Tokyo Gets Rocked 2011

Today marks just over the two week mark since the 3/11/11 earthquake subsequent tsunamis rocked the nation of Japan at it's core. At just before 3 pm, a 9.0 quake rocked the northeast of Japan to it's core, with a subsequent tsunami only surpassed in damage and travesty by that of the '04 9.1 quake in Banda Aceh. I was there for both, but this one hit much closer to home. First, the initial quake and it's follow-up mega-aftershock buckled the ground, split the earth and spewed water and mud up through much of the area I live in Chiba. At my office in downtown Tokyo, buildings cowered in fear, as did their businesspeople, ducking below desks or running down multiple flights stairs to the ground amidst the dramatic shaking. I was lucky, as I was having lunch on a first floor restaurant, overlooking a roller coaster that runs through the building and a giant ferris wheel that overlooks Tokyo. On this day, as I ran out the door, I could see the ferris wheel rocking back and forth like an imaginary giant had grabbed it, and was slapping it back and forth. On the street, the ground buckled udder my feet as if the Pacific was literally beneath me. While the quake started as the all do-slowly and with a low level of strength; this one built both magnitude and length as it ripped apart parts of the Northeast, pushed countless millions out onto the streets in Tokyo, and, most tragically, swept many people, along with cars, buildings and towns out sea with tsunamis that surpassed not only Japan's seawalls, but more that 30 feet in height. These tsunami are the reason that today, two weeks after the event, over 10,000 have been confirmed dead, while the number missing; most likely swept out to sea approaches 27,000, and perhaps more. It is, without question, a shocking event in a nation that prides itself in disaster preparation and strict building codes, with everything from school drills to concrete testing with potential earthquakes in mind. And, without such protocols and safety measures, the toll could have been much higher, as it reached about 200,000 in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 earthquake and tsunami that decimated Southeast Asia and still effects it to this day.

Many economists say Japan will take 5 years to overcome this travesty. Others say a decade. Others say, coupled with the debt and recent global recession, this will only serve to compete Japan's vicious cycle; from elite world power, to a fading power, lost in the limelight of China, and maybe even India.

Others, however, are more optimistic and opportunistic, believing that this travesty, while heartbreaking, will serve as the catalyst necessary to jump-start Japan from nearly two decades of decline. Consider it a jump-start if you will. This is Japan's chance to build new infrastructure, new ideas, and a new culture of growth emerging from the ashes and washed out land of the colossal quake of 2011. Skeptics of this theory may point to an inefficient and ineffective government, miscommunication and past cover-ups, and may decide this was Japan's knock out blow. Others, ultimately see it as a wake up call- an opportunity to push forward and again become the land of innovation and creativity that Japan once was in the decades after WWII.

It is still quite evident that major corporations like Toyota, Honda and Nissan and Mitsubishi will be fine, as will large banks like Sumitomo and UfJ. The big question will come in the manufacturing and electronics sectors, where Japan is still known for it's high quality, but unfortunately, this is increasingly coming with a higher price tag, just as it's American and Korean counterparts become both more mainstream and relatively cost effective.

Furthermore, the above discourse only speaks to the economic future of Japan, which, though now much more uncertain and convoluted, is secondary to taking short and intermediate action to bring relief and restoration to the devastated regions to the northeast. While most news these days is Tokyo-centric due to the devastating and ongoing failure of the Fukushma Dai-Ichi nuclear plant, and it's current effect on our water, which remains with unsafe amounts of radiation as of today. Blackouts and water shortages may effect Greater Tokyo, but the pale in light of the refugee crisis ago out Eastern Seaboard. Now is the time to take action, not turn a blind eye (if in a different country), or show preferential treatment (caring only for you and yours) if still in Japan.

After a crisis is the time for action, not inaction. Lack of action breads complacency and false contentment. And indecisive behavior usually leads to missed opportunities. So I encourage you to get involved in the relief efforts at some level. Donate your time and money, or even your expertise. Donate your prayers. Donate your creativity and innovation. Donate your friendship to someone in need. But don't turn a cold shoulder to those in dire need when it is your power to make a difference.

So, you might ask, what's my next step? After speaking with many contacts both in and outside Japan, I would like to highly recommend that to make the most impact, both in relief, restoration and rebuilding efforts, CRASH is the organization with the best capabilities and action on the ground right now. Having planned for years be able to help in just this time of need, you can find out more at crashjapan.com

I hope you will seriously consider getting involved. If you want to send goods, you can also purchase goods via Amazon.co.jp, etc. and ship to the organizations headquarters. Let me know if you want to get involved in any capacity. In the near future people will also be working to clear wreckage and rebuild homes and businesses.
If you're interested in visiting the Land of the Rising Sun to volunteer youth time and expertise, please let me know as well. Feel free to reply to this blog, or contact me via any of the contact methods listed below.

Let's work together to make Japan a better place; and help those in the most dire need as quickly as we possibly can.

-David Tomyn
3/26/11
+81-80-3533-9871 (from overseas)
080-3533-9871 (Inside Japan)
davidtomyn@i.softbank.jp (cell email)
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Location:４丁目,Ichikawa,Japan