Stubborn, Naive, Insensitive Me

Last week I was frustrated about how my friends' family and friends were demanding them to leave Japan, so I decided to contact some press. Here was my plea:

Dear Michael,

How are you? Are things well in San Diego?I am currently in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher of English through the JET Programme. My friend and I would like to explain our situation in Ishikawa prefecture, the west coast of Japan, and ask your help.

In the past few days, the nuclear threat has grown and with it fear and anxiety all over the world. Many of our friends and family members in the U.S. have been constantly following the news and worried that the radiation will spread all over Japan. However, currently there are no reports specifically concerning the west coast and the greater area of Japan.The reports that are being published and broadcast in the U.S. and Japan vary and this is disconcerting. Many of the foreigners in Japan feel as if the American press are sensationalizing events in Tohoku area to the point where it seems applicable to the entire nation. Or at least, this is what friends and family back home seem to think. It's hard to know what to believe and who to trust when family members and friends are relying on American press, which doesn't cover the rest of Japan. Because of this, there has been a lot of personal pressure to return home, while most of the foreigners here feel safe. However, we have been under a lot of stress due to the uncertainty and lack of information pertaining to areas outside of the Tohoku region.

For example, my friend's family has explicitly demanded for her return even after she has explained why she feels Ishikawa is safe from the radiation--distance of over 200 miles, current wind conditions, trust in the Japanese government and radiation detectors, trust in the JET Programme, everything is going about in the town as usual. There have also been reactions such as this blog entry: http://ishikawajet.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/unreliable-news/

Would it possible to do a report on the risks of radiation on other parts of Japan or could you refer us to someone? We think this would benefit many people as it would alleviate anxiety for those living in and out of Japan. This is not a request to take away the focus from the real crisis in Tohoku, but to ask for more information about Japan.

Thank you for your time and for reading this.

Unfortunately, the article became more of a human interest piece where I feel I came off as stubborn, naive and a bit insensitive. Here's the piece: http://www.10news.com/news/27245686/detail.html

Just a few notes on what was left out because I forgot to say it or because it was cut:

• If something were to happen and it was certain it would affect my side of Japan, I would definitely consider leaving. But all the reports focused on Tohoku / Kanto region. The U.S. embassy has asked people living on eastern Japan to consider returning to the States.
• In my city, there's a radiation detector (check previous post), an airport for quick escape and a Japanese Self Defense Force base.
• I was asked whether or not my area was affected by the shortages. My response was along the lines of, "No. We're not a part of the rotating power outages, we're not seeing a lack of food or water supplies. Actually, our prefecture is sending food, water and supplies over to affected areas."
• I was asked how my parents had reacted initially. And right when I commented on my mother's reaction, "She said she's had a lot of trouble sleeping. When she called, she was crying. That's really tough to see," I knew they were going to use that. I sort of smiled because I felt like I trapped myself. :O However, after I spoke with my parents early last week (days before the interview) I had already convinced them I was safe.
• My biggest concern had been about the lack of information outside of the Tohoku/Kanto area and that people don't understand that the crisis has not physically affected all of Japan (although mentally, we are heart broken to see the news as much as anyone else). This was only mentioned briefly towards the bottom of the article:

Nuclear experts 10News spoke to say the danger -- even under the worst-case scenario -- remains small because Lam is far enough away.

Lam said for many that message has gotten lost as the U.S. media has focused on the reactor site, sparking fears among loved ones at home.



Please remember to read the full articles, not only the headlines. Also, pay attention to where the news is concerning. Is it all of Japan or just one part?

There IS a crisis going on in parts of Japan, especially a humanitarian crisis. Please remember that there are thousands of people whose lives have been taken or who are still missing. I'd like to ask everyone to focus their prayers on those in those affected areas. They are still homeless, lacking food, lacking water and lacking supplies. Many of us
in Ishikawa have been doing our best to help those in need by donating blood, donating money, donating goods and offering our homes to those involved in the disasters:

http://www.couchsurfing.org/group.html?gid=39703

I am extremely grateful that Michael Chen agreed to pitch the story and that he interviewed me. I just wanted to clarify some points that may have been buried or mising in the article. I hope people can understand the perspective I was trying to show.

[Update] Read this article to see other opinions on sensationalized news:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110321f1.html

Who Do You Believe?

According to Newstabulous, the "Oldest Hotel in the World Still Standing Strong." Well, of course it is. Ishikawa prefecture was physically unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami. The article makes it seem as if the Japanese inn, Hoshi, had amazingly come out of the disaster unscathed by some miracle. And you know what, I am truly fortunate in Komatsu to have only felt the ripple of the earthquake, had a minor tsunami warning and to be so far from the nuclear power plants. My heart goes out to all of those who were more than mentally affected by the disasters. My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the Tohoku area and surrounding prefectures who are now also struggling to survive on limited supplies, food and utilities.

The reason I'm writing this entry is because there have been so many differing opinions on the situation in Fukushima and it's hard to know who to believe anymore. Articles like the one above don't seem to be helping since it's embellishing on what's going on in other parts of Japan. News should be focused on the current crisis in Japan--it IS bad, it IS going to take a long time to recover and the outcome of everything IS uncertain.

However, many people outside of Japan only see these images and apply the facts to Japan as a whole. It has created more panic and anxiety than what the situation may actually call for--or is it called for?!

For example, in Toyama, the prefecture north of Ishikawa, supermarkets and convenience stores are running low on many food items because people have been stocking up for emergencies. This is 200 miles outside of the nuclear plant in Daiichi. Is this necessary? Some locals in Ishikawa say it is ridiculous. But maybe Toyamans have heard news that we haven't yet? For the record, there have not been any statements in the news specifically addressing the Hokuriku area (which includes Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui).

I'd like to say that I trust in the government and the JET programme to tell me if there's an immediate danger. I also believe that I am in a good location because of the distance, the airport in my city and also the fact that we have a Japanese Self Defense Force base in Komatsu.

[Update] My prefecture actually has a webpage dedicated to radiation readings: http://atom.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/monitoring/Pages/Radiation/FormRadiationMap.aspx

But there is a lack of international news coverage concerning the risks to the other areas of Japan. It's hard to prove to friends or family members that we are safe and that we don't need to fly out of the country. Some people have said that the government is lying or withholding information...

I feel super safe and know that I want to stay, but there's this growing pressure from concerned loved ones. I wish there was more coverage to alleviate the stress the news is creating for those outside of Tohoku area. We all want to know the truth and are trying not to act on emotion.

That being said, I am not writing this because I want to take away from the real crisis 250 miles away. There are REAL problems over there and I think people should really think about how many people have been affected that need help.

I was speaking with a Japanese co-worker today about her friend in Yamagata. Several people have evacuated Fukushima and moved to Yamagata prefecture. Although Yamagata is presently out of the radiation zone, they are feeling the affects through the limited supplies and food available. Delivery trucks aren't dropping off shipments there anymore--or maybe it's limited. There is still a shortage in electricity. The friend is actually driving over to Ishikawa this weekend for personal reasons, but driving back to her Yamagata home with supplies for the people she is hosting.

I encourage everyone to keep these people in mind and find ways to help them through these difficult times. Check your areas for blood banks, drop-off sites for supplies/food and donate monetarily.

What do you all think?? Are your loved ones asking you to return home? Do you feel safe? Are you unsure?

Stay informed, Stay prepared, Stay calm

It was an off period at 2:45PM JST when I was messaging a friend about the teacher next to me clipping his nails at his desk. We joked about nail clippings cutting wires could be the cause of my intermittent internet connection. Our banter was interrupted by the unexpected earthquake.

The first one was barely noticeable. I live in Ishikawa prefecture, which is off the Sea of Japan on the west coast of Honshu.

I thought I had been staring at the computer screen for too long. It was as if I were lightheaded and dizzy. Standing up slowly, I looked over at the only two teachers in the room. The Nail Clipper looked at me and I looked at him expectedly without speaking. I lost my Japanese for that second. The quake had stopped. The female teacher next to him said, "oh, that was an earthquake." Nail Clipper calmly agreed.

Then the next quake made the building sway slightly for a good 20 seconds. I would learn a couple hours later that it was only a ripple off the epicentre on the east coast. Our quake was listed as a 3.0. Half the teachers in the school were unaware of anything happening.



We have been unbelievably fortunate in Ishikawa prefecture. It wasn't until I got home around 5:00PM that I understood how severe the situation in Tohoku and Kansai was. Immediately, I texted or called all the friends I could think of who were living in the affected areas. My friends are fine, but many are still unnerved by the recent events.

When I signed in to Facebook and Twitter I was overwhelmed by the number of concerned messages I received from friends--many of whom I haven't spoken with in years. I was very grateful for the concern and I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers. THANK YOU.

Again, I am 100% OKAY です.

Actually, aside from watching the news and messages on the social networking sites, everything seems normal in my area. We are probably experiencing the same thing that everyone else in the world is experiencing. A little bit of awe mixed with frustration and helplessness. All we know and see is in the news. Many people want to help but don't know how or are not sure if it is possible.

Over the weekend, I became obsessed with finding ways to relieve those feelings by researching the different ways that people can help. This is what I've found works for me:

Stay Informed
With so many sites forming, it's hard to know what is real anymore. Obviously, major news networks are your best bet. Don't listen to all the hype of impending doom unless it's credited.

For the latest earthquake information: http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/quake_singen_index.html

How you can help: While my area is not suffering any physical damage, the other side of the island is going through an extremely rough time. Thousands of people are homeless or have limited daily necessities.

[update] From CNN (3/16/2011)

While agencies are working to raise money, donations have been slow to come. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations, says donations to nonprofit organizations have reached about $25 million so far. The total is far below the first four-day totals of other recent natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the crisis in Haiti, it said.

Please consider donating money or supplies through legitimate sources:

1. From the U.S.: http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/03/11/6246445-japans-earthquake-how-to-help
2. From Japan:

• Donating money: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkDkITkG4lE /
• Donating food/supplies: http://www.2hj.org/index.php/news/send_us_food_and_supplies/
• Donate blood, but check if you qualify first: http://www.mutantfrog.com/2011/03/13/who-can-and-can-not-donate-blood-in-japan/
• Volunteering (Read CAREFULLY): http://ajet.net/lang/en/2011/03/16/volunteer-information-for-people-in-japan/

Please remember that for food or supplies, it is better to send the necessary items. Before you purchase anything, please read the list of items.

Also! Don't try to rush into the affected areas now to try to help. Let the professionals sort things out first.

Stay Prepared
How many people actually have an emergency kit? I know I didn't. There is a possibility of another huge quake, up to 7.0, hitting Japan again in the next 48 hours. It's best to keep water stocked, some non-perishable food ready and other essentials. (You'll use the stuff eventually anyway. So why not?)

For JETs, here's a good link to look over: http://ajet.net/lang/en/2011/03/13/emergency-proceduresinformation-evacuation-card/

Being prepared will help you stay calm. Which leads me to the last tip...

Stay Calm
Even with all the disasters shown in the news we all need to stay calm to stay focused. Here's a message from National AJET:

--don’t add to sensationalist rumors. If you are posting information on facebook, twitter and other media outlets, please make sure that you use credible sources. Include your source and as much information as possible.

Personally, I think people in Japan are already on edge, so please don't add to that. Most of us are trying to stay calm while constant messages of impending doom keep popping up.

------------------------------------------

Once again, thank you all for your thoughtful messages and your concern.

My heart goes to all the people in the affected areas and their loved ones.

The End of Another School Year

Graduation took place at the beginning of this month and we held the ceremony in the gym--just like most high schools in Japan. It was another tear-jerking ceremony. They like to turn on the nostalgic ballad music right when the student speeches are given or when the students stand up as their names are called (diplomas/certificates aren't presented to each individual on stage, but rather distributed in their homeroom classroom after the ceremony). It's as if they try to create their own soundtrack!

But despite the overdramatic nature of the whole process, I really did enjoy attending the ceremony. It was much better this year when I actually knew some of the students' names. Coming in much past the half-year mark last winter, I could only recognize a few faces.

The week before the graduation ceremony the school held the final exams for the 1st year and 2nd year students. The 3rd years, who would graduate, had finished their classes/exams early February. We have about three weeks left in this school year, but the English department thought it would be difficult to pack one more team-teaching class, the classes I do jointly with the Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs), within that short period.

Subsequently, I am left with a lot of free time at school. I can't even plan classes until they tell me which books they will be using in the start of the school year this coming April. I suppose I could plan a general introductory lesson...

Well, instead I am planning my spring break trips, doing some writing and studying Japanese. Oh! And I am finishing up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. If you haven't heard of it already, go check it out. ;)

Now, it's time to go book some hotels in Japanese. I'm killing two birds with one stone...I never really liked that expression...it's disturbing with my overactive imagination.

一石二鳥
isseki nichou
One stone, two birds