海外への情報発信（2）

2.The Day Eight after the Earthquake

Virtual Motion Sickness
We had a level 4 earthquake (Japanese standard) just a few minutes ago. Narita international airport was temporally closed for checking run ways according to TV news. It did not cause anything serious in my apartment, but the spontaneous aftershocks make us feeling anxious. Actually, many people including myself have been experiencing “virtual motion sickness”; I feel subtle body movement without having real earthquakes. It annoys.

Transition to a Next Stage
On TV, all the broadcasting programs have been related to the earthquake since it happened. But now some stations started to broadcast normal programs including variety shows. I think it is a good idea to cheer up people’s mind.
After passing “the critical one week,” we begin to see some good news including recovery of truck routes and train lines to the suffered area from the western part of the country. I feel the situation is shifting to a different stage from its first “shocking stage.”

Earthquake Liquefaction
Buildings in Tokyo area weren’t damaged much from the earthquake except Tokyo bay area. Earthquake liquefaction caused severe damages to buildings and roads in relatively newly developed area along the coast. I heard from the management company of my apartment that their customers in the area still don’t have tap water. Drinking water and toilet is their major concern, the person in charge told me.

People’s Anxiety and Rumor
As for the nuclear plant situation, some people told me that Tokyo electric and the government are hiding something serious behind. I think it is just an unreliable rumor. Anxiety in people’s mind toward the accident is probably creating such negative information. I am telling them that all the people tackling the tough situation are risking their life at the nuclear plant for sure. Now is time to trust people not criticize. Also, the admirations of gentle and patient behavior of Japanese from foreign media pleased us a lot. These comments help us probably more than you think.

There will be no scheduled blackouts tomorrow as ambient temperature will be relatively high according to TV news. Well, it’s good news.

海外への情報発信（１）

海外に日本の状況を知らせようと５回にわたって、短いレポートを作りました。海外の大学の関係者などに送りました。

1.The Day Seven after the Earthquake

It has been one week since the huge earthquake hit Japan last week. As you may already know, the terrible tremor and the huge tsunami hit the east coast of Honshyu island (main island of Japan), destructing almost everything along the coast. Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant was one of the facilities severely damaged by the earthquake.

Setting aside the devastation of the stricken area (you may have already heard from the news sources,) I would like to tell you my personal experience of living in the Tokyo area.

Scheduled blackout
Because many electric power plants including the nuclear plant can not be operated after the earthquake, electric blackout in the Tokyo area is a real risk. In order to avoid the wide-area blackout, Tokyo electric power co. (or TEPCO) divided its service area into five sub areas, and 3 hours of blackout of each area is imposed. Exact area and start/end time of the regular blackouts are vaguely announced for technical reasons; we are irritated of this since we have to prepare for the blackout all day/night long such as when we should avoid using elevators in buildings.

Reduced train operations
Since electric motors of trains consume a lot of electricity, train operations are significantly reduced to avoid the blackout, and this causes severe congestions in mornings and evenings. Surprisingly, almost all the Japanese business men are commuting to their company offices as usual. But I see that productivity at the office is not as good as it should be because everybody somehow feels nervous about the problem in the nuclear plant. We may be addicted to commute to their offices or we have fears for losing job by not going to their offices.

Fear for the radiation
Since Tokyo is located a few hundred kilometers away from the troubled nuclear plant, nobody really worry about radioactive material flown from the plant. If you come to Japan today and were walking in central Tokyo, you may not realize that this country is suffering from the earthquake. Almost all the shops are open and there is no panic at all. But, of course, the problem of the nuclear plant is our most serious concern anyway.

Deficit of rice, gas etc.
If you go to shopping stores, some foods and emergency products such as such as rice, batteries and plastic water containers are difficult to purchase even in Tokyo. Also many cars in a queue are waiting for gasoline refueling. Some gas stations are closed as they do not have gasoline to sell.