日本から世界へ向けてメッセージを送りたい方へ：
actionforjapanwestwood@gmail.com にメッセージへ送って下さい。
文、写真、ユーチューブリンク等、を受け付けております。
These are the messages from Japan. 日本からのメッセージです。
[April 23, 2011]
"To the people in New Orleans, thank you very much for these band instruments!"
The Swing Dolphins youth jazz band is thanking Tipitina's Foundation and New Orleans for new instruments. The group will soon play for local shelters in the badly damaged area they are living in. Amongst tragedy, music can give hope and peace and we are proud to be a part of that.
http://tipitinasfoundation.org/_data/global/images/IAC2011PressRelease.pdf
Click the photo to hear their appreciation.
[March 23, 2011]
The Message from a student from Kesenuma, Japan, at his middle school graduation ceremony. (In Japanese. Translation below.) Click to play.
The Message from a student from Kesenuma, Japan, at his middle school graduation ceremony. (In Japanese. Translation below.) Click to play.
画像をクリックすると映像がスタートします。
Translation: "Our middle school was well-known for its excellent education for disaster prevention, and we were prepared for it. We, humans, however, were powerless to the disaster that happened to us. It took everything important to us from us without mercy. It is too cruel to call it an ordeal. It is painful, difficult, and hard to bear. However, when we face these difficulties, we will not hold resentment against our supreme being. We will bear our destiny. And, we will live our lives together by helping each other. That is our mission. "
[March 19, 2011]
From New America Media, First Person, Posted: Mar 19, 2011
This letter, written by a Vietnamese immigrant working in Fukishima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, has been circulating on Facebook. Posted below is some parts of the letter.
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 air supply, bringing in food and medicine, but it’s like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there are so many stories I want to tell you - so many, that I don’t know how to write them all. But 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 in the middle of PE 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. It was so moving -- a powerful lesson on sacrifice and giving. Who knew a 9-year-old in third grade could teach me a lesson on how to be a human being at a time of such great suffering? 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.
It reminds me of a phrase that I once learned in school, a capitalist theory from the old man, Fuwa [Tetsuzo], chairman of the Japanese Communist Party: “If Marx comes back to life, he will have to add a phrase to his book, Capital, and that ‘Communist ideology is only successful in Japan.’”
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
[March 19, 2011]
From New America Media, First Person, Posted: Mar 19, 2011
This letter, written by a Vietnamese immigrant working in Fukishima as a policeman to a friend in Vietnam, has been circulating on Facebook. Posted below is some parts of the letter.
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 air supply, bringing in food and medicine, but it’s like dropping a little salt into the ocean.
Brother, there are so many stories I want to tell you - so many, that I don’t know how to write them all. But 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 in the middle of PE 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. It was so moving -- a powerful lesson on sacrifice and giving. Who knew a 9-year-old in third grade could teach me a lesson on how to be a human being at a time of such great suffering? 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.
It reminds me of a phrase that I once learned in school, a capitalist theory from the old man, Fuwa [Tetsuzo], chairman of the Japanese Communist Party: “If Marx comes back to life, he will have to add a phrase to his book, Capital, and that ‘Communist ideology is only successful in Japan.’”
Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours of my shift have begun again.
[March 23, 2011]
The letter from an American who lives in Sendai, Japan
Hello My Lovely Family and Friends,
First I want to thank you so very much for your concern for me. I am very touched. I also wish to apologize for a generic message to you all. But it seems the best way at the moment to get my message to you.
The letter from an American who lives in Sendai, Japan
Hello My Lovely Family and Friends,
First I want to thank you so very much for your concern for me. I am very touched. I also wish to apologize for a generic message to you all. But it seems the best way at the moment to get my message to you.
Things here in Sendai
During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes.
People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets.
Utterly amazingly where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another."
Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes.
Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often. We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day.
Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not.
No one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire group.
There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun.
People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.
Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains are Sendai
And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.
They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai
Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan
I don't. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.
Thank you again for your care and Love of me,
With Love in return, to you all,
xxxx
[March 25, 2011]
"A sign that Japan remains Japanese: even in evac centers, victims are recycling" from CNN Reporter in Japan
CNNリポーターより、「日本が日本であり続けている証の一つ：避難所でもリサイクリングが行われています。」
Thank you for your kindness!
私は東京に住んでいます。
私は今回の地震による被害はありませんでした。
I live in Tokyo. Thankfully, I was not harmed by the earthquakes.毎日のようにある余震や放射線の恐怖はあるけど、少しずつ復興に向けてがんばっている被災地の様子や海外からの応援が、毎日の生きる元気です。Every day I feel fear from aftershocks and radiation leakage, but I receive power to live from the people working so hard at the severely damaged regions and the encouragements from the world.
"A sign that Japan remains Japanese: even in evac centers, victims are recycling" from CNN Reporter in Japan
CNNリポーターより、「日本が日本であり続けている証の一つ：避難所でもリサイクリングが行われています。」
私は東京に住んでいます。
私は今回の地震による被害はありませんでした。
I live in Tokyo. Thankfully, I was not harmed by the earthquakes.毎日のようにある余震や放射線の恐怖はあるけど、少しずつ復興に向けてがんばっている被災地の様子や海外からの応援が、毎日の生きる元気です。Every day I feel fear from aftershocks and radiation leakage, but I receive power to live from the people working so hard at the severely damaged regions and the encouragements from the world.
自分は何もできないけれど、せめて1日も早い復興と平和を祈って折鶴をおりました。
今後も作り続けていきたいと思っています。
I made these origami cranes to pray for quick revival and peace, and I will continue to make them.
画像を添付します。Attached is the photos of origami cranes.
世界中で応援してくださる方たちに心より感謝いたします。
I sincerely appreciate your encouragement from the world.
東京在住 kikko from Tokyo, Japan
"Thank you for your help."
from Toru, Japan. Message sent to US Ambassadar John Ross. 03/22/11
「手伝ってくれてありがとう。」
日本在住のとおる君より、アメリカ大使へのメッセージ
「手伝ってくれてありがとう。」
日本在住のとおる君より、アメリカ大使へのメッセージ
"Thank you for your help."
[March 20, 2011]
「無事です」「けがなく元気にがんばっています」宮城県の孤立していた集落の約１２００人の方々より
"We are safe." "No injury and trying hard cheerfully."
from 1200 survivors in the isolated area without much foods in Miyagi Prefecture.
[March 19, 2011]
「心配してくれてありがとう。大丈夫よ! 私達も、節電し、募金に協力中！」
"Thank you for thinking about us. We are okay! We are saving electricity and donating money!"
from a woman in Tokyo, Japan
[March 19, 2011]
「ありがとう。大丈夫です。大地震の後も余震が続き、１日船酔いのような状態でした。ガソリンスタンドは連日長蛇の列、みんな１時間以上並んでる。スーパーは品薄状態。東北の人に比べるとぜいたくな悩みです。」
"Thank you. We are safe. Aftershock continued and we were like sea sick. We stay in a line for one hour to get gas in our car. They don't have much items in the stores, but we cannot complain when we think about the region that Tsunami hit hard."
from a woman in Yokohama, Japan
