This is a transcript of speech made by Mr. Eisaku Sato, a former governor of Fukushima prefecture, at The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan press conference, April 18, 2011. The original speech was made in Japanese, but it was translated to English and I appreciated the work and its quality.
He shared his opinion about series of incidents in Fukushima nuclear plants, and his opinion of Japan'e future with energy.
(Transcript)
My name is Sato Eisaku, I was previously the governor of Fukushima prefecture.
This year marks the 40th anniversary since the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was built.
For about half of that time - 18 years - I dealt as governor with all manner of problems arising from the nuclear plant.
I believe that this current disaster was one waiting to happen.
It was not at all beyond expectations. This was no "black swan" event.
Today I would like to explain why such a disaster could not be prevented.
I would also like to say what policies Japan ought to have down the road, as regards nuclear power generation.
I will be brief so as to be able to field as many questions from the floor as possible.
Let me say, however, that today I will only speak about the nuclear plant issue.
There are many other things I would like to share with you, but that would probably take at least 3 hours and a half.
For those of you who are interested, I have brought copies of my book, so you are most welcome to purchase and read later.
Let us get into the heart of the matter. Why do I believe this current disaster could have been averted?
My first reason is based on an accident which occurred last year, June of 2010. In fact this particular accident is nearly identical to that which has occurred in Fukushima Daiichi this last March.
It was on June 17, 2010 that the incident occurred.
For some reason, the electricity supply failed in the second reactor at Fukushima Daiichi, and the pumps stopped sending water into the reactor. As the cooling system stopped, the water within the reactor began to evaporate. As happened this time. There was a risk that, left unattended, the fuel rods would become exposed and collapse from heat, leading to the worst possible scenario.
According to Tepco, the emergency diesel generators started and operators were able to manually restart the pumps and cooling system.
Less than a year ago, Tepco had experienced a test run, unintended though, of what would happen during an electric blackout. This was a malfunction which should have led them to naturally worry about what could happen if the emergency diesel generators had also failed.
It was possible to learn even from this single experience and plan for a more secure, safer, electricity supply.
This is my first reason to say that this current disaster could have been averted.
The second reason is that Japan's nuclear power policy has for long underestimated the risk posed by earthquakes.
I will not go into detail, but specialists such as Ishibashi Katsuhiko - professor emeritus of Kobe University - have repeatedly warned that the earthquake-resistance standards were far too lax, considering recent advances in seismology.
The nuclear reactors automatically stopped during the earthquake on March 11. The power plant buildings themselves stood intact at least at the outset - leading some to say this is proof that Japanese plants are earthquake-resistant. But professor Ishibashi had warned over and over that when large earthquakes happen, all sorts of things can go wrong. These damages accumulate and snowball into an uncontrollable situation.
As we know, in the current disaster, the nuclear plants lost their supply of electricity altogether. This resulted in hydrogen explosions which made it exceedingly difficult to contain and control the situation. To point out that the plants withstood the initial shock of the earthquake is cold comfort.
Five years ago, Professor Ishibashi acted as a member of a government committee to revise the earthquake-resistance standards of nuclear plants in Japan. He soon learned that, although the government talked of implementing "stricter standards", they were not to be set so high as to stop the operations of existing plants. He quit the committee in an act of protest.
In other words, those responsible had brushed off the many real risks posed by earthquakes, particularly large ones. Furthermore, Tepco had been given a chance to learn about the terror which could follow when electricity supply fails in the accident last June.
Just considering these two facts leads me to say that the Fukushima Daiichi disaster could have been prevented. Simply transferring the emergency generators to a place safe from Tsunami's way would have been enough to stop all this.
Why, then, have the government and utilities not adequately prepared against these risks?
Simply put, they had not taken measures on the premise that "things might not be safe".
If one wants to take advantage of such a horrendously dangerous thing as nuclear power, it is only natural to prepare to the fullest for every possible risk.
But even to indicate that there might be risks was made a taboo. Such was the prevailing tendency.
Japan's nuclear energy policy followed from a different set of premises. Their logic was as follows:
Nuclear power generation is absolutely necessary.
So nuclear power generation must be seen as being absolutely safe.
Everybody criticizes Tepco as having covered up many faults.
The question is whether things would improve by replacing all the company's top managers.
There are also others who say that the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency should not be under the control of METI (Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry). The agency should be made autonomous. But will the situation improve by splitting apart the agency?
In my view, those will improve nothing.
Consider this: many malfunctions and cracks had been found in the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini reactors in the past. But records of these inspections were falsified and made as if they never occurred.
That cover-up was made public in August of 2002.
At the time, Tepco's then president and chairman, vice president in charge, and two former presidents, then advisors - these 5 individuals resigned to take responsibility.
One of these advisors was former chairman of the Keidanren, a giant in Japan's business world. If you say they should replace the management, Tepco has already done something of the sort. And yet today's disaster has occurred.
"Japan absolutely needs nuclear power to supply electricity for its economy.
If Japan stores too much plutonium, generated from burning nuclear fuel, there would be concern from abroad. Japan must therefore re-cycle its nuclear fuel."
In other words, there is this inflexible mindset of one absolute following another, carried onto its extreme consequences.
Those who say that nuclear power is dangerous, like myself, are then treated as state enemies.
This is a truly terrifying logic, is it not? Whoever it maybe, be it a Diet member or governor, no one has been able to fight such logic thus far.
When an absolute logic which brooks no criticism is created, attempts to reasonably measure and deal with risk are crushed.
Even worse, a delusion emerges where people believe it is something like a cause, a righteous thing to hide facts and pretend as if nothing is wrong. Because promoting nuclear power is for the interest of the nation as a whole.
In such a situation, however much data is provided or how often we are reassured about safety, we will not feel safe. For the feeling of safety is not a science.
Feeling safe is all about trust - am I not right?
If the public cannot trust those responsible for the power plants, there is no sense of safety.
I am not saying that we must stop all existing power plants.
But now that public trust in nuclear power has been reduced to rubble, it is not possible to continue nuclear energy policy as before.
I would like to end by stating how I believe nuclear power policy should be changed for the future.
There is an organization called the Nuclear Safety Commission which determines the framework of how nuclear power plants operate.
Their powers, as written on paper, are considerable.
But in fact, the committee does little serious work and is essentially an empty shell.
The first step is to make the committee a completely independent organization and committee members directly elected by the public.
In that case I am happy to offer myself as a candidate for the committee.
When nuclear power plant policy is made in Germany and France, years and years of debate takes place. In every stage of the process, there are measures to reflect the public will.
The government and utilities are likely to respond by saying that Japan's economy can't wait for such a slow process. This is precisely the kind of attitude - "nuclear energy is absolutely necessary and so nuclear plants are absolutely safe" - which leads to this nuclear absolutism which I have pointed out today.
What is needed now is to create a sense of safety based on trust. A sense of safety not based on simply data and sheets of paper, but built up after a long and thorough process engaging all possible methods with the public.
This is a test for Japanese democracy.
We must make a flawless framework for operating Japan's nuclear power plants, one that the people of the world can feel safe about. If not - and I say this emphatically - foreigners and foreign money will no longer come to Japan. Japan will destroy its own economy only to save its current nuclear power plants.
I ask: is this the way to show our respect to the thousands who died in the Tsunami, tens and hundreds of thousands who have lost their homes? Those engaged in nuclear power policy should keep this question close to their hearts.
That is all for my statement.
Eisaku Sato
Source: http://eisaku-sato.jp/blg/2011/04/000052.html
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Nurse's Note vol.9 "Moonlight"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area, due to a series of earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan, on March 11, 2011. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.8 "Temporary Housing".
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
(Translation)
Night of March 19, 2011
I was expecting I might be able to have some rest tonight, but there were several people with fever or stomach pain. So we were going to sleep in medical vehicle, taking a turn.
It was better to sleep together with people in gym, but I needed to be responsible.
It seemed very bright toward driver's seat, so I went to see.
There was a huge moon and its light!!
Was it just tonight?
Or was something going on?
If it was so bright every night, people here wouldn't be so scared.
Lots of people came out to see this moonlight from inside gym, and they were smiling.
May everybody in damaged area be blessed with smiles and happiness.
May no more sadness be brought in here any more.
I was expecting the arrival of medical supplies by over night delivery.
Thanks to all of people who packaged, and truck drivers.
I will be helping out people who are moving to temporary housings in other prefectures.
Today, I talked to an old lady and she said it would be very difficult to leave here after living in Takata for 90years. There was Marine and Seashell Museum in her neighborhood, so she liked watching visitors' smile everyday.
She and her husband were poor after World War II, but built a house, bought a ship to fish, and were talking about live cozily with grandkids after they retire.
And this disaster took everything away.
She said, "If we could build this up again like before, but we are not young," crying and her teas did not stop.
It broke my heart to think of leaving own hometown.
Even though it is temporary move, it would be very stressful to senior people to move out and leave Takata.
However, people waiting there have warm heart, warm place, and meal. It is just a while!
I started feeling reluctant to go back to Tokyo too.
Continued to volume 10 "Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.8 "Temporary Housing".
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
(Translation)
Night of March 19, 2011
I was expecting I might be able to have some rest tonight, but there were several people with fever or stomach pain. So we were going to sleep in medical vehicle, taking a turn.
It was better to sleep together with people in gym, but I needed to be responsible.
It seemed very bright toward driver's seat, so I went to see.
There was a huge moon and its light!!
Was it just tonight?
Or was something going on?
If it was so bright every night, people here wouldn't be so scared.
Lots of people came out to see this moonlight from inside gym, and they were smiling.
May everybody in damaged area be blessed with smiles and happiness.
May no more sadness be brought in here any more.
I was expecting the arrival of medical supplies by over night delivery.
Thanks to all of people who packaged, and truck drivers.
I will be helping out people who are moving to temporary housings in other prefectures.
Today, I talked to an old lady and she said it would be very difficult to leave here after living in Takata for 90years. There was Marine and Seashell Museum in her neighborhood, so she liked watching visitors' smile everyday.
She and her husband were poor after World War II, but built a house, bought a ship to fish, and were talking about live cozily with grandkids after they retire.
And this disaster took everything away.
She said, "If we could build this up again like before, but we are not young," crying and her teas did not stop.
It broke my heart to think of leaving own hometown.
Even though it is temporary move, it would be very stressful to senior people to move out and leave Takata.
However, people waiting there have warm heart, warm place, and meal. It is just a while!
I started feeling reluctant to go back to Tokyo too.
Continued to volume 10 "Tomorrow Will Be Better Than Today".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
A Nurse's Note vol.8 "Temporary Housing"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area, due to a series of earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan, on March 11, 2011. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.7 "Runa-chan (Little Runa)"
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
(Translation)
March 19, 2011
It was noisy and alive in school field from the morning.
I could see trucks were coming in more and more.
They were bringing the material for temporary housings.
I did high-five with scary-looking-but-warm-heart truck drivers.
It was a great and happy news, even though there was a waiting list. It was a better news than yesterday.
There were also emergency vehicles from DOCOMO and au, to recover cell phone signals. There were more people who could get in touch with their family members.
So I did another high-five with DOCOMO staff.
I was getting used to my sticky hear and no make-up and dirty face. We all cheered ourselves up, washing off faces with oolong tea from bottles.
I hoped for water.
Then I found more better news.
It was warm. It was spring sunlight.
Please don't get cold any more.
And the express busses resumed operation between Morioka and Rikuzen Takata, for twice a day!
There was another good news!
An old lady, we sent to emergency care from our shelter, recovered and came back here.
We said, "Welcome back!!"
She said, "I'm home."
It was like a home.
Our uniform had a print "NURSE/看護師", and we though it might be hard to read in English and Chinese character for kids and seniors.
So we used duct tape to write "Kangoshi (nurse)" in katakana.
My tape fell off, while working and sleeping in it, and it was now saying "Kangon".
So all of kids and people called me "Kangon-san", or later, "Gon-chan!", but made me happy.
I had gone to the town next to us yesterday, and called my friend, asking "Please inform people that small community centers are not receiving food and supplies."
Today, the shelter received the food and supplies in the late afternoon, finally.
A man fron Self Defense Military said, "There were calls to Akita to Kyusyu that you don't have enough supplies in here. It is a small shelter, but all of the nation heard you."
It was a relay of life.
I deeply appreciate everybody who paid attention to us, and cooperate.
A baby who had diaper rush and her butt was red like a monky, received more diapers and cream.
There were food like "Miso nigiri", Yakurt, and "Nice stick" from Yamazaki Pan.
From now toward midnight, more medication, IV, and aspirators were supposed to be delivered from Tokyo's hospitals.
My stay was extended from ending on 21st to 23rd of March.
We were preparing to send admitted patients to hospitals in other prefectures. It was beyond proper medical care in here.
Patients might get worried about moving, and their families might not be able to visit so often. However, these patients need proper treatment right now.
In the meeting today, we found there was a survivor after 9 days, in Kesennuma.
We were all happy about this news, but on the other hand, it was still true that lots of senior people were dying in shelters after they surveved from tsunami and earthquake.
We used to want save life as many as possible, but now, we want to save everybody's life.
It is tough for everybody.
My power might be so little.
But may everybody gather up for bigger power.
Continued to volume 9 "Moonlight".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.7 "Runa-chan (Little Runa)"
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
(Translation)
March 19, 2011
It was noisy and alive in school field from the morning.
I could see trucks were coming in more and more.
They were bringing the material for temporary housings.
I did high-five with scary-looking-but-warm-heart truck drivers.
It was a great and happy news, even though there was a waiting list. It was a better news than yesterday.
There were also emergency vehicles from DOCOMO and au, to recover cell phone signals. There were more people who could get in touch with their family members.
So I did another high-five with DOCOMO staff.
I was getting used to my sticky hear and no make-up and dirty face. We all cheered ourselves up, washing off faces with oolong tea from bottles.
I hoped for water.
Then I found more better news.
It was warm. It was spring sunlight.
Please don't get cold any more.
And the express busses resumed operation between Morioka and Rikuzen Takata, for twice a day!
There was another good news!
An old lady, we sent to emergency care from our shelter, recovered and came back here.
We said, "Welcome back!!"
She said, "I'm home."
It was like a home.
Our uniform had a print "NURSE/看護師", and we though it might be hard to read in English and Chinese character for kids and seniors.
So we used duct tape to write "Kangoshi (nurse)" in katakana.
My tape fell off, while working and sleeping in it, and it was now saying "Kangon".
So all of kids and people called me "Kangon-san", or later, "Gon-chan!", but made me happy.
I had gone to the town next to us yesterday, and called my friend, asking "Please inform people that small community centers are not receiving food and supplies."
Today, the shelter received the food and supplies in the late afternoon, finally.
A man fron Self Defense Military said, "There were calls to Akita to Kyusyu that you don't have enough supplies in here. It is a small shelter, but all of the nation heard you."
It was a relay of life.
I deeply appreciate everybody who paid attention to us, and cooperate.
A baby who had diaper rush and her butt was red like a monky, received more diapers and cream.
There were food like "Miso nigiri", Yakurt, and "Nice stick" from Yamazaki Pan.
From now toward midnight, more medication, IV, and aspirators were supposed to be delivered from Tokyo's hospitals.
My stay was extended from ending on 21st to 23rd of March.
We were preparing to send admitted patients to hospitals in other prefectures. It was beyond proper medical care in here.
Patients might get worried about moving, and their families might not be able to visit so often. However, these patients need proper treatment right now.
In the meeting today, we found there was a survivor after 9 days, in Kesennuma.
We were all happy about this news, but on the other hand, it was still true that lots of senior people were dying in shelters after they surveved from tsunami and earthquake.
We used to want save life as many as possible, but now, we want to save everybody's life.
It is tough for everybody.
My power might be so little.
But may everybody gather up for bigger power.
Continued to volume 9 "Moonlight".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
Sunday, April 17, 2011
A Nurse's Note vol.7 "Runa-chan (Little Runa)"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area, due to a series of earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan, on March 11, 2011. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.6 "Lifeline And Bonding"
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area".
(Translation)
In those 3 days, I made a friend with a little cute girl at gym I slept.
Her name is "Runa-chan (Little Runa)", who was a very friendly 6 year old girl, and following me around.
She did not like wearing a mask, so I drew a Hello Kitty on her mask, and she liked it.
In a night, at schoo gym, it was very cold so we rely on a thin blanket and human skin for the heat. My team was made up with lots of male members, so I was fighting with draft coming in alone.
Without electricity, the gym was like cave.
It was a total darkness and coldness with heaters turned off.
And still frequent aftershocks.
If you were alone, how scary and helpless this could be.
Because a lot of evacuees gathered up here, we all can wait for the morning in such darkness, strongly.
In the dark gym, I could still hear somebody sobbing while others were breathing queitly.
They must be scared.
They might not have been able to find family members or friends.
It does not end to imagine.
I was just here for one week, but for these people in shelter, it seemed like an endless tunnel, thinking how long this is going to last.
I could not sleep because of the coldness, but I was trying to convince myself to fall asleep so that I would have energy during the day.
At that moment, Runa-chan came up to me with her blanket and said "One-chan! (Big Sister)" And she laid next to me.
I asked her "You can't sleep too?" and she nodded. So I held her tightly and she was very warm.
She asked me, "Do you have somebody you like?" and I said "Yes!"
Runa-chan said, "How is he like?"
So I answered, "He is a beared man."
She asked me again, "Is he Santa Clause?"
I thought she was very cute and rubbed her head, saying "Yeah, he is like Santa Clause."
She asked me again, smiling, "Do you think Santa Clause will come back again in the winter?"
I said, "You are a good girl, so I am sure he will be back!", wanting to see her smile again.
But she asked me, "I lost my home. So could you tell him not to take my present back because I don't have a home?"
I felt sorry and held her tight again.
I asked her back, "Runa-chan, what do you want?"
She said, "I want my home and mom back."
I had always thought the lady with her was Runa-chan's mother, but I found out she was her aunt.
Her mother became a victim of tsunami, and was found dead under the debris, leaving Runa-chan behind.
Runa-chan was safe at her kindergarten, but her mother died, holding Runa-chan's backpack with favorite doll and books.
I thought Runa-chan must be missing her mom, and she wanted to sleep next to me.
The day we left the shelter, to go to another one, Runa-chan was crying.
She just experienced desperate separation with her mother, and her pain hasn't been healed, and she now had to go through another separation.
I wanted to promise to write to her, but she doesn't have address.
So I promised to come to visit her again, and left the gym.
I hope she becomes a strong and caring woman, not forgetting of this earthquake.
I wish for her future that is bright and filled with happiness.
A promise with my nurse leader not to cry was easily broken, and cried all way in the car, looking at Runa-chan waving to me.
I just didn't know where to send this frustration and anger, and headed to another hospital and medical facility.
I was also wondering why I am here, after I made Runa-chan cry, despite of my purpose to cheer up people and bring smile in here.
Continued to volume 8 "Temporary Housing".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.6 "Lifeline And Bonding"
The first entry of this story is here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area".
(Translation)
In those 3 days, I made a friend with a little cute girl at gym I slept.
Her name is "Runa-chan (Little Runa)", who was a very friendly 6 year old girl, and following me around.
She did not like wearing a mask, so I drew a Hello Kitty on her mask, and she liked it.
In a night, at schoo gym, it was very cold so we rely on a thin blanket and human skin for the heat. My team was made up with lots of male members, so I was fighting with draft coming in alone.
Without electricity, the gym was like cave.
It was a total darkness and coldness with heaters turned off.
And still frequent aftershocks.
If you were alone, how scary and helpless this could be.
Because a lot of evacuees gathered up here, we all can wait for the morning in such darkness, strongly.
In the dark gym, I could still hear somebody sobbing while others were breathing queitly.
They must be scared.
They might not have been able to find family members or friends.
It does not end to imagine.
I was just here for one week, but for these people in shelter, it seemed like an endless tunnel, thinking how long this is going to last.
I could not sleep because of the coldness, but I was trying to convince myself to fall asleep so that I would have energy during the day.
At that moment, Runa-chan came up to me with her blanket and said "One-chan! (Big Sister)" And she laid next to me.
I asked her "You can't sleep too?" and she nodded. So I held her tightly and she was very warm.
She asked me, "Do you have somebody you like?" and I said "Yes!"
Runa-chan said, "How is he like?"
So I answered, "He is a beared man."
She asked me again, "Is he Santa Clause?"
I thought she was very cute and rubbed her head, saying "Yeah, he is like Santa Clause."
She asked me again, smiling, "Do you think Santa Clause will come back again in the winter?"
I said, "You are a good girl, so I am sure he will be back!", wanting to see her smile again.
But she asked me, "I lost my home. So could you tell him not to take my present back because I don't have a home?"
I felt sorry and held her tight again.
I asked her back, "Runa-chan, what do you want?"
She said, "I want my home and mom back."
I had always thought the lady with her was Runa-chan's mother, but I found out she was her aunt.
Her mother became a victim of tsunami, and was found dead under the debris, leaving Runa-chan behind.
Runa-chan was safe at her kindergarten, but her mother died, holding Runa-chan's backpack with favorite doll and books.
I thought Runa-chan must be missing her mom, and she wanted to sleep next to me.
The day we left the shelter, to go to another one, Runa-chan was crying.
She just experienced desperate separation with her mother, and her pain hasn't been healed, and she now had to go through another separation.
I wanted to promise to write to her, but she doesn't have address.
So I promised to come to visit her again, and left the gym.
I hope she becomes a strong and caring woman, not forgetting of this earthquake.
I wish for her future that is bright and filled with happiness.
A promise with my nurse leader not to cry was easily broken, and cried all way in the car, looking at Runa-chan waving to me.
I just didn't know where to send this frustration and anger, and headed to another hospital and medical facility.
I was also wondering why I am here, after I made Runa-chan cry, despite of my purpose to cheer up people and bring smile in here.
Continued to volume 8 "Temporary Housing".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
A Nurse's Note vol.6 "Lifeline and Bonding"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.5 "Lost Life, New Life"
(Translation)
In the night of March 18, 2011
We got the electricity back in our shelter, school gym, with time restraint!
We were all so happy, and clapped hands and cried together.
Because everybody in Japan saved power for us, so the power in damaged area were recovered earlier than as planned.
It was very great moment, and felt we were all united and supported.
The day I arrived, it was snowing, and people here said, "There must be no God or Buddha in this world."
However, now I can proudly say there are lots of live people who have warm heart in this world.
I know this is just the beginning, and will be harder. So I hope everybody's warm heart will be shared in the nation.
Back in the afternoon
A siren rang at 14:46 today, and we all prayed with silence.
I looked at evacuees' tear and felt a week went so fast.
After one week, I felt people need more mental support now.
As we have more emergency patients or patients who need to be admitted, the fuel for emergency vehicles is running out, hospitals are full, medical supplies are running out and so on.
Everytime we face new problems, we felt hopeless.
But still need to stand strongly in this situation.
We did not only treated emergency patients, but also supported other nurses from this area, so that they could rest.
Measuring blood pressure, consultation with patients, checking on admitted patients.
The elevator in building had been stopped, so we went up stairs to carry meals in 5-story hospital.
If we have any spare time, make a fire to boil water.
24 hours was definitely not enough time for this.
In 2 hours of sleep, I was still thinking what I can use this time more effectively, and writing this down was the best I could come up with.
With a light is ligten up, I could see the bonding and united with people in the nation.
A bulb seemed very warm.
Our hard work became apparent like this, and made me feel like working harder.
Continued to volume 7 "Runa-chan (Little Runa)".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.5 "Lost Life, New Life"
(Translation)
In the night of March 18, 2011
We got the electricity back in our shelter, school gym, with time restraint!
We were all so happy, and clapped hands and cried together.
Because everybody in Japan saved power for us, so the power in damaged area were recovered earlier than as planned.
It was very great moment, and felt we were all united and supported.
The day I arrived, it was snowing, and people here said, "There must be no God or Buddha in this world."
However, now I can proudly say there are lots of live people who have warm heart in this world.
I know this is just the beginning, and will be harder. So I hope everybody's warm heart will be shared in the nation.
Back in the afternoon
A siren rang at 14:46 today, and we all prayed with silence.
I looked at evacuees' tear and felt a week went so fast.
After one week, I felt people need more mental support now.
As we have more emergency patients or patients who need to be admitted, the fuel for emergency vehicles is running out, hospitals are full, medical supplies are running out and so on.
Everytime we face new problems, we felt hopeless.
But still need to stand strongly in this situation.
We did not only treated emergency patients, but also supported other nurses from this area, so that they could rest.
Measuring blood pressure, consultation with patients, checking on admitted patients.
The elevator in building had been stopped, so we went up stairs to carry meals in 5-story hospital.
If we have any spare time, make a fire to boil water.
24 hours was definitely not enough time for this.
In 2 hours of sleep, I was still thinking what I can use this time more effectively, and writing this down was the best I could come up with.
With a light is ligten up, I could see the bonding and united with people in the nation.
A bulb seemed very warm.
Our hard work became apparent like this, and made me feel like working harder.
Continued to volume 7 "Runa-chan (Little Runa)".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
Sunday, April 10, 2011
A Nurse's Note vol.5 "Lost Life, New Life"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.4 "Childres and Seniors".
(Translation)
March 18, 2011
We were headed to a hospital where accepting emergency patients.
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, X-ray technicians, lab technicians, nutritionists, assistant nurses, they have been all working without rest since the initial earthquake on 11th. They don't even know if their own family members were safe or not, at their own limit mentality.
And we were going to support them so that they could have some rest.
The place and the equipment are different, but medical care is the same anywhere.
I was believing so, trying to stay strong, and telling myself "medical care for as many as possible", while looking at over 1,000 patients who were making a line to be seen.
I was sent to emergency care team, where patitnes haven't been able to take medications for heart attack and stroke. Blood transfusion was not available for those who needed the routine care. The situation was very severe without medical devices.
As a medical staff, it is just undescribable to lose people's life due to such causes, after surviving the earthquakes.
In Tokyo, IV is in our reach, medications are in the shelf --- and even lights are there without doubt.
In here, even though we have emergency generators for the electricity, it is always a matter of time. We have to send emergency patients who need surgery by helicopters.
As I take patients' blood, it is always dark color and thick.
I ask, "Have you been eating and drinking ok?", and they say "I cannot just eat and drink as everybody is suffering. It's just a riceball and tea in mornings and evenings." powerlessly.
We didn't have enough IV either....
We kept giving IV and put them on the hard floor. Keep eye on them, and finish IV. It's so much work to just keep track of who is doing what IV and when to finish.
And then, we started accepting paramedics.
When I realized I had not been smiling again, there was a call for a pregnant woman in labor. She was about the same age as me.
I supported to receive a baby and prepared IV since I am not a licensed midwife.
As I started her IV, she said "I'm very sorry when you have a lot of severe patients..."
I cheered her "You are kidding! Everybody in Takata and Japan is waiting for your baby!!"
This baby is a hope for tomorrow.
When the baby was born, I felt like the dark delivery room was lighten up. We prepared a hot water on propane gas stove, and wrapped the baby with a towel sent as donation.
The mother was crying and said, "I wish I could have shown her to grandma and grandpa. They were really excited..."
But I was sure that they were looking at us and praying for the baby somewhere because the delivery was so smooth.
A whole emergency team gathered up, and the nervousness in the team disappeared after they saw the baby, and we were all smiling.
There will be more severe and difficult situations from now on, but I believe there will be happy and fun things more to make it up or more.
We all prayed that Takata City will get recovered and filled by everybody's smiles, when this baby grows up.
On the raido, we still hear the news of death counts everyday.
However, we have new lives coming in to this world.
They are equally important and fragile.
I realized that again.
I will keep smiling tomorrow, and find something happy, happier than today.
Continued to volume 6 "Lifeline And Bonding".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.4 "Childres and Seniors".
(Translation)
March 18, 2011
We were headed to a hospital where accepting emergency patients.
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, X-ray technicians, lab technicians, nutritionists, assistant nurses, they have been all working without rest since the initial earthquake on 11th. They don't even know if their own family members were safe or not, at their own limit mentality.
And we were going to support them so that they could have some rest.
The place and the equipment are different, but medical care is the same anywhere.
I was believing so, trying to stay strong, and telling myself "medical care for as many as possible", while looking at over 1,000 patients who were making a line to be seen.
I was sent to emergency care team, where patitnes haven't been able to take medications for heart attack and stroke. Blood transfusion was not available for those who needed the routine care. The situation was very severe without medical devices.
As a medical staff, it is just undescribable to lose people's life due to such causes, after surviving the earthquakes.
In Tokyo, IV is in our reach, medications are in the shelf --- and even lights are there without doubt.
In here, even though we have emergency generators for the electricity, it is always a matter of time. We have to send emergency patients who need surgery by helicopters.
As I take patients' blood, it is always dark color and thick.
I ask, "Have you been eating and drinking ok?", and they say "I cannot just eat and drink as everybody is suffering. It's just a riceball and tea in mornings and evenings." powerlessly.
We didn't have enough IV either....
We kept giving IV and put them on the hard floor. Keep eye on them, and finish IV. It's so much work to just keep track of who is doing what IV and when to finish.
And then, we started accepting paramedics.
When I realized I had not been smiling again, there was a call for a pregnant woman in labor. She was about the same age as me.
I supported to receive a baby and prepared IV since I am not a licensed midwife.
As I started her IV, she said "I'm very sorry when you have a lot of severe patients..."
I cheered her "You are kidding! Everybody in Takata and Japan is waiting for your baby!!"
This baby is a hope for tomorrow.
When the baby was born, I felt like the dark delivery room was lighten up. We prepared a hot water on propane gas stove, and wrapped the baby with a towel sent as donation.
The mother was crying and said, "I wish I could have shown her to grandma and grandpa. They were really excited..."
But I was sure that they were looking at us and praying for the baby somewhere because the delivery was so smooth.
A whole emergency team gathered up, and the nervousness in the team disappeared after they saw the baby, and we were all smiling.
There will be more severe and difficult situations from now on, but I believe there will be happy and fun things more to make it up or more.
We all prayed that Takata City will get recovered and filled by everybody's smiles, when this baby grows up.
On the raido, we still hear the news of death counts everyday.
However, we have new lives coming in to this world.
They are equally important and fragile.
I realized that again.
I will keep smiling tomorrow, and find something happy, happier than today.
Continued to volume 6 "Lifeline And Bonding".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
 |
| A couple watch the site where coffins of victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami were buried in Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, Sunday, April 3, 2011. (AP Photo/Yomiuri Shimbun, Naoki Maeda) JAPAN OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT « |
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Nurse's Note vol.4 "Children and Seniors"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.3 "The Red Flag".
(Translation)
March 17, 2011
We were headed to support a shelter where opened as medical center partially and accept emergency patients.
The beds were already full, and there were countless number of people who need to be seen by medical care people. Medicines and medical supplies were definitely short.
At triage, a large number of toddlers came in with high fever with 39 °C (102.2°F).
I had a bad feeling ---- and I was right, flu.
We brought Relenza and Tamiflu, but it's not enough, so prescribed acetaminophen for lighter symptoms for the fever.
Children and senior people were affected because of weaker immune system, and especially in this situation, it was very possible to spread in a lot of people.
I was being very anxious it wouldn't happen.
We got dispatch from our team members in other location that they wanted to send seniors who were having diarrhea and dehydration. They were eating uncooked rice because of scarcity in supply, and were getting infection in digestive system.
On the radio, I heard news that there were a lot of supplies and aids coming from all over the places, but small shelters did not receive them or not transported because of gasoline shortage.
I also drank snow-melt water and had upset stomach, but I tried to be smiling in front of people, be strong.
I had only 2 and a half hours of break today, and planned to work until the next morning. But everybody was in harder condition, so I could do it.
All of the seniors transported were dehydrated and had hypothermia.
Our IV supply was about to run out. We only had a few more boxes of needles.
There was a patient in a shock with low blood pressure due to stomach ulcer from stress.
"Endoscopy and blood transfusion, right away!", a doctor yelled, and told himself, "oh, that's right, we don't have anything here..."
So all we could do was to give IV to keep blood level, and send these patients by air to Moriaoka city where these treatments are available.
Our team felt sorry for not able to give the best treatments here, seeing off each helicopter.
I hoped we can tell another team in Ishimaki city for medical devices, but it might be the same situation there too.
More and more people were searching for their missing family members. An old man who was looking for his wife did not rest.
It was unimaginable situation and severity, but I heard of good news such as express buses resumed the operation, and bullet train resumed the operation partially.
Things were improving than yesterday.
Continued to volume 5 "Lost Life, A New Life".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.3 "The Red Flag".
(Translation)
March 17, 2011
We were headed to support a shelter where opened as medical center partially and accept emergency patients.
The beds were already full, and there were countless number of people who need to be seen by medical care people. Medicines and medical supplies were definitely short.
At triage, a large number of toddlers came in with high fever with 39 °C (102.2°F).
I had a bad feeling ---- and I was right, flu.
We brought Relenza and Tamiflu, but it's not enough, so prescribed acetaminophen for lighter symptoms for the fever.
Children and senior people were affected because of weaker immune system, and especially in this situation, it was very possible to spread in a lot of people.
I was being very anxious it wouldn't happen.
We got dispatch from our team members in other location that they wanted to send seniors who were having diarrhea and dehydration. They were eating uncooked rice because of scarcity in supply, and were getting infection in digestive system.
On the radio, I heard news that there were a lot of supplies and aids coming from all over the places, but small shelters did not receive them or not transported because of gasoline shortage.
I also drank snow-melt water and had upset stomach, but I tried to be smiling in front of people, be strong.
I had only 2 and a half hours of break today, and planned to work until the next morning. But everybody was in harder condition, so I could do it.
All of the seniors transported were dehydrated and had hypothermia.
Our IV supply was about to run out. We only had a few more boxes of needles.
There was a patient in a shock with low blood pressure due to stomach ulcer from stress.
"Endoscopy and blood transfusion, right away!", a doctor yelled, and told himself, "oh, that's right, we don't have anything here..."
So all we could do was to give IV to keep blood level, and send these patients by air to Moriaoka city where these treatments are available.
Our team felt sorry for not able to give the best treatments here, seeing off each helicopter.
I hoped we can tell another team in Ishimaki city for medical devices, but it might be the same situation there too.
More and more people were searching for their missing family members. An old man who was looking for his wife did not rest.
It was unimaginable situation and severity, but I heard of good news such as express buses resumed the operation, and bullet train resumed the operation partially.
Things were improving than yesterday.
Continued to volume 5 "Lost Life, A New Life".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
A Nurse's Note vol.3 "The Red Flag"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.2 "Me At First Day".
(Translation)
My impression of Rikuzen Takata was muddy ground and mountains of debris.
The area was completely swept. There was nothing, or a few buildings made it look like a ghost town.
I could not believe my eyes when I saw mud and ship parts were sticking into the 5th floor of a 5-story building.
And what is that smell? Some burned-like smell came through my nose.
It was very quiet. All I heard was broadcasting helicopters and Self Defense helicopters hovering over our head.
Snow was covering over debris, and it kept snowing. I did not feel cold, and I was shaking from fear, not cold.
I gave one minute of silence to victims, and thought I should have come here earlier.
We were guided around the town before heading to shelters and hospitals.
"Here it was shopping street."
"Here it was a post office."
"Here it was a good ramen restaurant."
"Here it was a community center."
"Here it was a preschool."
They were all mountains of debris.
50 feet high black tsunami came back and forth, and swallowed everything.
It was a moment everybody was preparing to evacuate or evacuating.
If they could blame to somebody for all of this damage, they could feel better by releasing ugly feeling, but they cannot even do that.
People in town prayed and admired the ocean several times a year in local ritual ceremonies. They always appreciated to the ocean. However..... The guide was crying.
I was just looking up the cloudy sky so that I wouldn't cry.
I kept walking holding my hands tightly.
Black and white photographs, and greeting cards with baby picture were flown through my steps by wind.
And I started realizing red flags were waving every one or two steps I made. It was just uncountable number of red flags.
"These red flags were for the location dead body was found." The guide said.
It was so hard.
A old lady was standing in front of a red flag. She was about the same age with my grandmother.
"Ms. Nurse from Tokyo. There was a house the grandpa here built after WWII. He never got sick, but he died in tsunami."
I could not hold my tears any more.
A leading nurse flew to me and pulled me behind a car. She scolded me for crying, but I decided to be honest and true to myself from now on.
What has been broadcasted on TV is controlled, but still very shocking.
What has really been going on here is much worse, and it was a hell.
While we were guided around, the Self Defense people dug out debris, and they were always finding another body.
I will never forget what I saw there, and I must not.
It was debris, but had been somebody's life or treasure a few days ago. And more bodies found under that.
We all put hands together and prayed every time, with the Self Defense teams.
At shelters, I was busy measuring blood pressures of senior people and having consultation.
I probably was not smiling.
I kept myself busy so that I could measure blood pressure as many as possible before the dark.
An old lady held my hand while I was taking her blood pressure, and said "You are about the age with my grandchild, Ms. Nurse. It is a warm hand." She kept her eyes closed.
An old man thanked me again and again, putting his both hands together.
Another old man was trying to get up from his futon with his best smile.
Children eating small rice balls so appreciatively.
A baby sleeping wrapped in a blanket.
I found a lot of people had difficulties in sleep at gym, or with anxiety of missing family members, and had high blood pressure.
Before the total dark came to us, my arms were so heavy and I could not lift them.
We visited more than 10 shelters, but there were much more shelters and medical locations we could not go on that day.
Somebody told me later that I measured several hundreds people's blood pressure on that day, but I felt like there were more seniors in need.
It was already the night, after I used bathroom in the morning once.
After the meeting to review and plan for tomorrow, I was very tired and shocked to see the reality.
We had no place to sleep in full shelters, so we slept in a trailer house next to the morgue.
I could not sleep even though I was exhausted.
I decided to listen to music on iPod, look at pictures of my friends, typed this entry, and read emails from my friends on my cellphone, crying inside my blanket until dawn.
Continued to vol.4 "Children and Seniors".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.2 "Me At First Day".
(Translation)
My impression of Rikuzen Takata was muddy ground and mountains of debris.
The area was completely swept. There was nothing, or a few buildings made it look like a ghost town.
I could not believe my eyes when I saw mud and ship parts were sticking into the 5th floor of a 5-story building.
And what is that smell? Some burned-like smell came through my nose.
It was very quiet. All I heard was broadcasting helicopters and Self Defense helicopters hovering over our head.
Snow was covering over debris, and it kept snowing. I did not feel cold, and I was shaking from fear, not cold.
I gave one minute of silence to victims, and thought I should have come here earlier.
We were guided around the town before heading to shelters and hospitals.
"Here it was shopping street."
"Here it was a post office."
"Here it was a good ramen restaurant."
"Here it was a community center."
"Here it was a preschool."
They were all mountains of debris.
50 feet high black tsunami came back and forth, and swallowed everything.
It was a moment everybody was preparing to evacuate or evacuating.
If they could blame to somebody for all of this damage, they could feel better by releasing ugly feeling, but they cannot even do that.
People in town prayed and admired the ocean several times a year in local ritual ceremonies. They always appreciated to the ocean. However..... The guide was crying.
I was just looking up the cloudy sky so that I wouldn't cry.
I kept walking holding my hands tightly.
Black and white photographs, and greeting cards with baby picture were flown through my steps by wind.
And I started realizing red flags were waving every one or two steps I made. It was just uncountable number of red flags.
"These red flags were for the location dead body was found." The guide said.
It was so hard.
A old lady was standing in front of a red flag. She was about the same age with my grandmother.
"Ms. Nurse from Tokyo. There was a house the grandpa here built after WWII. He never got sick, but he died in tsunami."
I could not hold my tears any more.
A leading nurse flew to me and pulled me behind a car. She scolded me for crying, but I decided to be honest and true to myself from now on.
What has been broadcasted on TV is controlled, but still very shocking.
What has really been going on here is much worse, and it was a hell.
While we were guided around, the Self Defense people dug out debris, and they were always finding another body.
I will never forget what I saw there, and I must not.
It was debris, but had been somebody's life or treasure a few days ago. And more bodies found under that.
We all put hands together and prayed every time, with the Self Defense teams.
At shelters, I was busy measuring blood pressures of senior people and having consultation.
I probably was not smiling.
I kept myself busy so that I could measure blood pressure as many as possible before the dark.
An old lady held my hand while I was taking her blood pressure, and said "You are about the age with my grandchild, Ms. Nurse. It is a warm hand." She kept her eyes closed.
An old man thanked me again and again, putting his both hands together.
Another old man was trying to get up from his futon with his best smile.
Children eating small rice balls so appreciatively.
A baby sleeping wrapped in a blanket.
I found a lot of people had difficulties in sleep at gym, or with anxiety of missing family members, and had high blood pressure.
Before the total dark came to us, my arms were so heavy and I could not lift them.
We visited more than 10 shelters, but there were much more shelters and medical locations we could not go on that day.
Somebody told me later that I measured several hundreds people's blood pressure on that day, but I felt like there were more seniors in need.
It was already the night, after I used bathroom in the morning once.
After the meeting to review and plan for tomorrow, I was very tired and shocked to see the reality.
We had no place to sleep in full shelters, so we slept in a trailer house next to the morgue.
I could not sleep even though I was exhausted.
I decided to listen to music on iPod, look at pictures of my friends, typed this entry, and read emails from my friends on my cellphone, crying inside my blanket until dawn.
 |
| Search in Snow by KIM KYUNG-HOON/REUTERS |
 |
| At Rikuzen Takata |
Continued to vol.4 "Children and Seniors".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
A Nurse's Note vol.2 "Me At First Day"
This is a blog entry by a Japanese nurse who joined emergency response team at shelters in damaged area. Originally, these entries were written in Japanese, and spoken widely in Japanese. I decided to translate and summarize her notes in English, so that more people can understand what is actually going on in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
March 16, 2011, the team announced her destination: Rikuzen Takata, Iwate Prefecture. This is one of the most damaged area in Iwate Prefecture, and the team was transported by air.
10,000 units of IV, medicines, roll bandages, ice patches, feminine cares, baby diapers, gauges, masks and other aids were transported by air also without knowing it is not enough amount at all later on.
A uniform printed "NURSE" was supplied to everybody.
After they passed Tochigi Prefecture, they started seeing damaged houses and towns. They also saw the nuclear plants.
She had received emails from friends at Sendai after the initial hit, saying "We are safe." and "It's all fine.", but the reality was not true at all.
Everybody became quiet as airplane got closer to Sendai city.
When they flew over Sanriku area in Iwate Prefecture, she was horrified to see war-zone like neighborhood which was under water and she realized this was same Japan as where she was earlier.
In the meantime, she was worried that she could be useful in damaged area.
However, what was waiting for her was so severe and tough that she had no time to be worried.
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and her hospital formed emergency medical response team after series of massive earthquake and tsunami hit Eastern Japan on March 11, 2011.
You can find the previous entry in here: A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
March 16, 2011, the team announced her destination: Rikuzen Takata, Iwate Prefecture. This is one of the most damaged area in Iwate Prefecture, and the team was transported by air.
10,000 units of IV, medicines, roll bandages, ice patches, feminine cares, baby diapers, gauges, masks and other aids were transported by air also without knowing it is not enough amount at all later on.
A uniform printed "NURSE" was supplied to everybody.
After they passed Tochigi Prefecture, they started seeing damaged houses and towns. They also saw the nuclear plants.
She had received emails from friends at Sendai after the initial hit, saying "We are safe." and "It's all fine.", but the reality was not true at all.
Everybody became quiet as airplane got closer to Sendai city.
When they flew over Sanriku area in Iwate Prefecture, she was horrified to see war-zone like neighborhood which was under water and she realized this was same Japan as where she was earlier.
In the meantime, she was worried that she could be useful in damaged area.
However, what was waiting for her was so severe and tough that she had no time to be worried.
 |
| Aerial view of Rikuzen Takata after tsunami attack |
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
Sunday, April 3, 2011
A Nurse's Note vol.1 "To The Damaged Area"
A blog written by a Japanese nurse became popular to Japanese people who didn't know the situation in damaged area, by twitter and other SNS in Japan.
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and after March 11, 2011, she was always thinking of what she could do for earthquake and tsunami victims. Her hospital formed emergency response medical team to support people at shelters in damaged areas on March 15, 2011, and she joined the first group which stayed in various locations during March 16 to 23.
The first entry was "To The Damaged Area", starting on March 15, when the team was formed and she was selected to join as the first team.
She joined a meeting to prepare for what's waiting for them in the area. No need to pack money, or purse, just be prepared to work without sleep or meals, and the bathrooms are primarily for evacuees.
A leader of nurse team said, "the situation in the area is much more severe than you think. If you are not ready for it, please don't come. No crying. We are not there for sympathy. We are going to supply medical care. Our tears have no help."
She called her friends and family to get distracted on that night, and told them what she's going to do for the next one week. Her mother was affected by earthquake, but told her that everybody in the family are safe, and her daughter should be helping others at this time.
She did not get much sleep that night, and the next morning came.
She mentioned the reason why she posted her experience on the blog.
She thought people needed to know what she saw, and thought in the damaged areas.
I really appreciate that she took her time and put her thoughts in words. Not only me, but also a lot of Japanese people thought this message is important.
I agree with them and wanted to write this in English so that more people can see what is actually going on today, at this moment.
Continued to volume 2: "Me At First Day".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
She is a nurse who works in Tokyo, and after March 11, 2011, she was always thinking of what she could do for earthquake and tsunami victims. Her hospital formed emergency response medical team to support people at shelters in damaged areas on March 15, 2011, and she joined the first group which stayed in various locations during March 16 to 23.
The first entry was "To The Damaged Area", starting on March 15, when the team was formed and she was selected to join as the first team.
She joined a meeting to prepare for what's waiting for them in the area. No need to pack money, or purse, just be prepared to work without sleep or meals, and the bathrooms are primarily for evacuees.
A leader of nurse team said, "the situation in the area is much more severe than you think. If you are not ready for it, please don't come. No crying. We are not there for sympathy. We are going to supply medical care. Our tears have no help."
She called her friends and family to get distracted on that night, and told them what she's going to do for the next one week. Her mother was affected by earthquake, but told her that everybody in the family are safe, and her daughter should be helping others at this time.
She did not get much sleep that night, and the next morning came.
She mentioned the reason why she posted her experience on the blog.
She thought people needed to know what she saw, and thought in the damaged areas.
I really appreciate that she took her time and put her thoughts in words. Not only me, but also a lot of Japanese people thought this message is important.
I agree with them and wanted to write this in English so that more people can see what is actually going on today, at this moment.
Continued to volume 2: "Me At First Day".
Source: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/flower-wing
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Fight For Own Castle
Soma city is located 45km north of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Mr. Tachiya, Mayor of Soma city, released his newsletter on March 24, 2011, titled "Roujou", meaning "fight for own castle".
On March 11, 2011, his town lost over 5,000 houses and lost 10% of population from tsunami, and seven people who were on duty to rescue or announce evacuation during series of tsunami. As more news came in, people in emergency response team of city became more quiet with fear and anxiety, but determined to serve for their town with their full effort.
On March 12, 2011, Self Defense and local emergency response teams gathered to set up shelters and meals for evacuees, and city started planning replacement for those who lost houses in tsunami.
However, the evil from 45km away from town came close to Soma city - "fear" from nuclear power plant incidents. News about nuclear power plants just grew fear in everybody's mind, not only in Soma city, but also in all over Japan. Since government announced evacuation warning for 20km (12.4mi.) radius, people in Soma city started preparing for evacuation. At the same time, logistics companies stopped coming into towns in the area. No gasoline, no food, and all they have is the fear of nuclear radiation.
People in Soma city stays in front of TVs, listening to news reporters telling how dangerous it is in the area.
"Isn't it too late to evacuate when things get worse?"
"Is government avoiding telling the truth to keep people from getting panic, and things are actually bad enough to harm our health?"
"Isn't it actually the time to evacuate from here?"
"If not, why US government announced evacuation warning for 80km radius?"
After evacuation warning, residents of Minami Soma city, closer to Fukushima Daiichi NPP, started evacuating into Soma city. The city opened two more schools as shelters for another 1,000 people, and they are responsible for supplies and food for those evacuees.
Mayor Tachiya declares that he will not advise residents to evacuate before government's advisory or warning to do so. He decided to stay in own town, waiting for improvement in nuclear power plants as soon as possible. He thanks to all of mayors for their help and support in Japan.
Source: http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/0311_jishin/20110324_melma.html
In Soma city, 1,700 residents and 500 outside of city residents are living in 7 shelters as of March 30, 2011. They are short in food, water, and shoes, and asking for donation from NPO and corporates on city's website.
This article manifested that bonding between local governments are stronger than vertical relationship of governments in Japan.
On March 11, 2011, his town lost over 5,000 houses and lost 10% of population from tsunami, and seven people who were on duty to rescue or announce evacuation during series of tsunami. As more news came in, people in emergency response team of city became more quiet with fear and anxiety, but determined to serve for their town with their full effort.
On March 12, 2011, Self Defense and local emergency response teams gathered to set up shelters and meals for evacuees, and city started planning replacement for those who lost houses in tsunami.
However, the evil from 45km away from town came close to Soma city - "fear" from nuclear power plant incidents. News about nuclear power plants just grew fear in everybody's mind, not only in Soma city, but also in all over Japan. Since government announced evacuation warning for 20km (12.4mi.) radius, people in Soma city started preparing for evacuation. At the same time, logistics companies stopped coming into towns in the area. No gasoline, no food, and all they have is the fear of nuclear radiation.
People in Soma city stays in front of TVs, listening to news reporters telling how dangerous it is in the area.
"Isn't it too late to evacuate when things get worse?"
"Is government avoiding telling the truth to keep people from getting panic, and things are actually bad enough to harm our health?"
"Isn't it actually the time to evacuate from here?"
"If not, why US government announced evacuation warning for 80km radius?"
After evacuation warning, residents of Minami Soma city, closer to Fukushima Daiichi NPP, started evacuating into Soma city. The city opened two more schools as shelters for another 1,000 people, and they are responsible for supplies and food for those evacuees.
Mayor Tachiya declares that he will not advise residents to evacuate before government's advisory or warning to do so. He decided to stay in own town, waiting for improvement in nuclear power plants as soon as possible. He thanks to all of mayors for their help and support in Japan.
Source: http://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/0311_jishin/20110324_melma.html
In Soma city, 1,700 residents and 500 outside of city residents are living in 7 shelters as of March 30, 2011. They are short in food, water, and shoes, and asking for donation from NPO and corporates on city's website.
This article manifested that bonding between local governments are stronger than vertical relationship of governments in Japan.
Giuliani talks about Japan
Giuliani was interviewed by Yomiuri Newspaper, and advised that Japan should urge to select a sole chief to respond this disaster, who makes complete commands and orders, and all of information should come to the person.
He also said he would be forming two teams to respond to victims and nuclear power plants.
Structure of Japanese government is a reason for the delays in response and the frustration in people.
The same problems were mentioned critically when Hanshin Great Earthquake occurred in 1995, where 6,500 people died.
SOS message from Minami Soma City Mayor
Minami Soma City is located inside the radius of 30km (18.6mi.) from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where US government warned American citizens must evacuate out of 128.75km (80mi.) from the power plant.
Mr. Sakurai, the mayor of Minami Soma City, claims that people in the town are not getting supplies or neither transportation to evacuate, because the help is not coming in after Japanese government's evacuation warning.
There are still 20,000 people left in town, having no choice to leave or stay, as of March 24th, 2011, when this video was recorded.
He broadcasted himself on youtube, using subtitle in English to report what is actually going on inside the evacuation area in Japan, and to ask for direct help from the public, not the higher government.
I am still in shock he had to do this, because his town is not getting enough support from Japanese government after their own evacuation warning.
Are they going to be left behind? Are they just waiting for their last minute?
Don't they have the choice and the right to live?
Please share this video.
Mr. Sakurai, the mayor of Minami Soma City, claims that people in the town are not getting supplies or neither transportation to evacuate, because the help is not coming in after Japanese government's evacuation warning.
There are still 20,000 people left in town, having no choice to leave or stay, as of March 24th, 2011, when this video was recorded.
He broadcasted himself on youtube, using subtitle in English to report what is actually going on inside the evacuation area in Japan, and to ask for direct help from the public, not the higher government.
I am still in shock he had to do this, because his town is not getting enough support from Japanese government after their own evacuation warning.
Are they going to be left behind? Are they just waiting for their last minute?
Don't they have the choice and the right to live?
Please share this video.
Welcome
I am originally from Japan, and currently reside in southern California, US.
I heard news about this earthquake on streaming TV on internet in the night of March 10, and it was just unreal. After three weeks from the initial attack of earthquake and tsunamis, the situation with nuclear power plants and the condition at shelters are not improved, and people's anticipation are still not eased.
I started this blog for the purpose of sending messages and news to the world, because there are huge number of "untold" stories in Japan and around the world, which we all need to know.
I have never studied journalism, but I know the power of it.I will try to send accurate news as possible.
And hope we all come together after this tragedy which I now feel one of the worst in human being history.
Thank you.
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