No doubt due to the uncertainty surrounding the increasingly worrying state of the nuclear plant in Fukushima, panic buying has started in Tokyo, with instant noodles in particular all but gone from supermarket shelves. And where I live at least, there’s no point even queuing for fuel anymore, as the petrol stations have not only sold out, but simply closed.
Add into this mix the confusion of scheduled blackouts which all but haven’t happened, but are causing un-Tokyo-like transportation chaos, and it could well be a recipe for upheaval, or at the very least unrest.
Yet it’s not. Far from it in fact. Instead, everyone is going about their business, or at least trying to do, in a calm, dignified manner.
And, for a city that can certainly be very frosty, it’s noticeably more friendly. Nods, smiles and the odd konichi-wa are suddenly commonplace, with a definite feeling of, ‘we are all in this together’, now prominent.
Plus, were once the presence of others would be merely put up with, it’s now happily embraced — sought out even.
Of course it won’t last. No matter how much I wish it would. But it’s incredibly nice nonetheless.
Matt Gallais says
I wish I could be there too. Just for the sake of being with you all during this disaster.
Take care.
Lee says
Thanks Matt!
Taki says
Thanks. My family isn’t close to Sendai but I certainly feel for them and with them. Mina, Gambatte!
Lee says
Not at all Taki, and I know just how you feel.
andra says
completely agree with matt gallais. i guess there is one upside to disasters: it brings people closer together, making friends even of the unlikely ones. i wonder if the international outpouring of support will do anything to making the Japanese more welcome to foreigners?
they said on http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/122890/20110315/japan.htm, that levels of radiation in Tokyo are going up. Do you feel anything?
Lee says
It may well do Andra. Certainly hope so.
As for the radiation, the amount in Tokyo was totally negligible, so nothing at all to worry about. At least not yet…
Brixter says
Im glad that that Kanagi family is safe and sound. I almost flown to Japan when I heard the tragedy.
Tiger Tsuki says
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers…
Lee says
Thanks!
Linette says
Thank you for the spot lighting the silver lining. I do hope the land and the people will rebound into something even greater than it is.
Lee says
Not at all. That’s exactly how I saw things.
Jessica says
Thank you so much for continuing to post – especially with more hopeful pictures. Your updates are always a highlight of my day!
Lee says
Thanks Jessica. At first it felt strange posting something, but documenting what it’s like here at the moment seems like the thing to do.
Animal says
Thank you for your updates! Prayers are with you and your country. I only wish my USA would learn the lessons of civility and calm during crisis. . .