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Please God, listen to us! No more quakes, no more explosions! We've HAD ENOUGH!

Posted on 03/15/11 by User_image_bgnickjames

User_image_bg nickjames View Profile
Member since 24 February 2011
  • 15 Posts
  • 13 Comments

As we've all seen through an assortment of media outlets, the catastrophes occurring in Japan are terrific. However, its hard to gauge how young people are directly affected by the events, in terms of there thoughts, worries, or messages to other young people throughout the rest of the world.

I decided to interview a close friend of mine (through Facebook) who is currently living near Tokyo, to give this audience a glimpse into the current feelings of a young person who is being impacted in every way possible because of the current (and potentially impending) disasters.

My friend has asked to remain anonymous, out of respect for the other countrymen who might voice different opinions regarding the recent tragedies. I have given her the title of K.

N: So where are you right now, what are you doing?

K: I am in Musashino-city, Tokyo. At home with my husband. I am chatting with you, nothing else. My husband is watching "young superman" online. It is 0:17 AM now. So kinda ready to go to bed.

N: What makes you the most nervous right now?

K: People are leaving Tokyo. This is what makes me nervous the most. I am worried about the aftershock, too. We just had a big one.

N: I heard, 6.4...

K: The epicenter is near the Mt. Fuji. What if the Mt. Fuji would explode? So scary. Mt. Fuji is an active volcano that has been inactive since its last eruption in 1707.

N: Wow...I couldn't imagine, volcano would be only other disaster that i guess could happen!

K: It is scary just to think about. I am very tired of worrying. Anything could happen. Things can get worse. Also, I am nervous about the radiation, too.

N: If you could share a message with young people throughout your country that might be scared, what would it be?

K: I am one of the young people who is scared. Oh, am I not young any more? (For the record, she is approximately 25).

N: You are young, but i meant maybe for the 12 year olds who are trying to be brave and must have no concept of what’s happening.

K: Oh i see. Well, Tokyo is in a chaos right now. Transportation is so chaotic that I cannot go to work. There have been scheduled blackout, which is not actually "scheduled." They cancelled it last 2 days in my area. They say it is better to stay at home because of the aftershocks of the quakes and the radiation risks. So I have been staying at home since march 11th. I miss my friends, my co-workers, my everyday life.

N: Life is at a standstill...

K: Yes. Many people are still working though, commuting to their company. Taking risks of the chaotic trains and radiation things. But on the other hand, many people have already left or are leaving Tokyo. Evacuated somewhere safe. I think I should stay calm. Do what I can do to reboot our country, our economy and bring some good or blight news to people who suffered from this horrible disasters.

N: I think you are right.

K: Staying at home does not help anything. I think it is the time to use my money to circulate economy here. Please also keep it anonymous. People are really sensitive about opinions right now. I think they are just being respectful for the people who have different opinions.

N: What’s your message to young people?

K: My message to young people is "think and find your answer on your own."

N: So what do you think about nuclear power now that your country has faced recent problems?

K: Nuclear power! I am angry at myself as I have never thought about it so seriously. I should have known or realized more about the risks. Even though we were bombed in Hiroshima and so much suffered, we are using it. This explosion of nuclear power plant had proved that there is no such a safe thing for human beings. We are really taking risks to maintain our modern life. I think we all should be aware of it.

N: Well thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with the VOY community.

K: We can never live without destroying nature. That’s our modern life…

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Comments

  • on 03/15/11, by Jeanne:

    It's so great that you took the time to interview your friend. One thing that struck a chord with me is that K wants to get moving and do what she can to help her country rebuild. When a person is unable to do anything to help it can be very frustrating. I was evacuated from my city for 7 weeks following a devastating hurricane and the feeling of helplessness was almost too much to bear. So, I hope K and her husband are OK and I look forward to reading updates!

  • on 03/15/11, by MobileYouthInnovator:

    This captures the feeling of being in Japan right now. Thank you for posting this.
  • ficho

    on 03/15/11, by ficho:

    Thank you for this very strong testimony from Tokyo. I think we are all in shock about what is going on, at least I am, and all of our thoughts go to Japan and everyone currently there. I sincerely that hope you all stay safe and that things get resolved quickly... Hang in there! The whole world is praying for you.

  • on 03/16/11, by nuorder:

    The world can be in peril in no time. Our selfishness makes us forget this too easily...and then we are reminded because we see fellow human beings suffering....and then we are not changing anything in our lives...and then we forget...and then another thing happens....and then we show compassion again. thanks for the interviews it really brings it home!
  • Dexter

    on 03/17/11, by Dexter:

    the situation in japan right now is very serious. Being affected by 3 major catastrophes( 8.9 magnitude quake, 10km tsunami wave and a nuclear meltdown), this is alarming and it would also have dire consequences on the japan economy as there would be less productivity since all would stay at home due to the nuclear circulation. with the use of the internet, they can do something productive even it they are at home to boost the national income. This nuclear thing, hmm, although it is a cheap and alternative source of electricity, it also dangerous to the human health and its exposure could lead to certain complications. This is a lesson japan should learn from to avert further situations that might occur again. But for they have to stay calm and pray to God for guidance and mercy. God be with them.
  • Dexter

    on 03/17/11, by Dexter:

    the situation in japan right now is very serious. Being affected by 3 major catastrophes( 8.9 magnitude quake, 10km tsunami wave and a nuclear meltdown), this is alarming and it would also have dire consequences on the japan economy as there would be less productivity since all would stay at home due to the nuclear circulation. with the use of the internet, they can do something productive even it they are at home to boost the national income. This nuclear thing, hmm, although it is a cheap and alternative source of electricity, it also dangerous to the human health and its exposure could lead to certain complications. This is a lesson japan should learn from to avert further situations that might occur again. But for they have to stay calm and pray to God for guidance and mercy. God be with them.

  • on 03/17/11, by widad khokhar:

    I couldn't imagine things getting worse in Japan.

  • on 03/25/11, by longcat:

    Thank you for taking the time to respond to this interview. My family is praying for God to stop destroying infrastructure and killing innocent people with his holy disasters. With so many people united in prayer, He will surely have mercy on Japan.

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