Other Perspectives

As I have mentioned in my blog description, I am a foreigner with the opportunity to observe Japan from the inside as they work to recover from one of their worst disasters in history. Being new to Tokyo, it is easy to forget what is going on in the north -- I notice very few abnormalities, save for most escalators being turned off for the "rail suspension due to earthquake" signs on the trains. However, I am told that Tokyo is very dark compared to normal, and every time I meet a Japanese adult I am reminded of just how unique of a time it is to be here. I am always asked "why did you come, aren't you worried" and then told "thank you for coming, thank you for supporting us". For example, before my walking tour of the Yotsuya area yesterday, my tour guide wanted to talk to everyone in my group about why we had chosen to follow through with our plan to stay in Japan, and if we had any major concerns. It is clear that the earthquake and developing situation are on the forefront of everyone's minds, even if it is not immediately apparent. 

However, reading other student`s blogs has given me yet another perspective on the situation. I am on a foreign exchange program through CIEE, and we had a Facebook group set up beforehand so once news of the earthquake and ensuing nuclear disaster broke the group message board was filled with inquiries into what our situation would be, who was still going, who was staying home, etc (as fellow-CIEE student Zack discussed in this blog post). Common themes on our message board were "what are we going to do," "is it safe," and eventually "I`m staying home". American university after American university canceled their study abroad programs in Japan and pulled all of their undergraduates out. However, my university and several others, such as Amanda's (another CIEE student), did not cancel their programs and allowed us to make the decision on our own. It eventually came clear that while the situation in Japan was very grave, the American media was sensationalizing several aspects (as usual), but my program, which was originally supposed to have upwards of 70 students, shrunk to just 26 brave souls by the time we arrived in Tokyo on April 8th. 

The news of the earthquake and ensuing decision to come were very difficult to deal with, but I cannot imagine what some of my fellow Japanese classmates went through. Reading their blog postings has given me some initial feeling to what it may have been like. My CIEE group went to a disaster preparedness center a few days ago, and we experienced a simulation of a 7.0 earthquake. It felt like shaking on a roller coaster, and I cannot believe a real building could actually shake that much. Earthquakes never happen where I am from in North Carolina, so it was interesting to read in several classmates’ blogs (such as this one) how initially they thought, "oh this is just another earthquake", but that it soon became clear this would not, in fact, be just another quake.

I found our trip to the disaster preparedness center really helpful, but it was also very informative to read what other classmates have posted about measures they had taken in their homes to prepare for earthquakes, and what they did the day of the quake. This particular classmate was especially prepared for the power outage, and it seems like all those living in a disaster-prone area should follow her lead and purchase a similar device. Overall, however, all of my Japanese classmates seem to have been very well prepared for the disaster, and it makes me feel safer and more secure about being here at this time.