Japanese Earthquake
 

This was a huge one. We felt it up here in Sapporo and we usually don't get many tremors. It measured 8.9 on the richter scale and occurred 24 km of the coast of northeast Honshu. Sendai and surrounding areas were swamped with a tsunami. No-one here has ever experienced a quake like this before.

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of our friends and teachers in Japan.

marc abrams

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Hope everyone.is okay.

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So sad to see this when I woke up this morning. My thoughts are with all of those in Japan who are trying to deal with this and those who have been lost as well as those in other countries who are under threat.

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Those of us in Nagoya are fine -- it was far away enough that we hardly felt anything. (The fact that we felt anything at all this far away is a testament to the viciousness of this particular earthquake.) Professor Goldsbury almost certainly didn't feel anything in Hiroshima. Willi Brix and, I believe, Niall Matthews are in Tokyo, which was quite shaken up. I don't quite recall who else is in Japan.

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Yeah, it was the biggest and longest earthquake I have ever felt. It was quite dramatic. I was on the ground floor and higher floors sway much more but even so it felt like a moving ship and it just went on and on. There were also aftershocks all through the afternoon and evening. As well as the tsunami one of the big concerns now is how much damage might have been done to a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, fairly close to the epicentre of the earthquake. Nearly all train services have been cancelled around Tokyo and hotels and colleges have opened up halls as shelters for people who are unable to get home.

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Thoughts are with you. I was up much of the night watching the coverage. Incredible.

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My Best Wishes and sincere condolances for all family and friends impacted by this disaster. I know I have been gone a long time, but it is unavoidable. I still think of many of you daily. And especially in this time. If anyone has word from Peter Goldsbury, please pass to me as soon as you can.

Best to all,
Ron

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

While the effects seem to have been mitigated by excellent preparedness, building codes and alert systems, there are still hundreds known dead at this point, doubtless more to follow, and who knows how many injured, homeless, or with their lives otherwise disrupted. Friends in Japan, please let us know how we can help.

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I heard about this just before bed and had to get on facebook to see if my friend was okay (she was). My thoughts are with those who are going through a rough time right now.

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My wife is from Sendai, and her family's house was destroyed; thankfully everyone is okay.

I have been trying to figure out how to raise money to help out with relief efforts, but haven't really got a good plan yet -- I don't really have any experience with fundraising. If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them.

I have, however, found an organization that accepts donations that will go directly to their efforts in Japan. Here is the link:

http://www.globalgiving.org/

You can donate online or text JAPAN to 50555 to give $10.

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Anyone else getting "all circuits are busy" message calling areas that shouldn't have been hit by the tsunami?

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Hello Everyone,

Actually, I am in the Netherlands giving aikido seminars. I was shocked to see the news this morning and I have had no contact with friends in Hiroshima. However, since Hiroshima is relatively sheltered, I do not think there is much damage from the tsunami.

I think aikido might have lost a few people in Sendai and Tohoku.

Best wishes,

PAG

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Phone lines are down all across the country. Your best bet is to try to contact people via the internet.

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Thanks. No problem getting through to Tokyo, can't say the same for Miyako.

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I got "all circuits are busy" when trying to call my fiance and his family in Hachioji City (Tokyo district) this evening. Earlier in the day I was able to get through after a couple of tries. It might just be that they are getting huge numbers of calls from people outside of Japan, trying to reach family and friends at the same time.

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Considering the magnitude of the quake, people are being incredibly calm and orderly here. It's a testament to the Japanese people.

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Well, it's a tragedy. The videos are just shocking. My wife is very shaken, though her family are all okay. We still can't help feeling devastation, all the way here in Alabama.

Still, it's good to see your name back on the boards, Ron.

Best to you.

David

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Miyako:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o-_E3nPVT0

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In past disasters, like in Haiti, AikiWeb provided a forum for donations. Will that be done here? I would like to contribute through this forum if possible.

Thanks,
Ron

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Just a quick post.

I think that most of us in Japan are trying to keep up to date with the ongoing events, especially regarding the reactors in Fukushima, to be able to post here much at present.

I would like to say that the 50 or so workers left in the reactors are absolute heroes. if you need an example of modern day samurai, then these people are it.

In general, the Japanese people have acted incredibly in the face of unimaginable difficulty. I really am full of admiration for the people of this country.

Good to see Ron Tisdale posting again!

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Here are a couple of links to donate to a few reputable organizations helping in the crisis:

http://american.redcross.org/site/Pa...name=ntld_main

https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation...beew41.app246b

Re: Japanese Earthquake
 

Six months later.
Some quite amazing pictures http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2...-later/100146/

<you can click on the images and it will show you the transition>

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Thank you for the link, Josh. Both sobering and inspiring.

Regards,