120 Miles of Bullet Train Infrastructure Restored

As another testimony to Japan's incredible ability to restore it's infrastructure regardless of the mass damage inflicted on highly complex and expensive technology, large sections of Japan's bullet train systems between Tokyo and the north are already operational, with the rest to quickly follow and be fully restored within April.

(Pre-March 11th footage of major Bullet Train systems in Japan)

The Tohoku Bullet Train system had approximately 1,200 badly damaged sections over a 310-mile area, including severed cables, broken power poles, and cracks in the elevated tracks (see photo below).  However, approximately 120 miles have already been restored, with bullet trains already operational.

There were also no fatalities on the Bullet Train system as a result of the March 11 earthquake.

Although twenty-four Tohoku line Bullet Trains were running at high speeds when the quake struck, they all stopped without a single derailment because a network of nine seismographs along the coast and 44 seismographs along the Bullet Train route detected the initial seismic movements and emergency brakes were applied.

A JR East official said, "After the Chuetsu earthquake, people in Niigata told us, 'Restoring Bullet Train services will bring brighter news to the quake-hit areas.' We want the restoration of full services on the Tohoku Bullet Train Line to contribute to rebuilding efforts."  

The name of the primary Bullet Train model running between Tokyo and Sendai is the Nozomi model (transl:  Hope).  The Bullet Train was a symbol of Japanese economic recovery after WWII.  Apart from its practical and crucial role to connect Tokyo to the disaster-hit areas, its incredibly fast restoration also is a message of hope to the people in the north that they are no longer isolated, and that big help is on its way, fast.  

Referrences: http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201103290189.html

Engulfed Sendai Airport Reopened After 5 Days

Incredibly, Sendai Airport, which was entirely engulfed in the tsunami on March 11th (see footage below), was reopened on March 16th for limited relief flights and continues towards full reopening at a tremendous pace (see photo below).

Sustained Recovery and Cities of Inspiration

It is true, celebrities and companies from abroad are kindly offering incredible assistance to us in Japan.  But that alone is not going to be enough to get us back on our feet.  For sustainable recovery to happen, we need to increase the profitability of our own companies so that they can increase assistance to our people and raise employment in the hard-hit areas.  One day, when these cities are once again standing tall, I hope to see that they have become cities with some of the most inspiring histories in the world.

（Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/tune0518/status/53615056432271361　

もちろん、世界の著名人や企業が大きな支援をしてくれています。　しかし、それだけでは足りません。　会社の利益を伸ばし、支援をする。　求人を増やしていく、これが私たちにできる最善の道です。　被災地が復興を遂げるとき、世界でもっとも感動する歴史を持つ街になって頂きたい。

Soldiers Delight "Tiny Graduates"

Operation Tomodachi, the US Armed Forces assistance program to Japan.  It is touching to see the relationship grow beyond that of simply US troops helping Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims. Some US soldiers were helping with the removal of debris when children in a nearby kindergarten came outside for their little "graduation" ceremony.  Upon seeing this, the soldiers quickly finished their work, joined the little children, and delighted them by forming a “human tunnel” through which the tiny little “graduates” could run.  It is a sad world, but there definitely is hope. 

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/Osoban/status/53660067404328961

オペレーション友達。米軍の支援作戦。そこで米軍と被災者との立場を越えた交流に感動。瓦礫の撤去時に、たまたま幼稚園の卒園式に米軍が遭遇。そこで、米軍は作業を早く済ませ、卒園する園児達に人間のトンネルを作り上げ、園児達を祝福した。悲しい世の中だけど、捨てたもんじゃない。

1000 Yoshinoya Beef Bowls a Day

Yoshinoya (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshinoya) is delivering a thousand beef bowls per day to one of the hard-to-access, hard-hit areas. I saw evacuees eating the hot beef bowls with gratitude all over their faces. It was a heartwarming sight.  I hope Yoshinoya continues doing this.  Regardless of whether the public thinks Yoshinoya’s beef bowls are cheap or expensive, what Yoshinoya did has won a them a customer in me.

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/ootoshibungeido/status/53690061664944128

吉野家が被災地で1日1000食の牛丼を炊き出ししています。被災者が温かい牛丼を食べて感動していました。すごく微笑ましい話しです。吉野家にはずっと続けてほしいですね。牛丼の値段が安い高いではなく、吉野家の行動を見て吉野家の牛丼が食べたいと思いました。

Job Interviews on Skype

There were senior-year students who were applying for jobs in my company but could not come to our office to complete their final-round interviews because of the quake and tsunami.  My company sent each one a mic and camera, and I've just finished interviewing all of them on Skype video chat.  It actually felt very natural and efficient.  Maybe we should make Skype interviews our standard from now on!

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/AKwta/status/53714489878654976 

被災の関係で来社できない学生にマイクとカメラを郵送し、スカイプのビデオ通話を使った最終面接を終了。全く違和感なく面接を終えました。来年度は関西方面の学生もスカイプで良いかも。

Broadband Now Available in 171 Evacuation Facilities

Dear Readers,

As of today, 171 of the evacuation facilities in Japan have broadband internet access. Please remember that your voice is important. If you leave your comments on “Voices From Japan”, they can be translated into Japanese for Japanese readers.  This could be invaluable especially if the reader happens to be from one of these evacuation facilities.

Thank you

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Yahoo Headlines. 3.31.2011 (Translated by Jun Shiomitsu)

Internet connectivity is up again in many of the evacuation facilities in Japan.  News agencies, radio stations, TV broadcasting stations, and “Information volunteers” have been posting a lot of helpful information on the net, and now, this information can be linked with the data being offered by the evacuees themselves to allow increased organization and efficiency for the ongoing aid effort.  The government is also active in continuing the push to increase connectivity in these areas.

As of March 30^th yesterday, with the cooperation of NTT East Japan and multiple major electronics and computer brands, 171 evacuation facilities in and around Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures have installed PCs with broadband connectivity, with close to half of them featuring Wifi. 

Minichi Shimbun (one of top three news agencies) and the mass media have been uploading information useful to the evacuees.  However, what stands out this time is that individuals or groups, calling themselves “Information Volunteers”, have used Twitter and other social media platforms to offer accurate information regarding traffic, infrastructure, or even public baths and various other tips useful to evacuees. 

(Original Japanese Text)

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20110331-00000028-mai-soci　

東日本大震災の避難所で、インターネット接続環境の整備が始まった。新聞やラジオ、テレビなどに加え日本全国の「情報ボランティア」らが、被災者支援のための情報をネットで発信しており、被災者発の情報とリンクすることで、よりきめこまやかな被災地支援が可能になる。今後、行政などを交えての一層の整備拡大が求められている。

　ＮＴＴ東日本は、電機メーカー、パソコン機器メーカーらの協力のもと、３０日現在、宮城県や福島県、岩手県などの１７１カ所の避難所に、ブロードバンド回線とパソコンを設置。無料の「インターネット接続コーナー」を整備し始めた。無線ＬＡＮ接続のできるコーナーもそれらの半数近くにある。今後、「できるところから」順次設置箇所を拡大させていく方針という。

　被災地に向けては、毎日新聞などマスメディアが生活情報の発信を続けているが、個人や団体による「情報ボランティア」も、ツイッターやサイトなどで、交通やインフラ、入浴可能な銭湯など、さまざまな情報を流している。【高橋望】

Fireworks and Spring Festivities

The Governor of Shizuoka said today at the regular press conference:  “I hope to move our citizens’ moods from one of restraint after our heavy loss to one that encourages recovery.  As such, we will not cancel our annual spring festivals.  Fireworks and festivities are important for strengthening the bond amongst our citizens and we will conduct the spring festivities as we do every year, this year with the added mission of giving strength to the weary, offering a silent prayer with every firework that is launched into the sky.”

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/rc_shizuokaken/status/52958771009433600

本日の知事定例記者会見。「自粛ムードを応援ムードに変えていきたい。祭りや花火は地域の絆を確かめるためのものでやめるべきではない。花火は一発一発に思いをこめて実施を。県のイベントは応援の意味を付加して実施していく」。

Voices From Japan is Growing

Dear Readers,

I am grateful to be able to announce our 500^th Facebook “Like” today. Additionally, the fact that our Google search ranking has advanced from 35^th last week to 3^rd this week is a testimony of your readership and concern.

I would be thankful if you would continue to recommend Voices From Japan to your friends by posting it on your Facebook wall or sending them the link <http://voicesfromjapan.blogspot.com/>.  


May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with Japan in its hour of need.  

Thank you.

Jun Shiomitsu

Amazing People of the JSDF

A trooper of a Japanese Self Defense Force unit dispatched to the evacuation facilities told me, “Even if some of the rice we cooked for the evacuees is left over, we do not eat it. We have our rationed, cold canned rice. We heat up water for the evacuees to bathe in, but we don’t use it ourselves.  We do everything in our power to help the evacuees, and then quietly leave for the day.  That’s our job.”  What amazing people. 

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/minamiozaki/status/47665799384662016

自衛隊の人が「被災地で炊き出しをした際、たとえ余っても自衛隊員は絶対食べないで缶詰の冷たいご飯を食べます。被災地の人用にお風呂を用意しても自衛隊員は入りません。そして出来るすべての事をやったらひっそりと帰る。それが自衛隊です。」　凄いと思う。　

9 Year Old Boy Teaches Self-Sacrifice

This letter, written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh working in Fukushima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam, author of "East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres." Shanghai Daily condensed it.

Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies. 

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima, about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. 

They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line. I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away. 

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about his relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. "When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed. 

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: "Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally."

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry. 

A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people. 

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh


(Original Text on Shanghai Daily)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=467066&type=Opinion  

At Least This Time We Don't Have Bombs

On the train this morning, I overheard two elderly women speaking.  “The police told me I need to turn off the lights because there isn’t enough to go around.”  The other replied, “Oh well, we’ve done this before haven't we, going without lights for country and Emperor.  Of course I’ll do it gladly this time too.  At least this time it’s not like we have bombs falling on our heads!”  There was a moment of respectful silence by all around and I nearly cried.

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/tabletalkcafe/status/46874434400821248

来る時に電車で聞いたおばあちゃんの会話。「警察が電気足りないから電気（灯り）消せって」「私たちは御国のために電気消して過ごすのは慣れてるのよ。今回は頭の上に爆弾降って来るわけじゃないんだもの、喜んで消すわよね」周囲の人々一瞬しん･･･となる。涙が出そうになった。

I'm Going to Tell my Future Grandchildren

One day, I’m going to tell my children and my grandchildren.  I’m going to tell them “When Grandma was young, she lived through the Big Earthquake of 2011, and on that day it seemed the whole world became one.  She saw every last person stand up to put body and soul into helping one another pull through.  It was glorious.”  I’m going to keep telling this story until they don’t want to hear it from me anymore.  So please get well soon, people of Japan. 

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/lovkayo21/status/47172194421321728

いつか自分の子供や孫に話そう。｢おばあちゃんが若かった時、東日本大震災があって世界中が１つになった。皆が一つのために必死になって支えあって輝いていたんだよ｣って。相手が聞き飽きるまで話そう。だから1人でも多くの人に元気になってほしい。

Don't Worry, We'll Rebuild all of it!

I heard this from a friend.  At an evacuation facility, an elderly man sadly whispered to himself, “What are we going to do now?” A young teenage boy who was nearby heard him and, putting his arm around him, comforted him saying, “Don’t worry.  When we grow up, we will rebuild all if it.  I promise!” When I saw this boy, I knew Japan's future is secure.

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/nekoshima83/status/46635888704360448

千葉の友達から。避難所でおじいさんが「これからどうなるんだろう」と漏らした時、横に居た高校生ぐらいの男の子が「大丈夫、大人になったら僕らが絶対元に戻します」って背中さすって言ってたらしい。大丈夫、未来あるよ。

My Son Cried Himself to Sleep

My son cried himself to sleep again today.  The earthquake had hit when we were at home, so in some strange way he is now terrified of being at home.  I’m trying to cheer him up by turning on some upbeat music and lightening up the atmosphere by helping him have fun at home.  I wish I could do more to soothe my little boy.

(Original Japanese Text)

http://twitter.com/#!/yasnao/status/46908985755959296

息子、本日も泣きながら寝ました。ゆれたのが家にいるときなので、家にいいるとどうしても怖いみたいで。。家にいるとき楽しい音楽かけるようにしてみたんだけど、もうちょっと楽しげな雰囲気にしたり、楽しいことを家でやったりするのが必要かなあ。

Press & Publicity: Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.

Some companies have approached Voices From Japan to ask to use its translations in their company publications. This one is from the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. It is under "Latest Issue of Ripples" on the bottom left of the page.

http://www.pldt.com.ph/governance/Pages/summary.aspx