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)
davidtomyn@gmail.com (primary email)
David Tomyn (Skype name)
Dave Tomyn (Facebook)
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davetomyn.com (homepage)

Location:４丁目,Ichikawa,Japan

Shibuya in the Fall

So as I charge my iPhone 4 for the second day running at the Apple Store in Shibuya, I thought this would be an apt time to catch up on blogging. It's been quite some time since my last post, and Fall is in the air here in Tokyo. Well, not exactly. It has actually gotten hot again, which would be cool, except I'm currently rocking biz wear & commuting a ridiculous amount of time per day. But I digress.

It's been busy-with a new job and new challenges on my plate. Now I'm jetting around to a plethora of Japanese corporations on a daily basis...all while sleeping as little as possible-a trend which must change soon.

Also, as the season changes in Tokyo & in business, it's my hope to also spearhead an effort to pursue travel industry related ventures here in Tokyo. If you're interested in getting involved, let me know. Cryptic perhaps, but these ideas are closely-held. :)

Now-a brief update on current happenings. I am working as a business constant/English trainer for a company named IBEC, International Business Education Consultants. It's challenging and exciting.

At the same time, I just wrapped up hosting the Smaha's-Bohdan & Carrie-for a week, and that was exciting too-even if it did go by in a blur! We hit most of Tokyo and of course centered a large percentage of our time right here in Shibuya, as well as trendy Omotesando, Harajuju and Shimokitazawa. Fun times. We also hit a chill hot springs in Hakone with supposed great views of Mount Fuji. (We wouldn't know, as there were torrential downpours and dense fog throughout the day. But we had good weather most of the other days.

Now the weather has started to change-finally cooling in the evenings and becoming a bit more like October..or at least like September. It's nice to have a respite from a ridiculously hot summer.

So, as I wrap up charging my iPhone 4 (store is closing), I will also wrap up this post.

Give me a shout out if yiu want to rock Tokyo in the near future.

Some of you are overdue. (You know who you are:)

-Dave

Tokyo: Hello 2009

It has been just over a year since I arrived in the land of the rising sun, and much has changed in this ever-evolving city. As you can see in the post below, I recently took a short vacation to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, and its environs-The Mekong River Delta, and the beach resort of Mui Ne on the South China Sea. More posts on that trip will follow.

In the meantime, spring is once again in the air in Tokyo, and the Cherry Blossom Festival is upon us. In Japan this is a time of socialization and reflection. Most Japanese enjoy parties under the myriad of blooming Cherry trees across Tokyo and the rest of Japan. Last year I spent most of this time in the Kansai region to the West including Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. This year, I will explore Tokyo more in depth.

I will also be posting daily, on a variety of issues, as laid out below, and upon request.

I have had many requests for opening up a dialogue on current news, trends and events going on in Japan and around the world. So this year I will introduce conversational topics on this blog concerning current issues that touch each of our lives to one degree or another: the global economic crisis, international security issues, and political alliances of both the fair-weather and long-term variety.

I look forward to out conversations in 2009. Please feel free to challenge ideas, promote your opinion, and present new topics. Whether the discussion covers travel related issues (good vacation destinations, "volunteer tourism" opportunities, travel secrets) or economic issues (current bailout plan in the U.S., subsequent decline in Japanese exports) or political concerns (PM Taro Aso or President Obama's policy machines at work) any discourse is welcome.

Hope to hear from you soon.

-David Tomyn