Disaster in Japan

Summary:

Can we help our friends in Japan. Innovation will be required across many fronts.

Disaster in Japan

MatrixIP 13 Mar 2011 09:20

The Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster in Japan - March 2011
How can we help our brothers and sisters in Japan?
Perhaps while we are thinking of Brisbane and Christchurch there is bandwidth to think further abroad.
Japan is Australia's biggest trading partner and they will need every kindness and help that can be provided. This request is coming from downtown Shinjuku, a suburb of Tokyo where the effects of the earthquake were experienced by the author on Friday 11th March at 2:40pm.
Fortunately Tokyo was clear of the tsunami.
What a disaster. Any help would be appreciated, I am sure.

Your thoughts are welcomed here.

Re: Disaster in Japan

MatrixIP 22 Mar 2011 23:16

I am still travelling in Japan but currently away from Tokyo and the north where all the destruction has occurred. Outside Tokyo, without the hyped up news you would not know there was a problem. This probably reflects the Japanese culture and their resilience and desire to get over this disaster as quickly as possible, so they can get back to some normality.
The disaster is certainly hurting tourism as lots of people are not travelling to Japan.
What a shame for the Japanese economy.
This is when they need our help.
What do you think?

Last edited on 22 Mar 2011 23:17 by MatrixIP Show more

Re: Disaster in Japan - News Items from USA

MatrixIP 04 Apr 2011 22:43

Relevant news from USA on Fukushima Plant issues

14th March 2011 - Fukushima Explosion

15th March 2011 - Fukushima Last Straw for US Nuclear Industry

4th April 2011 - Radioactive Water in to Sea off Japan

7th April 2011 - Preventing further trouble

12th April 2011 Severity Level at Fukushima raised to 7

14th April 2011 Earthquake and Radiation level Plots

22nd April 2011 After Shocks of Japan Nuclear Disaster

27th May 2011 One page Risk Analysis in 2001

Last edited on 28 May 2011 22:41 by MatrixIP Show more

Re: Disaster in Japan - Hurting Tourism

MatrixIP 15 Apr 2011 02:45

We have now returned from Tokyo (Sat 26th March 2011).
We spent the last 2 days in Tokyo before heading home (via Hong Kong - diverted QF22).
It was amazing but not surprising that there were no tourist (English speaking) to be seen in Tokyo - on the streets, on the trains, at the site, anywhere. We virtually had the place to ourselves (with the remaining 25M Japanese!)
It was frightening though as it probably reflects the attitude of tourists (particularly to the radiation threat posed by the Fukushima plant problems.
My son returned to Tokyo (after a flying visit to Sydney, for a friends wedding) Tuesday 12th April with another 25 - 30 passengers on a Qantas jumbo.
Tourism will certainly be hit by the current disaster and particularly the nuclear radiation threat.
The quicker the Japanese government can fix the problems here the quicker things will (have a chance to) get fixed.
Not just tourism, but every aspect of the Japanese economy must be suffering.

We can help by getting back to travelling to Japan and supporting our friends in Japan.
Japan is a beautiful and friendly place to visit. Don't let current temporary events flavour a decision to visit Japan.

Re: One Year on - Young Japanese visitors to Australia

MatrixIP 08 May 2012 05:30

We had the pleasure of hosting 6 students (from Otsuchi Town High School, in Iwarte) and 1 lecturer (from Hitotsubashi University) in Sydney on the anniversary to the devastating earthquake and tsunami (March 11th 2012).
The six students were from a high school in a town that was directly in the path of the tsunami. Their school, their homes and their town was devastated. Lives were lost.
The support from concerned staff and students (including Chad Passlow) from Hitotsubashi University (OCS) allowed these young students to travel to Australia for 1 week and enjoy life in Australia.
The six students were delightful young adults, very gracious and so gateful.
The students and lecturer were billeted by family and friends. All visitors returned to Japan (after 7 day visit) with great memories, a wonderful experience and big smiles.
This was a very rewarding exercise for all involved.
We will maintain contact with these young leaders and try to encourage further interactions and ongoing support.