded by marine life, culture and the traditions and foods associated with it.
