Tokyo is ok - Japan not (yet)

This morning we experienced a small earthquake again nearby Tokyo (5.7 magnitude). It was only a very soft shaking in our office. Many colleagues only looked up shortly and then continued with their discussions or work.

Life in Tokyo and the metropolitan area of Tokyo is back to normal since a few weeks ago already. It was very surprising for me how fast the Japanese people went back to their normal life style.

Of course we had the fear of radiation in tap water and many bought water, or all necessary other items like bread, milk products, etc. But this situation is stable and completely back to normal now. I talked to my friend Oskari a few days ago and he mentioned “it is normal, but still you have this strange feeling that it is not the same as before”. I can agree to this, as we all know that the affected areas of the earthquake still need much more time for recovery and we also know that the nuclear power plant is not fully under control yet. Many people (including myself) have the opinion, that the nuclear situation is not getting worse or better, it needs much more time to be completely solved.

  

But what do you want to do? Worry the entire day? Leave?

There is no increased radiation level in Tokyo and nothing detected in the tap water anymore (source) – therefore we do what we can do best: continue with our life and help Japan and the entire world with it.

Kaori on her way to Tohoku to help

On Tuesday evening we met Kaori Doi, who is volunteering for the NGO “日本ユニバ震災対策チーム” (NUC - Nihon Univa Counter Crisis Team). She was already active as a supporter in an evacuation center during the big Kobe Earthquake (16 years ago) and now she is engaged again, “but the situation is completely different”.

I personally have the feeling (like Stephan explained in his last blog entry) that many people do not fully understand the reality and underestimate the need of support. 

Kaori explained during our discussion that “the tsunami washed away many kilometers of houses and cities, where people lived. This area will be difficult to re-construct in a short time and therefore many people need to continue to live in the evacuation camps with very limited privacy and difficult circumstances. This will be much longer than 16 years ago (in Kobe, there was neither Tsunami nor Nuclear catastrophe)”.

Just imagine that you have to live in a gym or school with many other people for more than 2 months and you do not know how much longer…

There is a high emotional stress level in these evacuations camps now.

Kaori explained to us based on her experience in Kobe that during the first 2 weeks many people just want to survive and try to contact family members, etc. But then they start to live in the camps and you need more privacy. People “discover” behaviors on others (with whom they live together in the camp or even sleep next to them night by night) which are “annoying” to them. Therefore Kaori and other volunteers tried 16 years ago in Kobe to create separations. They organized mats for more comfort, etc.  All this is needed in order to calm people down and to let them “relax” a little bit.

I also read in some articles on the internet that NGOs started to give foot massages to these “refugees”, as these moments of relaxations are very important (especially if you still feel the aftershocks). It is important to work on the mental balance.

And all this will take much longer this time, because a tsunami hit and destroyed their houses and lands. The radiation problem is an additional problem which worsens the situation even more and makes it impossible for some people to come back to their houses (maybe ever).

Some people tell me sometimes in emails or discussion forums:

“Japan is a rich country and we better donate & help countries in Africa or somewhere else”

Well, yes. Japan is a rich country, but many people died and left sad people behind. Many people lost everything and cannot even return to the area where they spent their entire life. Many people are and will suffer from the mental stress and traumatic experiences for months. It is a long dragging process, but the willingness of help is decreasing.

In my opinion, Japan is in need for help. It is a different help. It is called (International) Solidarity and Caring. The longer the situation is continuing, the more of this kind of support is needed... especially for children!

(Pictures are taken from other Internet Pages: CTV, Kyodo News)

...experience as a volunteer in Japan...

A few days ago, I wrote already about a friend of mine, Stephan, who went together with an organization called Peaceboat to Ishinomaki. He helped to clean up the streets, talked to the kids and supported the locals. He is very much involved in helping the community here and I asked him to write a short article about his view on the things now.

Please read below and share with us your opinion or experience. What do you think about his view? Did you experience something similar or do you have a complete different opinion about the situation?

Now, we ask Stephan to speak up and share his experience:

"After five weeks going to Ishinomaki and coming back, live and work shifts into a blurry zone of meaningless considering the relief effort in need caused by the devastated tsunami from mid march. Speaking with a lot of volunteers, they seem to have difficulties to concentrate in the first week after the returned to their "normal" work. Useless, minor, narrowed down to be back in their offices.

What we experienced in terms of solidarity and teamwork seems to be unrepeatable in the daily labor. So the all over tone of everybody is. "I wanna go back, I felt so useful in this week, they need more help then my boss." Are we caught in chains, why is it so easy to evolve mutual international respect and togetherness in a situation where are you sticking to basic of living? Is it maybe the common sense to help those in need with the necessary supplies of food and human motivation saying, you are not alone, we think of you?

This is not an empiric study; I only encounter what I experienced. Though I get in line with these volunteers. At the end of June, I will go again to Ishinomaki and will definitely release my second promise.

Soon after the quake my parents in Germany set up a donation account for my family and friends. The account will be closed at the end of May. My mother called me this week and said that about 3.500, Euros already has been raised. I didn't expect this. I was amazed. The money will go towards the Minato Elementary School in Ishinomaki to keep up running the daily school duties and may provide pupils with materials. So I will go again to Ishinomaki, I will do the regular volunteer work and visit the Elementary School to supply the donation by myself.

It's probably trust what makes the difference. There are people in Germany, knowing that I do live in Japan and will find an appropriate occasion to donate the collected money. No question, the bigger organizations like Red Cross as well as Peaceboat do an amazing job and help the people where they can. Though a lot of people who would love to donate searching for a private initiative and somebody they can trust.

Therefore I emphasize everybody who wants to contribute to find a person of trust and then provide donations directly to a local school, private person or cooperate. And build up trust over a longer period then just couple of months.

What is obvious now is that the catastrophe from two months ago is more and more out of the media and only the reactor is worth some news. The amount of volunteers at Peaceboat decreased after the Golden Week. This is a long term project. And it may take two or three times to provide your duty in this exceptional situation.

I was also curious about the Japanese behaviors. Yesterday I witnessed a scene with a French guy who nearly screamed at two Japanese that they shall go to Tohoku and help. The two Japanese bowed fast and whispered “hai hai” as an acknowledgment that they heard what was said without agreeing. Then they said they would love to go but they do not get free from work and if they do on their own, they might lose their job.

So maybe it would be a good thing to doctrine the Japanese people, in an authority society like the Japanese one, from above. Emphasize management's to form teams for volunteer work and take this as an act of corporate social responsibility. It pushes the morality of employees and gives the company a good reputation. And it might help in an authoritarian society.

The volunteers already went can act as a multiplier, as facilitators and presenters about the experienced work in Tohouku hat everybody who goes is highly appreciated and act in the name of humanity and understanding among nations for Japan. This can be a chance."

Small Ideas with Big Impact

At the moment I am on my vacations in Germany, but met many people and schools which wants to help and exactly this is what we want to achieve: children worldwide helping children in Japan.

I just like to give some examples of the great help which we are receiving for the school kids in Japan:

• Elementary School in Lohe (Germany) organized a flea market
• A colleague of us in Italy is planning to host a charity party
• The Heinrich Boell School in Goettingen (Germany) organized a charity cafe
• The Elementary School in Benkhausen (Germany) did hold a church service and collected a donation for our project
• A French DJ is planning to organize a charity event
• Gesamtschule Porta Westfalica (Germany) is planning to coordinate picture paintings and a small concert or party
• Schuetzenverein Nettelstedt (Shooting Club) - Germany - organized a ballon competition, sold flower chains and collected donations four our cause
• Janika sold private toys and things at a local flea market in Germany
• Schools in Egypt, Vietnam, US, Germany, France, Singapore, ... are painting pictures for the kids in Japan
• Herlitz is donating 1000 School Cones
• DHL is coordinating the logistics
• ...and many more private donators

We like to thank you to all of you for your courage, motivation and support. AND we promise that we will deliver all of your help to the kids personally.

Please have a look at some of the activities below.

 

   

Clean Up in Japan

Thursday last week, I met a friend from Germany, who is also working in Japan. He decided to go up to the North and help to clean up a town called Ishinomaki. He did this together with an organization, which was also very active during the Kobe Earthquake and has a lot of experience: Peace Boat (http://www.peaceboat.org).

It is very interesting to listen to his stories how he had to prepare himself for the trip ("you need to have everything for yourself for one week like dry food, water, etc. and it was so difficult to find water in Japan. I went to several supermarkets to collect everywhere my small bottles until I had 12 liters") or how he lived in a small tent and heard the after shocks coming ("in the evening you are lying in your sleeping bag, and then you hear the earthquake coming by small rumbles before it really starts to shake below you").

Please have a look at his blog and read more about his trip: Stephan's Blog 

We also talked a bit about our project and he likes the idea. Stephan told me that he visited an elementary school and the teachers asked them to speak a little bit of English with them. It was a lesson with laughters and he believes that this can help the kids a bit: smiles and a bit of fun.

He gave me a contact of the head of a this school in Ishinomaki and told me that the head would be very happy, if we contact him, but of course we need to go via the educational board of the region beforehand and we will definitely do this.

Safety Concerns

One questions, which I always get asked by friends is, how we deal with the radiation fear and if it is dangerous in Tokyo.

I can always answer very confident, that I do not live in fear and that Tokyo is safe. Tokyo is almost 300 km from the Fukushima Nuclear Plant and the measured levels are very low. I also believe that nobody can lie on these facts, as we have too many journalists in town who also measure all the time the radition in air and water. If there would be the slighest mis-communication by any official in Tokyo, then they would publish it immediately. They wait for this...

At the same time, the levels are not very good nearby the nuclear plant, as you can see on below graphic (http://japan.failedrobot.com/):

Tokyo and Yokohama have white tags, which means that the radiation levels are below the average, but in the area of Fukushima you see yellow and orange tags (up to 4.7 micro Sv outside of the evacuation zone).

Yesterday I wrote about our friend, Yusuke, who lives in this area and does not feel very safe, but he has the personal feeling not to leave his friends, family and responsiblity behind. He might not be in direct danger as the radiation is decreasing these days, but many people have saftey concerns and espcially for the children. Today I could read in the newspaper about the precautions of the government, which makes me worried for the people and especially for their emotions:

"Outdoor school activities limited in Fukushima"

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20_22.html

The school kids are not allowed to play outside for long time and as well not allowed to use swimmingpools, etc. Of course, this is depressing and the kids need a lot of care. Because of this, people like Yusuke and all other helper are so important for the children and all people there.

Please let us thank them and pray for them today.  

How is life in Fukushima now?

Today we met a friend, Yusuke, who lives in Koriyama-shi, Fukushima which is located about 60km inland from the coastal line, the Tsunami impacted area, and the Fukushima #1 nuclear power plant.

It was an emotional meeting for us as he experienced the earthquake on March 11 at the kindergarten where he works. Yusuke is a very positive and caring guy, He looks forward and tries to help the environment & community. This impressed us very much.

On that day, when the 9.0 Earthquake happened, they took and carried all the kids outside to the playground. It was difficult to walk while the earth was shaking. Outside, it was still cold and a couple hours later it started to snow. All the electricity, Gas line & Water were dead, including phone lines.

Fortunately they did not have any damage from the tsunami but they had or still have difficult times from all the daily after shocks (there are 5-6 shocks per day, which he can feel) and the fear of radiation.  

He said when the earthquake comes he can "hear" them coming, earth rumbles.

The life for the little children is not quite the same as before. Their board of education has decided not to let the kids play outside, all the swimming pools are closed, and having kids wearing masks all the time. It is difficult for them, but at least many of the kids are too young to understand the entire consequences of earthquakes and they are not panicking.

The worst is the fear of the radiation: they calculated if the situation doesn't change, they would be exposed to radiation 2-3 micro sievert per every hour, sums up in 1 year to 20-25 mili sievert. This is the reality but still, nobody is telling them how to prevent or what exactly will happen to their health. They hear nothing from the government or Tepco, no reliable information, he feels the government is not telling them enough. 

My question to him was, of course: "Did you ever consider to leave your hometown?"

He answered to us: "Well, I am scared about this whole situation but I can not just leave. My family owns the kindergarten where the parents of these kids rely on. Some are doctors and nurses, some are member of the Self-Defense Forces. People need them and they need us. If I was there just alone, it would be easy, I would have left already."

This shows Japanese mentality and attitude which they should be very proud of: 

Many of them care for others very much. They are brave and responsible for their families and community. I can not imagine any other country would be that strong (but to be fair, it is a unique situation and I hope that it will stay unique forever.)

Although, any other nations and governments might have reacted complete different to the situation, starting from evacuating further areas... but today I do not want to put the emphasis of this post on arguing on the Japanese governmental decision of the evacuation radius, but praise the Japanese gracious attitude and caring nature.

People there still have to live, they have to go to work to live their lives. Who would help them if they leave their city and go to else where... Government subsidy is only for people who lived in 30km evacuated zone.

What would you do? Suffer your own health and live like it is or suffer your own home and leave your family, friends and community behind? 

I want to end this post with an outlook on our project. 

Yusuke was very happy with our idea and engagement. He will help in Fukushima to identify the right schools and the right needs (what we should put into the cones). He said, that many kids from the evacuation zones are in schools all over Fukushima now and the schools are packed with kids, many don't have enough and schools are short of  stationaries etc. 

Yusuke thinks that many schools will be interested in receiving these school cones. Now he is looking forward to seeing many happy faces which he believes school cones will bring.

1015 Earthquakes (since 11th of March)

Today I like to address a topic, which many of you asked me before: how safe do you feel in Tokyo? I would like to address the issues with the earthquakes today and tomorrow I will talk more about the radiation fear.

To start with: You will never be safe when we talk about earthquakes in Japan, but this is what you accept when you live here.

I believe that there is no other country which is so well prepared as Japan and all the buildings seem to be very stable and well designed for quakes. Of course, we are always scared when we feel an earthquake, but I think this is normal as you never know if it will get stronger and how long your building is shaking now. Just imagine you sit in a boat with no windows and someone tells you it will be rough sea. Everything is swaying and you never know how long more and if the next wave gets higher. This is a bit how we feel. Well, the only difference is that a building is usually stable and you do not expect to be on a boat from one to the other minute.

A colleague of mine told me yesterday that there is a prediction for a 9.4 magnitude quake directly in or very nearby Tokyo. Of course then there will be a lot of damage, injuries & death, but as I mentioned, you need to accept this risk when you start living in Japan and therefore nobody will run away because of a prediction, which is anyhow speculated for many years already.

At the moment the amount and strength of earthquakes are decreasing and I hope that this will continue to decrease. Not necessarily for me, but especially for the people in the North of Japan who suffered enough.

Here is a link about the 1015 earthquakes which happened since the 11th of March:

http://www.japanquakemap.com/

What is quite scary for me, is the fact that almost all earthquakes hit in the same/similar area and this is also causing the drowsiness of the people in that area. I read today that some people imagine that there are quake 24/7 now, just because the earth did shake so often.

So let's hope and pray for these people that we will be able to look into a brighter and more peaceful future for this region and Japan.