Remembering the Japanese Quake and Tsunami

It has been one year.  Commemorations are underway.  Spare a moment to remember the estimated 19,000 who were lost that terrible day.

2011 In News Photographs

Here is a collection of striking images.  Be warned, though: a few are gruesome.

A Look Back: 45 Memorable Images of 2011

A picture says a thousand words.

A Recipe for Renewal: A Baker Rebuilds in Post-Tsunami Japan

Meet Masayuki Kimura as he rebuilds the baking business that has been in his family for three generations.  That's some serious courage, hope, and commitment right there.  I think I have something in my eye.  The article also has a slideshow and this linked video, which I embed for you here:

Japan: Cleanup Continues

Here are some encouraging before-and-after photos of Japan's massive cleanup and rebuilding efforts after the March earthquake and tsunami.

Like a Good Neighbor: Massive Taiwanese Aid to Post-Earthquake Japan

Here are some rather astounding numbers:

Taiwan, a country of 23 million people, has to date pledged approximately 5.9 billion New Taiwan dollars (about ¥16.7 billion) in relief funds following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan on March 11. 

By comparison, South Korea's 49 million people have raised 55 billion won (about ¥4.1 billion), while the United States, a country of 300 million, has donated $120 million (¥9.8 billion).

I shouldn't have to tell you that this is is neither a contest nor a critique of other nations' generosity and fund-raising on behalf of Japan.  Kudos to everyone from all countries who pitched in to help that beautiful but stricken country -- a lot of the money came from just normal folks donating what they could.  On a personal note, a Japanese friend of mine recently emailed me about her gratitude to Taiwan for its help.  We tiny Asian democracies gotta stick together, after all.

A Tree Blooms in Fukushima

A symbol of hope in Japan.  More here.  I think I have something in my eye.

History and Geology in Japan: Yappari?

History and the predicting of tsunami events.

Japan Update: Order After Chaos

Here are some remarkable stories.  This is how you do it, people.

Awesome: Canine Tsunami Survivor Now Home

First things first. 2-year-old Ban was swept out to sea during the March 11 quakenami and rescued after 3 weeks when he was discovered clinging to wreckage by the Japanese coast guard.  Now he's finally home.  Watch this.  I think I have something in my eye ...

Japan Relief Update: Operation Tomodachi in the Japanese Media

Japan Probe has a nice write-up of a recent Japanese news report on Operation Tomodachi (which previously appeared here).

Should I Stay or Should I Go: Expats in Japan

OK, OK, I confess I wanted to quote some lyrics from The Clash.  Still, the topic hits home.

Public Service Announcement: Always Listen to Your Dog

Especially if she is a 12-year-old shih tzu named Babu.

Terror and Courage at Fukushima: Update

Here is an update on Fukushima, where some 400 workers are taking turns in their Herculean task.  I had posted about these unsung heroes here.  

Awesome: Hideaki Akaiwa 2, Earthquake 0

The delightful website Bad@$$ of the Week typically profiles a different fictional or historical figure every week amid a masterclass-level exhibition of profanity in the service of rip-roaring comedy, and it's great fun.  This time, though, its admiration is clear as it profiles Hideaki Akaiwa, a real-life action hero from Japan.  This is not an exaggeration; his story is fully documented (see the news article links at page bottom).  Read it and be astonished.

Japan Relief Update: Operation Tomodachi

Here is some good stuff as US sailors and Marines go to work in Japan.  Check out the Flickr photostream too.  Yeoman's service indeed.  

Awesome: A Samurai for Japan Relief Fundraising

Arigato.

This is Japanese-American Darin Furukawa working at an American Red Cross fundraiser for Japan outside Los Angeles City Hall (source).  Well done, sir, well done indeed!  More utterly awesome photos here.  (On an unrelated note, I think I'm in love!)


UPDATE:  Video goodness!

Perspective: Japan's Crises Nuclear and Humanitarian

Lately there's been overwhelming and near-hysterical media frenzy about the Fukushima nuclear reactors (which, by the way, cannot become nuclear bombs), and the frenzy is fed in part by the fact that there's a lot of scientific ignorance and misinformation about nuclear power and radiation (here is, for instance, the usually flippant xkcd doing yeoman's work with its explanatory graphic of everyday radiation levels).  I don't want to underplay the very real concern.  See also information on nuclear reactors, radiation, and Fukushima posted by the blog of MIT's Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering.  (I'd also like to point out its comment on nightmare scenarios flooding the media -- they have "varying degrees of scientific merit," which is diplomatic Nerdish for "there's a lot of BS out there.")

But amid it all, though, I can't help feeling that the Fukushima coverage has all but forgotten the much greater and far more terrifying crisis everywhere else in Japan: the humanitarian one as millions of Japanese struggle to cope amid the devastation.  

Aid and relief workers are piling in (here is a riveting account by an Australian aid worker), but the need is unfathomably vast ... and every little bit helps.  Let the specialists keep on  Fukushima, but for God's sake, let us all please do what doesn't require such expertise -- and by that I mean everything we can for the folks.  The next time you're tempted to flip out about Fukushima, I challenge you to give $5 to a charity working in Japan.

PSA: Sandra Bullock Is Kinda Awesome

I might make snarky comments about her fashion choices, but Sandra Bullock is kinda awesome.  I think I'm so used to seeing celebrities act like self-centered idiotic basket cases that I'm actually surprised when one behaves with understated grace, generosity, and consideration for others.  Sandra also gave much to relief efforts after the Haitian disaster and Katrina. Good on you, Sandra!

A Tale of Two Tsunamis?

Hmmmm.  Well, OK, but in the increasing criticism of Obama as "the president who wasn't there" and his foreign policy as being composed of "the missing presence of the US," it brings up another issue: Here's the world you wanted, those of you who wanted a world without the US as the robust, resolute, active leader -- big bad warmongering imperialist America.  Life without America?  Be careful what you wish for.  You just might get it.  Especially if there's a photogenic but empty suit in the Big Chair.  Related: Libya, duh.