Update from Japan: Earthquake and Tsunami Aftermath

I thought I should make a post on the blog since many have been inquiring about our well being after Japan’s most devastating earthquake ever on Friday. It’s certainly been 2 very long days for everyone here in Japan and this is just the start of a long recovery from this disaster.

I’ve received over 100 emails from readers, forum members and customers passing on prayers and well wishes as well as simply making sure we are okay. I’m happy to report that my family and I here in Chiba are fine though quite in shock and still getting over the big scare. Thank to all those who emailed an I’m sorry I have not been able to email each and everyone of you individually with an update.  Those involved with TSG’s business here in Japan are all okay and we are still operating albeit with delays and some obvious distractions. A note to people with orders pending, they will of course all be filled but please expect some delays as logistically Japan is still functioning under alert and heavy obstructions. We are of course taking orders as well and I do apologize in advance for any delayed responses from myself or TSG.

As for the situation here in Japan, the north eastern area up in Tohoku region was of course the hardest hit with the epicenter of the 8.9 magnitude quake being just east of Sendai and only 231 miles from Tokyo. The entire east coast was affected by monsterous Tsunamis wiping out towns and displacing tens of thousands of people. At this point the casualty count is at 1700 dead or unaccounted for and rising. Here in Chiba, we are actually about a 20 minute drive from the east coast Kujukuri beach which was also under Tsunami warning. Our community, Kiminomori Golf Club (marked by the A on the map above) is part of Oami a resort town with a population of about 50000 people. Our area is newer and on top of a mountain and were mostly affected by violent shaking. There have been aftershocks occurring maybe even every 10-20 minutes some with magnitudes over 6.0. Needless to say it was difficult to sleep last night as the house shook and swayed with the tremors. Down in the older parts of Oami, they were without electricity for nearly 24 hours and without gas.  Supermarkets were closed today and my wife and I headed to the small market in our community but by the time we arrived, the store was already sold out of meat, fish and bread.

Millions of commuters were stranded in Tokyo yesterday as transit came to a halt. My neighbor and playing partner actually purchased a bicycle and peddled his way home from Tokyo taking 7 hours. Tokyo as advanced as it is withstood the earthquake admirably. A huge fire broke out at the Cosmos gas refinery just 45 minutes south of Kiminomori in Ichihara which was quite scary. As I type this we are again getting several large tremors, some lasting more than 10 seconds. At this point my body feels as if it has lots a sense of equilibrium and it feels like everything is constantly moving.

I can only share my horror with the rest of you as to what has happened up North here in Japan and mourn the lives lost and the destruction to the country I now call my home. The search and rescues continue and I cannot help to worry what will happen to all the people who had their homes washed away right before their eyes. It’s now been reported that 9500 people in the town of Minamisanriku have gone missing, swept away by the powerful waves.

In the mean time many concerns are now directed towards the cooling of two nuclear plants including the Fukushima plant which has already had an explosion and radiation leak. The shaking continues and every time I think the tremors have become weaker or less frequent, a strong one comes along to remind me of the fear inside me. I actually should not use the word aftermath in the title as it sounds like its over but its still ongoing.  So we’re about to head into night 2 and can only hope to get some sleep tonight and wake up with some more promising news. In the meantime, thanks again to all those who have given their support, it is very much appreciated.

There is a thread on the forum following our well being since the quake happened (I began posting there 30 minutes after the first big quake).