Amongst the panic and hysteria...(and the serious decline in health from worry and stress [and understandably so])...

Following closely the news and updates regarding the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (due to the intense concerns about what may result) and the earthquake and tsunami-hit areas, I'm supremely impressed with Japan, both its citizens and denizens, and communities outside of Japan.

According to NHK World news online, individuals involved in the emergency teams designated to Fukushima Daiichi deserve to be commended. At least, I would like to hug each of them and would gladly give them my last portions of rice, bread or milk (if you are living in the Kanto area, you will know that these are worth their weight in gold). Not only have they been risking their own health amidst unstable situations for the general safety of the residents of the land, but the power company has increased the maximum limit of radiation outside workers exposed to from 100 to 150 milli-sieverts. Also, the Japanese Health Ministry has increased the limit to 250 milli-sieverts. (http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/19_07.html) Getting mentally prepared for doing what they are doing ...is nothing I can even imagine (and I consider my imagination so active and vivid on a daily basis it scares and amazes me constantly).

Meanwhile, the Kanto area is experiencing scheduled blackouts about 1-2 times daily and this is expected to continue for the next several weeks. There are also horrid queues for petrol and, what my teacher explains as, "white shortages," i.e. shortages on toilet paper, tissues, milk, tofu, bread, rice and yogurt. Yet, I have heard no one complain. Not one complaint. "It's difficult, isn't it?" That's the worst of it and even then, it's served up with some optimistic side-dish.

Since the 9.0 earthquake, every conversation I have with members of the foreigner community around me has included a massive desire to DO something to help. National AJET has prepared a "Man up for Japan" relief fund, ALTs in Gunma are already mobilizing interested members for some type of clean up or aid, and every log-in into Facebook shows me a new fund raising effort initiated by some foreigner community in some prefecture.

Tonight, I started looking at reports about local communities back in LA, and there are candle-light vigils in Little Tokyo where I once worked, there are fund raising efforts and articles of support in the Rafu Shimpo and other Asian newspapers.

And just as the oily icing on the cake, Korea was not only one of the first countries to send man-power to assist Japan in its time of need, but they are sending 2.4 million barrels of oil to Japan to help meet the need, bringing the total shipments from Korea thus far to 4.5 million barrels. (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/japan-jx-idUSTKZ00686520110317)

All parts I feel connected to - Japanese nationals, the foreigner community here, Korea, LA, the enclaves in LA - they all seem to be converging. That's a feeling as rare as seeing a super full moon on the perigee side (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2d-sbWt2_ng) - photos to follow.

Great work, everyone...in the world.