One of the most beautiful countries in the world to me. I am deeply interested in the culture, nature, language, people, music, fashion, food, technological, industrial and commercial products, and history of of all things Japanese. The 8.9 earthquake hit off the coast of Japan on Friday, March 11th, 2011, at 2:46:23 pm local time.
Japan is one of the highest media connected and culturally integrated societies in the world. Much of the devastation, victims and first person's encounters are being flooded onto the internet and covering the majority of the media channels across the world. I, for one, am currently deeply engrossed by what has happened and cannot bear to stay away from the news.
Japan is one of the highest media connected and culturally integrated societies in the world. Much of the devastation, victims and first person's encounters are being flooded onto the internet and covering the majority of the media channels across the world. I, for one, am currently deeply engrossed by what has happened and cannot bear to stay away from the news.
Here is NHK's livestream in english. The encounters that were related by the ground zero victims are truly heartwrenching. I am completely amazed with respect by the victims' stoic and dignified manner despite the complete wipe out of everything that they hold dear. There have been no reports of looting so far. The patience and understanding of the Japanese during this troubled time has far surpassed the global standard of what it means to be civil, and I am sincerely amazed.
News reports that the slew of aftershocks are still going on. However, the current count on the countires and charity organisations flooding relief aids into Japan doubles that that was recieved during the the Great Hanshin earthquake (Kobe earthquake) in 1995.
On a more personal note, I am truly glad that my friends and family, and their friends and families are safe. Just being able to know this fact is a gift for the rest of us who feel powerless. The only way that I want to help right now would be to actually fly to Japan and photograph...everything. It may sound selfish for my own personal gain, but I do sincerely feel that being able to convey what I see to the outside world will be important to what I want to do with my life.
If someone out there really cares, I'd suggest donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Currently, the victims and survivors are in dire need of food, clean water and warm blankets. As Japan and the rest of the world struggles with the relief effort, recovery is going to take a while. As always, my family and I have been supporting the Japanese economy from our side of the world.
To all my friends and peers around the world who are reading this, do keep in touch.
I will be visitng your country soon. I'll bring my camera. =)
Ganbatte, Nihon!
News reports that the slew of aftershocks are still going on. However, the current count on the countires and charity organisations flooding relief aids into Japan doubles that that was recieved during the the Great Hanshin earthquake (Kobe earthquake) in 1995.
On a more personal note, I am truly glad that my friends and family, and their friends and families are safe. Just being able to know this fact is a gift for the rest of us who feel powerless. The only way that I want to help right now would be to actually fly to Japan and photograph...everything. It may sound selfish for my own personal gain, but I do sincerely feel that being able to convey what I see to the outside world will be important to what I want to do with my life.
If someone out there really cares, I'd suggest donating directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Currently, the victims and survivors are in dire need of food, clean water and warm blankets. As Japan and the rest of the world struggles with the relief effort, recovery is going to take a while. As always, my family and I have been supporting the Japanese economy from our side of the world.
To all my friends and peers around the world who are reading this, do keep in touch.
I will be visitng your country soon. I'll bring my camera. =)
Ganbatte, Nihon!
