Report from Akita No.2

Now 29th March 2011. Just a few thoughts which I would like to share with you all…I am sure we are all so concerned and depressed about all the news we are hearing now. It has really dampened my spirits and I feel I have lost so much energy recently. However, we all have to be so strong now maybe not for ourselves but to show support for the people who are suffering so much more at this time.

It has been snowing again up here in Akita. I think it must be so hard for the survivors who are now in designated holding areas like schools and gymnasiums, since the tsunami on Friday 11th March 2011. Also, for the residents of Fukushima who have been asked to evacuate their homes because of the threat of pollution from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. The Akita Governor has agreed to take 20,000 evacuees to stay at hot spring hotels and other facilities in Akita to help comfort them.

It is being reported that the bodies retrieved have been buried in mass graves tentatively and at a later date the bodies will be exhumed for traditional burials. The climate, although severe for the survivors, may be a blessing as it helps preserve and slows down bacteria. We are hearing now that, on average, two people a day are succumbing to their ordeal in the holding areas. There is not enough heat, food or medicines getting through to them yet.

Young nursing mothers who are experiencing difficulty in nursing owing to emotional stress have been encouraged by the government to persevere with nursing and to keep taking fluids.

Whilst watching a lot of television coverage I have been rather fascinated with the appearance of all Japanese government officials wearing quite fashionable, coloured boiler suits. I wonder how much they have cost the tax payer and why they have them? Perhaps they even have another change as one suit has to be washed now and again? The officials are really only travelling from their homes to the Diet, perhaps? Did they have them made before or maybe the officials were waiting for the suit’s completion and this held up their decisions on dealing with the immediate perils? I notice that one lady, government official, who always likes to wear white, is now wearing blue and she doesn’t look too happy!

I have a few such observed opinions and whilst I am living in Japan I do not wish to criticize Japan, as I am not Japanese. However, after living here for 38 years I feel I do wish to share some topics.

We are asked to save energy by the Japanese government and I think we are all doing our best. Some people throughout Japan are experiencing power cuts for 3 hours at a time. Therefore, I would really like to ask why Japan does not start using ‘Day Light Saving Time’? In England this system of saving day-light has been well established and it does seem to help with energy savings. I feel this should be implemented immediately.

I am amazed that the sun rises here around 4.30 a.m. but many people do not rise until 7 or 8 a.m. Here would be a great opportunity to save energy! Japan could really harness the power from the sunlight and make so much energy, especially through the summer months.

During the period that the famous all Japan senior high school’s baseball matches are played, it has been discovered that the consumption of electricity goes up tremendously because whilst watching TV the air conditioners throughout Japan are working overtime. Perhaps, these games could start as early as 4.30 a.m. in the morning to save energy and to make it cooler for all the players. I really cannot understand the necessity for night-games, either.

Also, if we cut down energy waste at department stores throughout Japan, it would help a lot…for example, why are all the television sets ON in the Electrical Departments or why are all the lights on in the Lighting Departments? Let’s all start switching them off on passing!

Another thing which really puzzles me is why we see so many transport trucks parked on the side of the road with their engines running – in summer their air conditioners are on and in winter their heaters are on. This running of the engine lasts sometimes as long as one and a half hours, usually during their lunch break. Perhaps we need to think more about the delivery service throughout Japan. It is certainly a wonderful service and so safe and reliable – this proves how honest Japanese people are as nothing is ever stolen. However, I feel it has gone to excess. Maybe, also we need to think about the working conditions of the drivers who are forced to stay in their trucks and endure all the elements.

Why is it now that wherever one goes, the public toilets are all electric washlets? And why is it that, particularly ladies are flushing the toilet sometimes as many as three times for one visit? We could save a lot of water by collecting the rain water off roof tops into water-butts. Using this saved water to water gardens and wash cars or even flush toilets, quite sufficiently. Here in Japan the bath water is saved each day for washing clothes, which I think is something that needs to be adapted in England. In Japan washing machines usually go with bathrooms and in UK washing machines go with kitchens.

All these questions and observations beg the question…if we wish to continue in our present life-style, is it really necessary and where is all the energy going to come from, from now on, and at what price in the long run? Maybe, we have to ask ourselves how many nuclear power plants do we really and honestly need to make our life-style better than it already is? This is a question for the economists.
In the meantime, we are still experiencing very strong deep earthquakes every day and night, throughout Japan. People are worrying about the fallout from the nuclear power station. Eleven vegetables have been taken off the shelves which have been produced in the affected areas and food in general is slightly limited. Water companies have increased their production but it is now at full capacity and probably not enough. The government is muddling through and does not really inspire confidence. The nuclear power company in Fukushima is, in my opinion, on a learning curve for solving the huge problem of damage at the plant. Personally, I am not sure they know what they are doing.

The British Embassy in Tokyo has issued warnings and offered registration for all nationals living in the affected areas and Tokyo. They are also offering water and Iodine Tablets (non-radioactive) potassium iodate, Stable iodine, for British people living in Japan distributed at the Embassies. I’m not sure if I missed this information for Japan by the Japanese government? However, I’m not sure how Japanese can get these pills in Japan.

Again and again I have received messages from all around the world full of compassion for everyone living in Japan at the moment. A very dear friend and Canon of the Church of England, in England, who christened both my boys, has sent a message and prayer…

‘A Frenchman called Anselm became Archbishop of Canterbury UK in the 11th century and put into words a prayer I use every day…’

“God of love, whose compassion, never fails, we bring before you the grief and perils of people and nations, the pains of the sick and injured, the sighing of prisoners and captives, the sorrows of the bereaved, the necessities of the homeless, the helplessness of the weak, the despair, the failing powers of the aged. Comfort and relieve them, O merciful Father, according to their several needs and your great mercy, for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.”