Although the occasion is primarily informational in intention, we also hope to take the opportunity to discuss possible ways to launch new fund-raising projects.
All are welcome.
Monday, 28 March 2011
Japan, tsunami, earthquake panel
On Friday 1 April, LUC and MEARC will collaborate to host an expert panel to provide information, news and analysis about the recent events in Japan and their repercussions. The event will be held at 19-21.00 in our Stichthage building, above the Central Train Station in The Hague. It will be chaired by Prof Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, the former EU Ambassador to Japan.
Although the occasion is primarily informational in intention, we also hope to take the opportunity to discuss possible ways to launch new fund-raising projects.
The poster is here
All are welcome.
Although the occasion is primarily informational in intention, we also hope to take the opportunity to discuss possible ways to launch new fund-raising projects.
All are welcome.
Joris Voorhoeve lecture
LUC Research Centre is delighted to announce a seminar by Prof.dr. Joris Voorhoeve, formerly the Dutch Minister of Defence, who will talk on the topic of 'Early Warning and Prevention of Violent Conflict' at LUC (Lange Voorhout 44, The Hague) on Wednesday 30 March, 16.15-18.00.
Those who are interested should also note that a Japan Benefit Concert featuring Genzo Okabe will start after this seminar at 19:00 across the street at Pulchri Studio (Lange Voorhout 15, 2514 EA Den Haag)
Those who are interested should also note that a Japan Benefit Concert featuring Genzo Okabe will start after this seminar at 19:00 across the street at Pulchri Studio (Lange Voorhout 15, 2514 EA Den Haag)
Japan earthquake benefit concert
Dear LUCers,
Since we are all so concerned about recent events in Japan, since we're gearing up for our own information and analysis evening this Friday, and since this concert is taking place just across the street from our building, I wanted to share this event with you. Please show your support by attending.
Some samples of the music are here: http://www.genzookabe.com/index.html
"Benefit Concert for Japan"
Date & Time: Wednesday 30 March, 2011, at 19:00
場 所: Pulchri Studio (Lange Voorhout 15, 2514 EA Den Haag)
主 催: Genzo Okabe、Luciano Poli、Dick Brongers
連絡先: Genzo Okabe（e-mail: info@genzookabe.com, Tel: 06-467 666 34）、Luciano Poli（e-mail: bass.poli@gmail.com, Tel: 06-156 314 32）
料金: Free donation
Message from organiser:
We sincerely hope you will be able to attend this important event. All received funds will be sent directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Performing will be Ellister van den Molen trio, Walter Wolff trio and Genzo Okabe quartet.
Since we are all so concerned about recent events in Japan, since we're gearing up for our own information and analysis evening this Friday, and since this concert is taking place just across the street from our building, I wanted to share this event with you. Please show your support by attending.
Some samples of the music are here: http://www.genzookabe.com/index.html
"Benefit Concert for Japan"
Date & Time: Wednesday 30 March, 2011, at 19:00
場 所: Pulchri Studio (Lange Voorhout 15, 2514 EA Den Haag)
主 催: Genzo Okabe、Luciano Poli、Dick Brongers
連絡先: Genzo Okabe（e-mail: info@genzookabe.com, Tel: 06-467 666 34）、Luciano Poli（e-mail: bass.poli@gmail.com, Tel: 06-156 314 32）
料金: Free donation
Message from organiser:
We sincerely hope you will be able to attend this important event. All received funds will be sent directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Performing will be Ellister van den Molen trio, Walter Wolff trio and Genzo Okabe quartet.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Let us pause
“The horrible and heartbreaking events in Japan present a strange concatenation of disasters”, writes Jonathan Schell in his article From Hiroshima to Fukushima. “First, the planet unleashed one of its primordial shocks, an earthquake, of a magnitude greater than any previously recorded in Japan. The earthquake, in turn, created the colossal tsunami, which, when it struck the country’s northeastern shores, pulverized everything in its path, forming a filthy wave made of mud, cars, buildings, houses, airplanes and other debris. In part because the earthquake had just lowered the level of the land by two feet, the wave rolled as far as six miles inland, killing thousands of people.
In a stupefying demonstration of its power, as the New York Times has reported, the earthquake moved parts of Japan thirteen feet eastward, slightly shifted the earth’s axis and actually shortened each day that passes on earth, if only infinitesimally (by 1.8 milliseconds).”
Yet, as Schell observes, “this was not all. Another shock soon followed.” Schell then draws our attention to the “chain of events at the [Fukushima] reactors now running out of control” – events that provide “a case history of the underlying mismatch between human nature and the force we imagine we can control.” Read more at TheNation.com
Jonathan Schell is the Doris M. Shaffer Fellow at The Nation Institute and teaches a course on the nuclear dilemma at Yale University. He is the author of The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence and the Will of the People, an analysis of people power, and The Seventh Decade: The New Shape of Nuclear Danger.
Thomas Bundschuh
In a stupefying demonstration of its power, as the New York Times has reported, the earthquake moved parts of Japan thirteen feet eastward, slightly shifted the earth’s axis and actually shortened each day that passes on earth, if only infinitesimally (by 1.8 milliseconds).”
Yet, as Schell observes, “this was not all. Another shock soon followed.” Schell then draws our attention to the “chain of events at the [Fukushima] reactors now running out of control” – events that provide “a case history of the underlying mismatch between human nature and the force we imagine we can control.” Read more at TheNation.com
Jonathan Schell is the Doris M. Shaffer Fellow at The Nation Institute and teaches a course on the nuclear dilemma at Yale University. He is the author of The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence and the Will of the People, an analysis of people power, and The Seventh Decade: The New Shape of Nuclear Danger.
Thomas Bundschuh
Recovery from mass trauma
“The recent 9.0-magnitude earthquake in Japan and the devastating tsunami that followed are likely to lead to widespread mental health problems in survivors”, writes Professor of Psychiatry and trauma expert, Metin Basoglu, in his blog on Mass Trauma, Human Rights & Mental Health. Based on his research with earthquake survivors in Turkey, Professor Basoglu estimates that more than 50% of people with high levels of exposure to traumatic events may require treatment. Such a high rate of exposure, he notes, “can be attributed to mainly 3 types of stressor events experienced by the Japanese people: (1) earthquake tremors, including the initial major shock and the aftershocks, (2) the devastating impact of the tsunami, and (3) threat of exposure to radiation from damaged nuclear plants.” Basoglu also points to possible economic, social and political consequences if traumatic stress reactions are left untreated. For a more detailed assessment of the psychological toll of the disaster in Japan, see Professor Basoglu’s blog on Mass Trauma, Human Rights & Mental Health.
In a recently published book – A Mental Healthcare Model for Mass Trauma Survivors: Control–Focused Behavioral Treatment of Earthquake, War, and Torture Trauma – Martin Basoglu and Ebru Salcioglu bring together 20 years of experience with disaster survivors. The volume offers an evidence-based mental health care model for mass trauma survivors. Critically, the book not only contains a treatment delivery manual for professional and lay therapists but also a highly structured self-help manual designed to help survivors administer the treatment by themselves.
Metin Basoglu, MD, PhD is Professor of Psychiatry / Head of Trauma Studies at the Institute of Psychiatry of King’s College London and Director of the Istanbul Center for Behavior Research and Therapy (ICBRT / DABATEM) in Turkey.
Thomas Bundschuh
In a recently published book – A Mental Healthcare Model for Mass Trauma Survivors: Control–Focused Behavioral Treatment of Earthquake, War, and Torture Trauma – Martin Basoglu and Ebru Salcioglu bring together 20 years of experience with disaster survivors. The volume offers an evidence-based mental health care model for mass trauma survivors. Critically, the book not only contains a treatment delivery manual for professional and lay therapists but also a highly structured self-help manual designed to help survivors administer the treatment by themselves.
Thomas Bundschuh
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Art as a salve for suffering
From the Asashi Shimbun 23/03/11, by YUSUKE TAKATSU
Japanese artists sprang into action this month, creating a series of works online to comfort those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Even though art may not be able to keep the cold out, or stave off hunger, it can be a source of emotional support and encouragement. Some of Japan's top artists asked themselves what they could do to make a difference, and wisely decided to play to their strengths.
Manga artist Takehiko Inoue, best known for "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond," had been posting a series of illustrations under the title "Smile," on Twitter for some time.
But on March 12, a day after the mega-quake struck, Inoue posted an illustration of a boy, titled "Smile 34," on the site, along with a tweet that read, "I pray." It was followed by a series of light-hearted drawings featuring smiling boys, an elderly man and a dog. He also drew boys wearing T-shirts printed with the names of the stricken areas, such as "Miyagi" and "Fukushima."
Takehiko Inoue: A boy pledges support to one of the affected areas with his T-shirt. ((c) I.T. Planning, Inc.)
Inoue has been prolific, uploading 50 drawings in just five days. He also decided to produce an exclusive set of 16 postcards and to donate the profits to relief efforts.
"It's important to carry on working as normal, and what I am doing is nothing more than that," Inoue wrote on Twitter.
Moyoco Anno, whose "Ochibisan" manga strip has been running in The Asahi Shimbun's lifestyle section, started posting her illustrations for quake victims on her blog from March 13. The newspaper has put her strip on hold due to its extended coverage of the disaster.
Anno wanted to encourage and spur on those affected by the quake, and her cheerful drawings reflect that. In one drawing, the Ochibisan characters wave pompoms. In another a character runs across the frame holding a flag with the message: "Let's do our best!"
"People in the disaster-stricken areas probably can't see (the illustrations) now," Anno said. "But I'm drawing these in hope that they may somehow reach the eyes of people who have been looking forward to reading my 'Ochibisan' every week."
A sprout gives Moyoco Anno's trio hope. ((c) Moyoco Anno)
Internationally acclaimed pop artist Takashi Murakami took to Twitter to encourage artists to post their illustrations to support relief efforts for survivors.
Murakami sponsors the art fair "Geisai," which was supposed to begin on March 13, but has now been postponed due to the massive earthquake. He asked artists who were preparing to submit their works to the fair to instead submit to his "newday" project, based around the theme of: "There will always be tomorrow. The sun will rise again."
One of the illustrations shows friends gathered together in a scrum. Murakami also uploaded two self-portraits, one of which shows him screaming, and the other in tears.
"In a sense, art can be seen as impotent and meaningless from society's view of what is valuable," Murakami commented. "But I think that we may be able to communicate something, like hope, through the power of art," he added.
A tearful Murakami comforts himself with the message, "The day of hope will come!!" (Provided by Takashi Murakami)
Japanese artists sprang into action this month, creating a series of works online to comfort those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Even though art may not be able to keep the cold out, or stave off hunger, it can be a source of emotional support and encouragement. Some of Japan's top artists asked themselves what they could do to make a difference, and wisely decided to play to their strengths.
Manga artist Takehiko Inoue, best known for "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond," had been posting a series of illustrations under the title "Smile," on Twitter for some time.
But on March 12, a day after the mega-quake struck, Inoue posted an illustration of a boy, titled "Smile 34," on the site, along with a tweet that read, "I pray." It was followed by a series of light-hearted drawings featuring smiling boys, an elderly man and a dog. He also drew boys wearing T-shirts printed with the names of the stricken areas, such as "Miyagi" and "Fukushima."
Inoue has been prolific, uploading 50 drawings in just five days. He also decided to produce an exclusive set of 16 postcards and to donate the profits to relief efforts.
"It's important to carry on working as normal, and what I am doing is nothing more than that," Inoue wrote on Twitter.
Moyoco Anno, whose "Ochibisan" manga strip has been running in The Asahi Shimbun's lifestyle section, started posting her illustrations for quake victims on her blog from March 13. The newspaper has put her strip on hold due to its extended coverage of the disaster.
Anno wanted to encourage and spur on those affected by the quake, and her cheerful drawings reflect that. In one drawing, the Ochibisan characters wave pompoms. In another a character runs across the frame holding a flag with the message: "Let's do our best!"
"People in the disaster-stricken areas probably can't see (the illustrations) now," Anno said. "But I'm drawing these in hope that they may somehow reach the eyes of people who have been looking forward to reading my 'Ochibisan' every week."
Internationally acclaimed pop artist Takashi Murakami took to Twitter to encourage artists to post their illustrations to support relief efforts for survivors.
Murakami sponsors the art fair "Geisai," which was supposed to begin on March 13, but has now been postponed due to the massive earthquake. He asked artists who were preparing to submit their works to the fair to instead submit to his "newday" project, based around the theme of: "There will always be tomorrow. The sun will rise again."
One of the illustrations shows friends gathered together in a scrum. Murakami also uploaded two self-portraits, one of which shows him screaming, and the other in tears.
"In a sense, art can be seen as impotent and meaningless from society's view of what is valuable," Murakami commented. "But I think that we may be able to communicate something, like hope, through the power of art," he added.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Japan information and appeal evening
Japan, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Crisis
Information, News, Analysis and Panel Discussion sponsored by MEARC and LUC The Hague
The catastrophic and tragic events that have been developing in Japan over the last few days have sent shockwaves around the world. The scale of the disaster is difficult to comprehend, especially at distance, and particularly through the abstractions of the international media. It is impossible to imagine the powerful viscerality of living through such massive demonstrations of the destructive power of nature, and difficult to understand the anxiety and fear of nuclear disaster that has followed the earthquakes and tsunami. From the privileged safety and calm of The Netherlands, we should remember that these events are first and finally about real people struggling for their lives.
While we wish the people of Japan every strength for the time ahead, it is important for us to understand the meaning and significance of the events so far as well as their possible repercussions for the future. With that in mind, MEARC and LUC The Hague are collaborating to bring together a panel of experts on: international security; Japanese history, politics, economics and society; the science of earthquakes and tsunami; and the physics of nuclear power. As well as providing a forum for information, news and analysis, we hope to be able to start a discussion about further activities that can be conducted to help those impacted by these terrible events.
We can also use this occasion to bring together those actors who would like to organize and coordinate fund-raising activities.
The panel will convene on the evening of 1 April 2011, 19-21.00, in Stichthage, Campus Den Haag (entrance in Den Haag Central Station's main hall). All are welcome.
Information, News, Analysis and Panel Discussion sponsored by MEARC and LUC The Hague
The catastrophic and tragic events that have been developing in Japan over the last few days have sent shockwaves around the world. The scale of the disaster is difficult to comprehend, especially at distance, and particularly through the abstractions of the international media. It is impossible to imagine the powerful viscerality of living through such massive demonstrations of the destructive power of nature, and difficult to understand the anxiety and fear of nuclear disaster that has followed the earthquakes and tsunami. From the privileged safety and calm of The Netherlands, we should remember that these events are first and finally about real people struggling for their lives.
While we wish the people of Japan every strength for the time ahead, it is important for us to understand the meaning and significance of the events so far as well as their possible repercussions for the future. With that in mind, MEARC and LUC The Hague are collaborating to bring together a panel of experts on: international security; Japanese history, politics, economics and society; the science of earthquakes and tsunami; and the physics of nuclear power. As well as providing a forum for information, news and analysis, we hope to be able to start a discussion about further activities that can be conducted to help those impacted by these terrible events.
We can also use this occasion to bring together those actors who would like to organize and coordinate fund-raising activities.
The panel will convene on the evening of 1 April 2011, 19-21.00, in Stichthage, Campus Den Haag (entrance in Den Haag Central Station's main hall). All are welcome.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Japan earthquake stories from Twitter
Those people moved by the video in the last post will find many of the tweets there listed here. The original post is on the blog Thumbnail of Life -- so, thanks to DannyChoo, whom I quote here (and to Jun Shiomitsu, whom Danny credits with the translations):
Jun notes:
Japanese people have been very open on Twitter about their experiences following the quake. These snippets of what moved them and touched them during these very trying times are heart-warming. I have attempted a rough translation on some of them so that you can have a read.
Please continue to pray for the people in Japan.
I hope these mini-stories will bring strength and encouragement to my friends and family in Japan by letting them know that, not only does the world sympathize with them, it looks up to them in admiration! My thoughts are with you.
* ディズニーランドでの出来事
http://twitter.com/unosuke/status/46376846505426944
ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった
At Tokyo Disneyland:
Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.
* 国連からのメッセージ
http://twitter.com/akitosk/status/46302222346223616
国連からのコメント「日本は今まで世界中に援助をしてきた援助大国だ。今回は国連が全力で日本を援助する。」 に感動した。良い事をしたら戻ってくるのです。これがいい例なのです
Message from the UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over. In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.” I was moved at his words. What better example that good things happen to those who do good.
* 渋滞した交差点での出来事
http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320
一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。
At a congested downtown intersection …
Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.
* 揺れている最中でも・・・
http://twitter.com/gj_neko26/statuses/46394706481004544
聞いた話でびっくりしたのが、とっさに「入口の確保」と揺れてるにも関わらず、あの状況で歩いて入口を開けた人が居たのが凄いと思った。正直、シャンデリアも証明も何時落ちるか分からないのに、凄く勇敢な人が居た事に感動した。
During the earthquake
We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake. In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open. Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man!
* バス停で・・・
http://twitter.com/yunico_jp/status/46168394755612672
バスが全然来ない中、@saiso が、バス停の前にある薬局でカイロを買ってきて、並んで待ってる人みんなに配った！
Bus stop mini episode:
It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive. “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy. He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue!
* ディズニーシーにて
http://twitter.com/kfstudio/status/46390032776437760
ディズニーシーに一泊した娘、無事帰宅しました！キャストのみなさんが寒い中でも笑顔で接してくれて不安を感じることなく過ごせたそうです。防寒のカイロやビニール袋、夜・朝の軽食と飲み物、おやつまで。ディズニーの素晴らしさに感動です。頑張ってくれたキャストさん、ほんとにありがとう！！
Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea
My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home! Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night. They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay. I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you so much!
* 日本人の良さを再認識
http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376
この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。
Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people
This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears.
* 段ボールに感動
http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432
ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。
Card board boxes, Thank you!
It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.
* 外国人から見た日本人
http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928
外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。
What foreigners are saying about Japanese people
At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them. On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman. Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these. I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw. Japan is truly amazing.
* メディアの動きについて
http://twitter.com/V10CENTAURO/statuses/46388641001508864
ツイッターやＵＳＴでの状況共有と、それに連動するマスコミの動きは、阪神淡路大震災の時とは比べ物にならない質の高さを感じる。もちろん過去の辛い経験から得た教訓を、みんな活かそうとしている感動。
Information network this time around
The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies.
* 絵師さん
http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920
絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。
Touch of art
I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them. I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.
* BBCの報道
http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681
本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。
BBC Reports
The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”
* 父親の行動
http://twitter.com/s_hayatsuki/status/46386255767937024
1階に下りて中部電力から関東に送電が始まってる話をしたら、普段はTVも暖房も明かりもつけっぱなしの父親が何も言わずに率先してコンセントを抜きに行った。少し感動した。
A little story about Papa
We live in an area that was not directly hit. When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets. I was touched. He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything!
* 整列する日本人
http://twitter.com/HASUNA_Natsuko/status/46331839136276480
日本人すごい！！こんな時にも山手線ホームできれいに整列してる …涙。有楽町駅を上から眺む。 http://twitpic.com/48kn1u
Japanese people don’t shove
I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this!
* パン屋
http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136
昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。
The bakery lady
There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!
* 日本ってすごい
http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984
日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！
Japan is a wonderful nation!
Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan!
* twitterすごい
http://twitter.com/bobiko009/statuses/46403721046933504
Twitterの方々の情報とかが一致団結しててすごくたすかります。みなさま親切です！！こういうとき、なんか、感動します。最近は近所とつきあいなかったり冷たい世の中だとか思ってたけどそんなことなかったね。
Twitter is amazing!
The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful. Thank you Twitterers! I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life. But … I guess that’s not true at all.
* ドイツ人の友達
http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352
ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。
From a German friend
A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit. He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building. My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was. He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back. My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army.
* スーパーでの出来事
http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616
スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀； でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙）
At the supermarket
I just came back safely from the supermarket! Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them.
* 御殿場で
http://twitter.com/Raaaaayuu/statuses/46392890313801728
実際日本すごいよ。昨日信号が一カ所も機能していない御殿場市でもお互いにドライバー同士譲り合ってたし、地元のおじいちゃんおばあちゃんが手信号やってくれてたりで、混乱もなく本当感動した。9時間運転してたけど前車を煽るようなドライバーはもちろんいなかったし、みんな譲り合い精神。
Gotenba traffic
Japan is really something! Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City. But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed. Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections. I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another. Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all.
* 「みんな」
http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288
タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。｢みんな大変だから｣という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。
“All of us”
I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations. All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time. They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring. They told me “… because all of us are in this together.” I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people. It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation.
* 日本の強さ
http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849
サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。
A strong Japan
Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines. Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots. Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another. Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad. Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation. Be strong, everyone!
* 朝礼
http://twitter.com/kyoheimai/status/46374747755388928
今朝の朝礼で「何があっても決して不安な顔は見せずに売り場に立つ以上はおもてなしをする気持ちを忘れずにお客様を安心させてあげてください」ちょっと感動した。がんばるか。開店です!
Morning Ceremony
At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”. Today, these words were all actually kind of touching. Well, so the day begins! Here we go people, open shop!
* 井上さん
http://twitter.com/frankyonn/status/46401442583552000
井上雄彦さんがものすごい勢いで笑顔のイラストをいっぱいあげてて感動する。励ましとか勇気とかメッセージって、こういうことなんだなーと思う。 ＲＴ@inouetake Smile42.
Mr. Inoue
Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace! Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage.
* 学び
http://twitter.com/chaos_chaotic/statuses/46388646038876160
TLの拡散希望を見て思ったことは、阪神淡路大地震から学んだことがとても多くツイートされていること。当たり前のことなんだけど、やはり人間は、学んで考えることができる生き物なんだと改めて思い、感動した。
Lessons Learnt
What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around. I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience. It’s a great thought.
* ローマから
http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896
ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。
Message from a friend in Rome
My friend in Rome emailed me. He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation. People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us.
* 声をかけること
http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320
昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。 家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。 【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。 ありがとう。
A strong voice
Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you!
* 助け合い
http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488
警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。
The beauty of helping one another
I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City. I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.
* バイクでよければ
http://twitter.com/hikaru_star/statuses/46332900928532480
僕は感動しました。バイトの先輩が1人でも救うために寒い中紙に「バイクでよければ送ります」と書き駅前で掲げ鳶職のお兄ちゃんを所沢まで送ったそうです。世の中まだ捨てたもんじゃないなって思いました。本当に尊敬です！！自分もなんか人の役に立ちたいと生まれて初めて思いました。
I just have a bike
I’m so touched! My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa! Respect! I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others.
* 乗り合い
http://twitter.com/pao313/statuses/46332792174411776
浦和美園からタクシー使えると思ったのが甘かった…30分歩いてたら知らない人が車に乗せてくれた（つд；*) 人間の優しさに感動。ありがとうございました。
Sharing your ride
It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station. I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift. I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness. Thank you, thank you!
* 開放
http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609
昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。
Rest here!
Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home. So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot. It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!” The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home. I was so touch I felt like crying. Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears.
* コンビニ
http://twitter.com/sugarun/statuses/46323030732967936
停電地区のほとんどの店が店を閉めてる中、あるセブンイレブンが店内陳列棚にいくつもろうそくを置いて、営業をしていた。レジが使えないため在庫確認用のハンディで値段確認し読み上げ、もう1人が電卓で計算、もうひとりが懐中電灯で照らす。その状態でレジ２台稼動させていた。感動した。
At the convenience store
While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open. The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves. The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work. The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way. Impressed!
* 避難所
http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280
長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。
On the way to the emergency evacuation area
My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people.
* 呼びかけ
http://twitter.com/akanensm/status/46214540161064960
何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな
A big, kind voice
I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!
* ホームにて
http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008
都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。
On the platform
The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people!
* 駅員さん
http://twitter.com/tadakatz/status/46274214654787584
終夜運転のメトロの駅員に、大変ですねって声かけたら、笑顔で、 こんな時ですから！だって。捨てたもんじゃないね、感動した。
Station staff
I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you. Thank you.” He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!” I was touched.
* おっちゃん
http://twitter.com/sumonya/status/46479563412348928
昨日4時間かけて歩いて帰ってきた主人。赤羽で心が折れそうになってた時「お寒い中大変ですね！あったかいコーヒーどうぞ！」って叫びながら無料配布してるおっちゃんに出会った。これがあったから頑張れたそうだ。もう5回もこの話をしてくるので本当に嬉しかったんだと思う。おっちゃんありがとう。
Coffee
My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours. He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold. Here, have some coffee!” My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking. I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched! Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper!
* 献血の列
http://twitter.com/NOBCHIDORI/status/46477518169047040
日本は強いです！大阪難波の献血施設は被災地の方の為に超満員の順番待ちでした。私欲の無い列を初めて見ました。感動しました。被災地の方々、全国でその辛さを受け止めます。諦めずに頑張って下さい！
Blood donations
Japan is strong! At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center. This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give. It was a moving sight! To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief. Do not give up! Stay strong!
* 節電営業
http://twitter.com/hisyakakukeima/status/46584079558250496
近所のスーパー・サミットに来てみたら、通常深夜1時まで営業なのに大きい看板が付いていなかった。早めに店を閉めたのかと思ったら、外の電気だけ消して節電しつつ営業していた。ちょっと感動
Saving electricity for the North
I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas. Wow!
* 買うのやめるわ
http://twitter.com/raai15/status/46546475362160640
バイト先に若いお兄さんたちが軍団でお酒を買いに来たんだけど、その中の一人が｢やべえ、オレお酒のためにしかお金持ってきてないから募金できん。ちょっとこれ買うのやめるわ｣って言って商品返品してそのお金全部募金してた。お友達も続々と募金しててすごい感動した。 すごいよ
Not enough money!
At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze. One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate! Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box. One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him. What a heart-warming sight that was!
* いつでも買える
http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264
今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。 この話感動しました。
Goth youth
A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.
* 絶対うまいはず
http://twitter.com/kyugatimuti/statuses/46594200061493249
僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う
They looked absolutely delicious!
I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!
* お菓子いっぱい
http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465
すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。
Another Disney episode
Amazing! My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now. He’s got bags and bags of free sweets. Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back. All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made. Disneyland is truly a world class brand!
* 困ったときは！
http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120
昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。
Same boat!
Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home. But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!” I was able to hitch a ride on one of them. When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”
* 充電されたい方は・・・・
http://twitter.com/yamachin_x1/statuses/46609620210421760
避難所にいたときに、社会人1年生で、研修でこっちにきてた女の子が、たまたま携帯のバッテリーも持参してたらしく、体育館のコンセントを使用する許可ももらい、「携帯の充電をされたい方は、ご自由につかってください」と呼びかけて回ってたんだ。僕はその子にとても感動したんだよ･･
Need to charge your phone?
At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone? Please use my charger!” Just a little thing, but I was touched.
Jun notes:
Japanese people have been very open on Twitter about their experiences following the quake. These snippets of what moved them and touched them during these very trying times are heart-warming. I have attempted a rough translation on some of them so that you can have a read.
Please continue to pray for the people in Japan.
I hope these mini-stories will bring strength and encouragement to my friends and family in Japan by letting them know that, not only does the world sympathize with them, it looks up to them in admiration! My thoughts are with you.
* ディズニーランドでの出来事
http://twitter.com/unosuke/status/46376846505426944
ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった
At Tokyo Disneyland:
Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.
* 国連からのメッセージ
http://twitter.com/akitosk/status/46302222346223616
国連からのコメント「日本は今まで世界中に援助をしてきた援助大国だ。今回は国連が全力で日本を援助する。」 に感動した。良い事をしたら戻ってくるのです。これがいい例なのです
Message from the UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon: “Japan is one of (the UN’s) most generous and strongest benefactors, coming to the assistance of those in need the world over. In that spirit, the United Nations stands by the people of Japan and we will do anything and everything we can at this very difficult time.” I was moved at his words. What better example that good things happen to those who do good.
* 渋滞した交差点での出来事
http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320
一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。
At a congested downtown intersection …
Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile. At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way. It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.
* 揺れている最中でも・・・
http://twitter.com/gj_neko26/statuses/46394706481004544
聞いた話でびっくりしたのが、とっさに「入口の確保」と揺れてるにも関わらず、あの状況で歩いて入口を開けた人が居たのが凄いと思った。正直、シャンデリアも証明も何時落ちるか分からないのに、凄く勇敢な人が居た事に感動した。
During the earthquake
We’ve all been trained to immediately open the doors and establish an escape route when there is an earthquake. In the middle of the quake while the building was shaking crazily and things falling everywhere, a man made his way to the entrance and held it open. Honestly, the chandelier could have crashed down any minute … that was a brave man!
* バス停で・・・
http://twitter.com/yunico_jp/status/46168394755612672
バスが全然来ない中、@saiso が、バス停の前にある薬局でカイロを買ってきて、並んで待ってる人みんなに配った！
Bus stop mini episode:
It was freezing and bus was taking ages to arrive. “@saiso” left the queue to run to a nearby pharmacy. He bought heating pads and gave one to everyone in the queue!
* ディズニーシーにて
http://twitter.com/kfstudio/status/46390032776437760
ディズニーシーに一泊した娘、無事帰宅しました！キャストのみなさんが寒い中でも笑顔で接してくれて不安を感じることなく過ごせたそうです。防寒のカイロやビニール袋、夜・朝の軽食と飲み物、おやつまで。ディズニーの素晴らしさに感動です。頑張ってくれたキャストさん、ほんとにありがとう！！
Thank you Tokyo Disney Sea
My daughter who was staying at DisneySea just made it back home! Many, many thanks to the staff who worked very hard in the cold with ready smiles that made her to feel safe and secure during the entire night. They brought her food, drinks, snacks, heating pads, and anything necessary to ensure she was comfortable and secure throughout her stay. I was touched by the Disney staff’s warmth and hospitality. Thank you so much!
* 日本人の良さを再認識
http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376
この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。
Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people
This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears.
* 段ボールに感動
http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432
ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。
Card board boxes, Thank you!
It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.
* 外国人から見た日本人
http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928
外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。
What foreigners are saying about Japanese people
At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them. On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman. Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these. I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw. Japan is truly amazing.
* メディアの動きについて
http://twitter.com/V10CENTAURO/statuses/46388641001508864
ツイッターやＵＳＴでの状況共有と、それに連動するマスコミの動きは、阪神淡路大震災の時とは比べ物にならない質の高さを感じる。もちろん過去の辛い経験から得た教訓を、みんな活かそうとしている感動。
Information network this time around
The information sharing efforts on Twitter or USTREAM, together with the quality of coverage and crucial updates provided by the mass media this time around is incomparable to what we got during the Kobe earthquake. I am deeply impressed by Japan’s successful efforts and ability to put to practice lessons learnt from past tragedies.
* 絵師さん
http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920
絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。
Touch of art
I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them. I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.
* BBCの報道
http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681
本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。
BBC Reports
The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry. They were praising us with words of admiration! “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations. The strength of its government and its people are put to the test. While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy. The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”
* 父親の行動
http://twitter.com/s_hayatsuki/status/46386255767937024
1階に下りて中部電力から関東に送電が始まってる話をしたら、普段はTVも暖房も明かりもつけっぱなしの父親が何も言わずに率先してコンセントを抜きに行った。少し感動した。
A little story about Papa
We live in an area that was not directly hit. When my father came downstairs and heard the news saying that our area had begun allocating electricity to the hard-hit areas, he quietly led by example, turning off the power around the house and pulling the plugs out of their sockets. I was touched. He usually NEVER turns off the lights or the AC or the TV or anything!
* 整列する日本人
http://twitter.com/HASUNA_Natsuko/status/46331839136276480
日本人すごい！！こんな時にも山手線ホームできれいに整列してる …涙。有楽町駅を上から眺む。 http://twitpic.com/48kn1u
Japanese people don’t shove
I'm looking at Yurakucho station from above. I see people standing in line, not pushing or shoving to get onto the Yamanote Line (probably the busiest line in central Tokyo), even at a time like this!
* パン屋
http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136
昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。
The bakery lady
There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!
* 日本ってすごい
http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984
日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！
Japan is a wonderful nation!
Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today. There are truck drivers helping evacuees move. I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region! There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore. Japan is an amazing place! I’m just simply touched. Go Japan!
* twitterすごい
http://twitter.com/bobiko009/statuses/46403721046933504
Twitterの方々の情報とかが一致団結しててすごくたすかります。みなさま親切です！！こういうとき、なんか、感動します。最近は近所とつきあいなかったり冷たい世の中だとか思ってたけどそんなことなかったね。
Twitter is amazing!
The information shared to us all by the twitter community has been amazingly consistent with each other and has been so helpful. Thank you Twitterers! I’m very moved. People recently talk about social networks replacing traditional social life and making people cold and unsociable in real life. But … I guess that’s not true at all.
* ドイツ人の友達
http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352
ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。
From a German friend
A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit. He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building. My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was. He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back. My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army.
* スーパーでの出来事
http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616
スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀； でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙）
At the supermarket
I just came back safely from the supermarket! Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them.
* 御殿場で
http://twitter.com/Raaaaayuu/statuses/46392890313801728
実際日本すごいよ。昨日信号が一カ所も機能していない御殿場市でもお互いにドライバー同士譲り合ってたし、地元のおじいちゃんおばあちゃんが手信号やってくれてたりで、混乱もなく本当感動した。9時間運転してたけど前車を煽るようなドライバーはもちろんいなかったし、みんな譲り合い精神。
Gotenba traffic
Japan is really something! Yesterday, not a single traffic light was functioning in Gotenba City. But drivers knew to take turns at intersections and give way to others when needed. Local people were using flags to direct traffic at intersections. I drove for 9 hours but never saw a single car trying to get in front of another. Every single driver on the road contributed to the traffic situation and as a result there was no confusion at all.
* 「みんな」
http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288
タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。｢みんな大変だから｣という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。
“All of us”
I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations. All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time. They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring. They told me “… because all of us are in this together.” I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people. It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation.
* 日本の強さ
http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849
サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。
A strong Japan
Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines. Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots. Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another. Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad. Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation. Be strong, everyone!
* 朝礼
http://twitter.com/kyoheimai/status/46374747755388928
今朝の朝礼で「何があっても決して不安な顔は見せずに売り場に立つ以上はおもてなしをする気持ちを忘れずにお客様を安心させてあげてください」ちょっと感動した。がんばるか。開店です!
Morning Ceremony
At the shopping center I work at, every morning we have a ritual (common in Japan) where we stand and recite, “No matter what the situation, I will never show anxiety before my customer; in all customer-facing situations I will treat my customers with respect and do everything I can to make them feel comfortable and at ease”. Today, these words were all actually kind of touching. Well, so the day begins! Here we go people, open shop!
* 井上さん
http://twitter.com/frankyonn/status/46401442583552000
井上雄彦さんがものすごい勢いで笑顔のイラストをいっぱいあげてて感動する。励ましとか勇気とかメッセージって、こういうことなんだなーと思う。 ＲＴ@inouetake Smile42.
Mr. Inoue
Mr. Inoue has been churning out drawings of smiling and laughing faces at an amazing pace! Things like this remind me again of what it truly means to give people a message of strength and courage.
* 学び
http://twitter.com/chaos_chaotic/statuses/46388646038876160
TLの拡散希望を見て思ったことは、阪神淡路大地震から学んだことがとても多くツイートされていること。当たり前のことなんだけど、やはり人間は、学んで考えることができる生き物なんだと改めて思い、感動した。
Lessons Learnt
What caught my attention on twitter is that a lot of the tweets were about the Kobe earthquake and how what we have learned from it has been put into practice this time around. I know it goes without saying, but I was once again reminded of how humans are indeed creatures that possess the amazing ability to think and learn from experience. It’s a great thought.
* ローマから
http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896
ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。
Message from a friend in Rome
My friend in Rome emailed me. He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation. People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us.
* 声をかけること
http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320
昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。 家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。 【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。 ありがとう。
A strong voice
Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you!
* 助け合い
http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488
警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。
The beauty of helping one another
I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City. I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.
* バイクでよければ
http://twitter.com/hikaru_star/statuses/46332900928532480
僕は感動しました。バイトの先輩が1人でも救うために寒い中紙に「バイクでよければ送ります」と書き駅前で掲げ鳶職のお兄ちゃんを所沢まで送ったそうです。世の中まだ捨てたもんじゃないなって思いました。本当に尊敬です！！自分もなんか人の役に立ちたいと生まれて初めて思いました。
I just have a bike
I’m so touched! My colleague at my part time job, wanting to help even just one extra person, wrote a sign saying “I just have a bike, but if you don’t mind hop on!”, rode out on his motorbike, picked up a stranded construction worker and took him all the way to Tokorozawa! Respect! I have never felt so strongly that I want to do something helpful for others.
* 乗り合い
http://twitter.com/pao313/statuses/46332792174411776
浦和美園からタクシー使えると思ったのが甘かった…30分歩いてたら知らない人が車に乗せてくれた（つд；*) 人間の優しさに感動。ありがとうございました。
Sharing your ride
It was stupid of me to think I could catch a cab at Urawamien Station. I ended up walking 30 minutes and then finally was picked up by a stranger who offered to give me a lift. I’m touched by the warmth of human kindness. Thank you, thank you!
* 開放
http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609
昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。
Rest here!
Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home. So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot. It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!” The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home. I was so touch I felt like crying. Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears.
* コンビニ
http://twitter.com/sugarun/statuses/46323030732967936
停電地区のほとんどの店が店を閉めてる中、あるセブンイレブンが店内陳列棚にいくつもろうそくを置いて、営業をしていた。レジが使えないため在庫確認用のハンディで値段確認し読み上げ、もう1人が電卓で計算、もうひとりが懐中電灯で照らす。その状態でレジ２台稼動させていた。感動した。
At the convenience store
While most of the convenience stores near the station were closed because of the quake, there was just one Seven Eleven that was open. The employees had lit lots of candles and put them on the stores shelves. The cash register was not working and they could not take inventory, so the employees worked in threes, one reading up the item description and price, another punching the numbers into a calculator, and the last one using a flashlight to help them work. The store managed to operate both “cash registers” efficiently this way. Impressed!
* 避難所
http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280
長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。
On the way to the emergency evacuation area
My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people.
* 呼びかけ
http://twitter.com/akanensm/status/46214540161064960
何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな
A big, kind voice
I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!
* ホームにて
http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008
都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。
On the platform
The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested. On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train. But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way. Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly. And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do! I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness! I have nothing but praise for these people!
* 駅員さん
http://twitter.com/tadakatz/status/46274214654787584
終夜運転のメトロの駅員に、大変ですねって声かけたら、笑顔で、 こんな時ですから！だって。捨てたもんじゃないね、感動した。
Station staff
I said to a Tokyometro station staff who was on all-night duty, “I’m sure it has been a tough night for you. Thank you.” He responded with a smile, “On a night like this, gladly!” I was touched.
* おっちゃん
http://twitter.com/sumonya/status/46479563412348928
昨日4時間かけて歩いて帰ってきた主人。赤羽で心が折れそうになってた時「お寒い中大変ですね！あったかいコーヒーどうぞ！」って叫びながら無料配布してるおっちゃんに出会った。これがあったから頑張れたそうだ。もう5回もこの話をしてくるので本当に嬉しかったんだと思う。おっちゃんありがとう。
Coffee
My husband finally got home very late last night after walking for 4 hours. He told me he felt like giving up at around Akabane, when an elderly man who was going around handing out free coffee saw him, gave him a steaming cup and said, “You must be tired and cold. Here, have some coffee!” My husband told me that it was because of this elderly man that he found the will and strength to continue walking. I’ve already heard this story from him five times tonight, so no doubt he was really, really touched! Thank you to my husband’s anonymous helper!
* 献血の列
http://twitter.com/NOBCHIDORI/status/46477518169047040
日本は強いです！大阪難波の献血施設は被災地の方の為に超満員の順番待ちでした。私欲の無い列を初めて見ました。感動しました。被災地の方々、全国でその辛さを受け止めます。諦めずに頑張って下さい！
Blood donations
Japan is strong! At Osaka I saw a LONG line of people waiting to give blood at the blood donation center. This is the first time I have seen such a queue of selfless people waiting patiently in line just to give. It was a moving sight! To everyone in the hard-hit areas, we your countrymen accept your suffering as our own and we share in your grief. Do not give up! Stay strong!
* 節電営業
http://twitter.com/hisyakakukeima/status/46584079558250496
近所のスーパー・サミットに来てみたら、通常深夜1時まで営業なのに大きい看板が付いていなかった。早めに店を閉めたのかと思ったら、外の電気だけ消して節電しつつ営業していた。ちょっと感動
Saving electricity for the North
I went to my neighborhood supermarket and was initially surprised that their neon signs were off. They usually are open till 1AM. I then found out that they were open, but were saving electricity so that more power could be channeled to the hard-hit coastal areas. Wow!
* 買うのやめるわ
http://twitter.com/raai15/status/46546475362160640
バイト先に若いお兄さんたちが軍団でお酒を買いに来たんだけど、その中の一人が｢やべえ、オレお酒のためにしかお金持ってきてないから募金できん。ちょっとこれ買うのやめるわ｣って言って商品返品してそのお金全部募金してた。お友達も続々と募金しててすごい感動した。 すごいよ
Not enough money!
At the store where I work, a huge group of young men suddenly came in to buy booze. One of them suddenly said, “Oops, I only have enough money to buy booze, I can’t donate! Forget the booze, maybe next time!” and instead put ALL his money into the disaster relief donation box. One by one, every single one of the army of youths threw all their money into the box after him. What a heart-warming sight that was!
* いつでも買える
http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264
今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。 この話感動しました。
Goth youth
A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.
* 絶対うまいはず
http://twitter.com/kyugatimuti/statuses/46594200061493249
僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う
They looked absolutely delicious!
I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!
* お菓子いっぱい
http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465
すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。
Another Disney episode
Amazing! My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now. He’s got bags and bags of free sweets. Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back. All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made. Disneyland is truly a world class brand!
* 困ったときは！
http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120
昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。
Same boat!
Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home. But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!” I was able to hitch a ride on one of them. When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”
* 充電されたい方は・・・・
http://twitter.com/yamachin_x1/statuses/46609620210421760
避難所にいたときに、社会人1年生で、研修でこっちにきてた女の子が、たまたま携帯のバッテリーも持参してたらしく、体育館のコンセントを使用する許可ももらい、「携帯の充電をされたい方は、ご自由につかってください」と呼びかけて回ってたんだ。僕はその子にとても感動したんだよ･･
Need to charge your phone?
At the emergency evacuation area, a young first-year intern at my company who had brought her phone’s charger got permission from the facility to use their power socket and went around shouting “Anyone need to charge their phone? Please use my charger!” Just a little thing, but I was touched.
Moral calculus
It is a truism that disasters bring out the best and the worst in people.
I tend to believe that most people sustain a basic level of compassion for each other, even for those they have never met or those who live at great distances of separation, whether such separations are social, economic, cultural or simply geographical. This is not to say that I am unaware of the existence of unpleasant or even genuinely evil people. In general, however, I have faith that such people are in the minority. And I think there is good evidence that my optimism is a kind of realism, which I mean in full consciousness of the ambiguity of the term ‘realism’ and hence the multifarious motivations that could undergird acts of compassion and charity.
A number of years ago I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which was constructed in 1954 in the ruins of what was once the bustling business district of Hiroshima before the atomic bomb destroyed the city and so many lives. The museum has gone through a number of different iterations as the Japanese and the rest of the world struggle to come to terms with how to remember such unbelievable and unspeakable horror. By the time I visited, however, the museum was a moving and even harrowing experience, with most of the controversial political issues exorcised from its displays (which itself was controversial, of course). I confess that I walked through the park and museum in a rather numb state of disbelief as I tried to understand the historical reality of what was being presented to me. Looking around, it was clear that nearly everyone else there was in the same kind of condition. What was at stake was not the political or strategic salience of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the closing days of WWII (about which scholars and policy makers have debated for decades), but simply the human suffering that the bombs brought on the people who were going about their lives in these cities – this requires no debate.
But there was a family of American tourists who burst into the mausoleum-like silence of the museum just before I left. They were happy and jovial, laughing at some of the exhibits and pushing through the lines of people who were walking in rather shocked silence. Before I go on, I should say that there were many other Americans in the museum who seemed as shocked as I was by this behaviour, shocked and embarrassed: this is not about American-ness, whatever that might be. My mind cycled through various responses: repugnance at inappropriate behaviour, but then a glimmer of understanding that perhaps they were just overwhelmed by it all and hence responding with some juvenile form of denial. In the end, my view of this family was sealed when I followed them to the guestbook that is provided near the exit of the museum for visitors to write their thoughts and feelings as they leave. In general, the book is filled with the apparently heart-felt agonies and compassion of people from all over the world, as well as from Japan, who were simply stunned into disbelief that people could do this to one another and that people could endure so much horror. But the last three entries in the book, by the father and two sons of the family I watched, simply said: F*&k you Japs! This is what you get for Pearl Harbor! It was written three times in the same words, but in different handwriting.
On the one hand, this incident reveals something reassuring. The vast majority of people who were confronted with this human tragedy reacted with compassion and sympathy and disbelief; only a tiny minority seemed to find pleasure in the suffering of others. On the other hand, the logic of that minority view is pernicious and dangerous. It revolves around what ethicists and historians have come to call ‘moral calculus’: the belief that one atrocity can be balanced against another, that vengeance is a mechanism for levelling the scales of justice.
As the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis has unfurled in Japan this month, I have been reassured by the massive support that the people of Japan have received from the international community, who recognised a human tragedy in the making. However, as in the Hiroshima Museum, I have also seen an ugly and vindictive minority who have sought to deploy a version of ‘moral calculus’ to give voice to their own chauvinisms and hatreds. There appear to be two such ‘equations’ doing the rounds of internet forums and chatrooms: one of them involves the now customary accusation that Japan deserves all the tragedies that it suffers because of ‘Pearl Harbor’ (whatever might have happened there in reality); the other seems to revolve around the idea that the Japanese deserved the be hit by this earthquake and tsunami and nuclear crisis because they eat whale meat and kill dolphins (and the Sendai area is a major fishing zone). In some cases, this latter charge is phrased as: it serves them right for ‘The Cove.’
Just as I was shocked by the family in the Hiroshima Museum, I am shocked to see such sentiments amidst such suffering and such widespread human compassion. However, in some ways this represents a new low-point in the kind of moral calculus employed to justify such vindictiveness: in this case, the calculators are not claiming that human vengeance for wrongs suffered can be justified by the moral equivalence of the wrongs inflicted (Pearl Harbor = Hiroshima & Nagasaki); instead, they are claiming that historical events justify any and all calamities that might befall a people in the future, whether enacted by historical victims or even by the planet Earth itself. That is, the calculus is not so much moral as karmic, and karmic on a national scale (ie. it is not individual people that accumulate karma, but nations accumulate it and then their people suffer for it). The despicable ridiculousness of this logic reminds me of a brilliantly disturbing episode of South Park in which it is revealed that the Japanese kill dolphins and whales because the American government convinced them that a whale piloted the Enola Gay (presumably in order to prevent the moral calculus around Hiroshima & Nagasaki working against the USA).
Posted by Chris
I tend to believe that most people sustain a basic level of compassion for each other, even for those they have never met or those who live at great distances of separation, whether such separations are social, economic, cultural or simply geographical. This is not to say that I am unaware of the existence of unpleasant or even genuinely evil people. In general, however, I have faith that such people are in the minority. And I think there is good evidence that my optimism is a kind of realism, which I mean in full consciousness of the ambiguity of the term ‘realism’ and hence the multifarious motivations that could undergird acts of compassion and charity.
A number of years ago I visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, which was constructed in 1954 in the ruins of what was once the bustling business district of Hiroshima before the atomic bomb destroyed the city and so many lives. The museum has gone through a number of different iterations as the Japanese and the rest of the world struggle to come to terms with how to remember such unbelievable and unspeakable horror. By the time I visited, however, the museum was a moving and even harrowing experience, with most of the controversial political issues exorcised from its displays (which itself was controversial, of course). I confess that I walked through the park and museum in a rather numb state of disbelief as I tried to understand the historical reality of what was being presented to me. Looking around, it was clear that nearly everyone else there was in the same kind of condition. What was at stake was not the political or strategic salience of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the closing days of WWII (about which scholars and policy makers have debated for decades), but simply the human suffering that the bombs brought on the people who were going about their lives in these cities – this requires no debate.
On the one hand, this incident reveals something reassuring. The vast majority of people who were confronted with this human tragedy reacted with compassion and sympathy and disbelief; only a tiny minority seemed to find pleasure in the suffering of others. On the other hand, the logic of that minority view is pernicious and dangerous. It revolves around what ethicists and historians have come to call ‘moral calculus’: the belief that one atrocity can be balanced against another, that vengeance is a mechanism for levelling the scales of justice.
As the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis has unfurled in Japan this month, I have been reassured by the massive support that the people of Japan have received from the international community, who recognised a human tragedy in the making. However, as in the Hiroshima Museum, I have also seen an ugly and vindictive minority who have sought to deploy a version of ‘moral calculus’ to give voice to their own chauvinisms and hatreds. There appear to be two such ‘equations’ doing the rounds of internet forums and chatrooms: one of them involves the now customary accusation that Japan deserves all the tragedies that it suffers because of ‘Pearl Harbor’ (whatever might have happened there in reality); the other seems to revolve around the idea that the Japanese deserved the be hit by this earthquake and tsunami and nuclear crisis because they eat whale meat and kill dolphins (and the Sendai area is a major fishing zone). In some cases, this latter charge is phrased as: it serves them right for ‘The Cove.’
Just as I was shocked by the family in the Hiroshima Museum, I am shocked to see such sentiments amidst such suffering and such widespread human compassion. However, in some ways this represents a new low-point in the kind of moral calculus employed to justify such vindictiveness: in this case, the calculators are not claiming that human vengeance for wrongs suffered can be justified by the moral equivalence of the wrongs inflicted (Pearl Harbor = Hiroshima & Nagasaki); instead, they are claiming that historical events justify any and all calamities that might befall a people in the future, whether enacted by historical victims or even by the planet Earth itself. That is, the calculus is not so much moral as karmic, and karmic on a national scale (ie. it is not individual people that accumulate karma, but nations accumulate it and then their people suffer for it). The despicable ridiculousness of this logic reminds me of a brilliantly disturbing episode of South Park in which it is revealed that the Japanese kill dolphins and whales because the American government convinced them that a whale piloted the Enola Gay (presumably in order to prevent the moral calculus around Hiroshima & Nagasaki working against the USA).
Posted by Chris
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Exploring the "Truthies" of a self-proclaimed ignorant mind
(on the occasion of the inaugural LUC-Brill Nijhoff Writing Institute Lecture by Professor Adam Roberts)
Despite the fact that his own head was considerably too large for Dr. Kim's ground-control microphone, Adam Roberts was still able to present a thought-provoking yet arguably ironic, talk on the giant heads of contemporary 'democracy'. Like a tiger being ignorant to hunting, or a fish being ignorant to brine, we are all rotating the motors of democracy in a dark enclosed room, without truly understanding why and without fathoming the effect that it is having on our world. We base our political decisions on 'truthies' and not on truths. We "reckon", we don't believe.
Dr Hyowon Kim introduces Professor Adam Roberts
Following this trail of thought, Adam Roberts explains that in fact we are the body of democracy. We effectively implement democracy despite our complete lack of political expertise. The head resting on our shoulders are the leaders and the experts. They might guide us, but it is still our bodies that carry the head. So what would happen if we were to decapitate democracy? Would all the tiny people building up the body flow out and form an anarchy? According to Roberts not. During his talk he explained how New Model Army was intended to evaluate the merits of a 'complete democracy' where everyone is proficient in all fields, and where there is hence no need for a head. He claimed that he wanted to show that removing the head would not necessarily directly result in an uncontrollable mob, but could in fact be very efficient.
In addition to sharing his personal views on contemporary 'democracy' and the ignorant "truthies" that people commit themselves too, Adam Roberts was also able to capture our attention with his witty remarks. After the talk someone quite rightly commented: "Friday night comedy." It is true that in this way Adam Roberts' lecture was rather different than the majority of the lectures we have attended so far. It struck me that in fact Roberts was not only illustrating the questions which he raises in his book and his personal reflection on democracy, but also his artistic use of language. To put a short story short, it was a Friday evening well spent. So great thanks to Adam Roberts, the LUC writing institute and all those who organised the lecture.
Rosalind Lowe (LUC, 1st yr student), 4 Feb 2011
Albert Hoffstadt of Brill explains the LUC-Brill Nijhoff alliance;
Prof Roberts is pressed for an autograph; and the audience sits entranced.
Despite the fact that his own head was considerably too large for Dr. Kim's ground-control microphone, Adam Roberts was still able to present a thought-provoking yet arguably ironic, talk on the giant heads of contemporary 'democracy'. Like a tiger being ignorant to hunting, or a fish being ignorant to brine, we are all rotating the motors of democracy in a dark enclosed room, without truly understanding why and without fathoming the effect that it is having on our world. We base our political decisions on 'truthies' and not on truths. We "reckon", we don't believe.
Following this trail of thought, Adam Roberts explains that in fact we are the body of democracy. We effectively implement democracy despite our complete lack of political expertise. The head resting on our shoulders are the leaders and the experts. They might guide us, but it is still our bodies that carry the head. So what would happen if we were to decapitate democracy? Would all the tiny people building up the body flow out and form an anarchy? According to Roberts not. During his talk he explained how New Model Army was intended to evaluate the merits of a 'complete democracy' where everyone is proficient in all fields, and where there is hence no need for a head. He claimed that he wanted to show that removing the head would not necessarily directly result in an uncontrollable mob, but could in fact be very efficient.
In addition to sharing his personal views on contemporary 'democracy' and the ignorant "truthies" that people commit themselves too, Adam Roberts was also able to capture our attention with his witty remarks. After the talk someone quite rightly commented: "Friday night comedy." It is true that in this way Adam Roberts' lecture was rather different than the majority of the lectures we have attended so far. It struck me that in fact Roberts was not only illustrating the questions which he raises in his book and his personal reflection on democracy, but also his artistic use of language. To put a short story short, it was a Friday evening well spent. So great thanks to Adam Roberts, the LUC writing institute and all those who organised the lecture.
Rosalind Lowe (LUC, 1st yr student), 4 Feb 2011
Prof Roberts is pressed for an autograph; and the audience sits entranced.
Armchairs and white coats
Armchairs and white coats: the crisis of the humanities
(on the occasion of the inaugural ‘LUC Philosophy in the World’ lecture by Professor Simon Blackburn
“Philosophers from the 21st century cannot ignore science,” warns the renowned British philosopher Simon Blackburn, “but they should not let themselves be taken over by it.” As technology advances, an increasing number of research domains that have traditionally been located in the sphere of philosophy are being ‘taken over’ by the sciences. With the dawn of fMRI scans and other such instruments, questions about human nature can no longer exclusively be evaluated from within the proverbial philosopher’s armchair – they can be brought into the lab, a research facility with more authority. As a result of this, the gap between the sciences and the humanities is widening at an ever faster pace. “Good for technology,” remarks Blackburn, “bad for science and education.” Reflecting on this crisis of the humanities, Prof. Blackburn points out some fundamental problems with the institutional delivery of science that suggest that science needs input from the humanities.
A problem in today’s physics classroom is that little to no attention is paid to the ontology and metaphysics of science. Illustrating this point, Blackburn tells an amusing – if slightly worrying – anecdote about his daughter who, although able to solve complex equations, did not grasp the concept of ‘energy’. Asking her teacher about this (“what is energy?”), she was simply told to get on and solve the equations. Incidents like this are symptomatic of the widening gap between “ideal science” and the “institutional delivery of science”; the first referring to science as it should be taught and pursued (science as a value or end in itself), the latter referring to the manner in which it is currently taught and pursued. The education of science should not only be about solving equations and ‘mindlessly’ measuring the measureable, it should also provide students with a thorough understanding of what they are doing, of how this is relevant and of how theories are formed. In other words, they should be taught the philosophy of science alongside the content of science, and they should be taught to be critical.
Stressing the importance of being critical, Blackburn points to another problem with the sciences: the often blurred boundary between the ideology of scientists and what they present as scientific fact. This twilight zone between science and opinion is clear especially in claims that pertain to matters like human nature and free will. To illustrate, Blackburn mentions Richard Dawkins’s statement that “we are born selfish.” Presenting this as a scientific fact (without any reservations whatsoever), Dawkins overlooks recent research about human nature that suggests otherwise or at least complicates the claim. “Claims like these,” says Blackburn, “require more philosophical and epistemological thought – they are often a reflection of the spirit of the time.” The spirit of our time, in turn, is influenced by the formation of theories. If we were to accept the views expressed by these scholars as true, we would start acting as if they were true. Statements like “we are born selfish” are dangerous especially because, despite their questionable truth-value, they are presented as facts by people in positions of authority. “A dangerous interface between ideology, science and the humanities,” warns Blackburn.
The gap between ideal science and the institutional delivery of science is further widened by the way in which research is presently funded. Researchers (including scientists and scholars from the humanities) are dependent on the findings or results of their publications for their income and research grants. Yet a lot of science that might open up new research domains or science that is just plain ‘boring’ does not appeal to investors. As a result of this, researchers are often forced to conduct research that satisfies the investor. Dependent on the investor’s satisfaction for their next research grant, they may already be biased toward a result that will satisfy the investor (sometimes actively looking for a statistical correlation that may favour the investor in an otherwise insignificant set of data). If anything, “this is an open invitation to junk science,” remarks Blackburn. Yet it is not only the scientists who are affected by such policies. Philosophers, too, are dependent on their output for their income. Where formerly students of philosophy were taught not to say anything unless they actually had something to say, they are now told (if not pushed) to publish as much as they can. According to Blackburn (and I wholeheartedly agree), this is “a complete debasement of the academic exercise.”
Ending his lecture on a more positive note, Blackburn points out that there are ways to get past these institutional perversions. For instance, thanks to more sources of private research funding, scholars in the United States are not as driven by ‘impact’ indicators as those in the United Kingdom. Even so, the humanities remain under threat and Blackburn’s critique of the institutional delivery of science remains valid. Fortunately, he is not alone in expressing his worry about the present role of the humanities in the sciences and the role of research assessment exercises in funding allocation. Throughout his lecture, I could not help but notice that the worries expressed by Prof. Blackburn resonated with some discussions held within our Disciplinarity & Beyond classes – an encouraging development. Whether it means that Prof. Blackburn’s critique is already being internalised remains to be seen, but I am hopeful that his voice (and the voice of many other critics) will be heard. All in all, an inspiring – if worrying – lecture, and from within my comfortable armchair I can wholeheartedly say that Prof. Blackburn has truly changed my life.
Barend de Rooij (LUC, 1st yr student), 4 March 2011
Historical context
It is well know that Japan sits precariously at the meeting of several tectonic plates and hence that it is prone to seismic activity. The horrible events that started off the Oshika Peninsula on 11/3/11 have a shocking lineage in Japanese history. The Sendai earthquake of 2011, which had its hypocentre at a depth of 24.4km just off the coast of Oshika, has been of such severity that it is termed a megathrust earthquake (magnitude 8.9 or 9.0) and it generated tsunami of 10m in height. This is the most powerful earthquake to have hit Japan since records began, and amongst the 5 most severe earthquakes in the world
(the more severe being: Validivia, Chile, 1960 (9.5); Alaska, USA, 1964 (9.2); Indian Ocean, Indonesia, 2004 (9.1); Kamchatka, Russia, 1952 (9.0)). The Sendai quake was so powerful that many of its hundreds of aftershocks also rate as amongst the most serious earthquakes of modern times in their own right. The associated tsunami struck Kamaishi, Miyako and Yamadamachi and generated tsunami warnings in 19 other countries.
Kamaishi in March 2011
Texas Tech have produced a real-time viewer that maps the aftershocks:
In the twentieth century alone, Japan has survived a host of terrible quakes, only the most famous of which are:
September 1923
Perhaps the most iconic and devasting quake of modern times in Japan, the Great Kanto earthquake was of magnitude 8.3. Its epicentre was near the twin cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, and it is estimated that approx142,800 people lost their lives, largely as a result of the firestorms that devastated the area after the quake, reducing approx. 50% of residences to ruins. The quake was accompanied by 12m tsunami in the Sagami Bay.
March 1933Taking place in an area rather close to the 2011 quake (almost exactly 78 years later), the so-called Sanriku earthquake hit with a magnitude of 8.4. It is estimated that 3,000 lives were lost. As in 2011, most of the casualties appear to have been caused by a large tsunami that devastated the area, especially around Kamaishi Bay, Iwate.
Kamaishi in March 1933
Kamaishi in March 2011
June 1948
The Fukui earthquake (of magnitude 7.3) caused massive structural damage to approx.. 70,000 homes and claimed 3,769 lives.
June 1978
Also in the Sendai area, the so-called Miyagi earthquake was of magnitude 7.7.
January 1995
Most people today will remember the devastation of the Hyogo earthquake (of magnitude 6.9), which struck the Kobe area and claimed 5,500 lives. The earthquake, whose hypocentre was 16 km beneath its epicentre on Awaji Island (20km from the city of Kobe) destroyed approx. 200,000 buildings with 90% of the casualties being reported on the southern coast of Honshu between Kobe and Nishinomiya.
(the more severe being: Validivia, Chile, 1960 (9.5); Alaska, USA, 1964 (9.2); Indian Ocean, Indonesia, 2004 (9.1); Kamchatka, Russia, 1952 (9.0)). The Sendai quake was so powerful that many of its hundreds of aftershocks also rate as amongst the most serious earthquakes of modern times in their own right. The associated tsunami struck Kamaishi, Miyako and Yamadamachi and generated tsunami warnings in 19 other countries.
Texas Tech have produced a real-time viewer that maps the aftershocks:
In the twentieth century alone, Japan has survived a host of terrible quakes, only the most famous of which are:
September 1923
Perhaps the most iconic and devasting quake of modern times in Japan, the Great Kanto earthquake was of magnitude 8.3. Its epicentre was near the twin cities of Tokyo and Yokohama, and it is estimated that approx142,800 people lost their lives, largely as a result of the firestorms that devastated the area after the quake, reducing approx. 50% of residences to ruins. The quake was accompanied by 12m tsunami in the Sagami Bay.
March 1933Taking place in an area rather close to the 2011 quake (almost exactly 78 years later), the so-called Sanriku earthquake hit with a magnitude of 8.4. It is estimated that 3,000 lives were lost. As in 2011, most of the casualties appear to have been caused by a large tsunami that devastated the area, especially around Kamaishi Bay, Iwate.
June 1948
The Fukui earthquake (of magnitude 7.3) caused massive structural damage to approx.. 70,000 homes and claimed 3,769 lives.
June 1978
Also in the Sendai area, the so-called Miyagi earthquake was of magnitude 7.7.
January 1995
Most people today will remember the devastation of the Hyogo earthquake (of magnitude 6.9), which struck the Kobe area and claimed 5,500 lives. The earthquake, whose hypocentre was 16 km beneath its epicentre on Awaji Island (20km from the city of Kobe) destroyed approx. 200,000 buildings with 90% of the casualties being reported on the southern coast of Honshu between Kobe and Nishinomiya.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Japan, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear disaster
The catastrophic and tragic events that have been developing in Japan over the last few days have sent shockwaves around the world. The scale of the disaster is difficult to comprehend, especially at distance, and particularly through the abstractions of the international media. It is impossible to imagine the powerful viscerality of living through such massive demonstrations of the destructive power of nature, and difficult to understand the anxiety and fear of nuclear disaster that has followed the earthquakes and tsunami. From the privileged safety and calm of The Hague, we should remember that these events are first and finally about real people struggling for their lives.
From here, we can only hope that the emergency services and institutions of Japan and elsewhere are able to help, and that the people of Japan receive (and feel) the support they need. I have every faith in the resilience and industry of the people there, but I hope that the staff and students of LUC will do all they can to support those people in this time of dire need. There are ways for us to help, please find them.
For now, on behalf of LUC, I wish those affected by these events strength and health and a speedy recovery.
With deep sincerity, Chris Goto-Jones (dean, LUC)
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