Live update – Japanese disaster
Japanese exchange students show support
The Japanese community in Sheffield reacted with shock today after a second hydrogen blast in three days, at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which injured 11 people and sent a column of smoke into the air.
It is another blow for the Japanese community in Sheffield, after Friday’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake – which is the fifth largest in the world since 1900 – and subsequent tsunami.
Searchers have found over 2,000 bodies and it is feared that the death count could pass the 10,000 mark.
Japan is preparing for another night of water, electricity, fuel and food shortages as residents fear for their missing loved ones.
A Japanese perspective
Yuya Shino, a web journalism student at Sheffield University, said: “The Japanese community is in a state of shock. We’ve been glued to the TV and internet over the weekend watching the terrible events at home.
“Luckily my family is OK, but communications are difficult and some people have not been able to contact loved ones.
“The main worries for people in the damaged area of north east Japan is the possibility of a big after-shock over the next few days and all over the country people are concerned about the risk of radioactive leakages from the damaged nuclear plants.
“Of course the worries about radioactive contamination reminds people of the nuclear bomb attacks in World War II.”
Raising £975 in one day
Naho Iwata, a student at the University of Sheffield, has started fund-raising in order to help relief efforts back home.
Iwata, who contacted her friends on Facebook about the tragedy and was aided by 15 fundraisers, said: “I would like to do anything for Japan as soon as possible, just now, from today.
“I’m not sure if I would do the same thing if I was in Japan. I may have thought that someone would have done so, but only we can help Japan in Sheffield.”
On Sunday, alone, almost £1,000 was raised – which will go to the Japanese Red Cross.
Save Japan in Sheffield
William Christopher, 27, who is half-Japanese and half-British, was involved in a meeting called Save Japan in Sheffield. On why he attended the meeting, he said: “Because I used to live in Kobe, until I was 11-years-old, the news reminds me of the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995.
“I want to take actions for Japan, not just watching the news. If we work as a group, we can have a better idea than if we each think about it individually.
“We would like to do fund-raising but – at the same time, as students and young people – we would also like to do something that others wouldn’t do for Japan.
“When I was in Kobe, a lot of people lost close friends; my teacher suddenly started crying in the classroom. I know people in there need mental care.”
Meeting attracts attendants
Amelia Cook – a 27-year-old who studied Japanese Studies at the University of Sheffield – attended the Save Japan in Sheffield meeting, which was held on Saturday.
Cook said: “I came to today’s session because we’ve seen a lot of earthquakes recently in the last few years, in countries that I have no connection to, and it’s the first time that I’ve really felt my friends could die and last night I was very worried that some of my friends had died.
“So it’s the first time that I felt strongly that earthquakes – something we don’t experience in England – are things that could kill and I would like to help rebuild the country that I love.
“I would like to find creative ways to help people in Japan that raises awareness not just of this earthquake, but also the damage that earthquakes can do.”
Talking about the disaster
Exchange student Yuta Kaizu produced a slideshow about the earthquake, during a Japanese Language Lecture as part of the International Language Festival, yesterday.
He said: “I found the news, concerning Japan’s massive earthquake and ferocious tsunami, on the Internet. At first, to tell you the truth, I was not surprised because earthquakes frequently occur in Japan throughout the year.
“Yet, whilst hearing the latest news about earthquake’s serious damage, my impression had widely changed. I began to worry about my family and friends, and also felt frustrated at my lack of ability.
“The reason why I added the slides, about the toll of earthquake and tsunami, to my presentation was to attract more people’s attention to the disaster. If they mentioned the disastrous situation to other people, far more people would be able to take part in activities that could aid Japan – such as fundraising.
Further information and events
Next Sunday is Japan Day, which is normally a celebration of Japanese culture, but this year Sheffield Univesity’s Japanese Society will also use the day to raise funds for earthquake victims.
British nationals and friends and relatives of those in Japan can contact the Foreign Office on +44(0) 20 7008 0000.