rising hope
For days we have watched in awe the dramatic events unfolding in Japan, following the news that show big parts of that highly sophisticated and industrialised country laying in scatters what looks like aftermath of a war, one cannot but be impressed by the calm and altruistic spirit of the people reacting to this tragedy.
WORD POWER [JAPAN] by Build and POSTER FOR JAPAN by Astrid Stavro & Richard Sarson
Perhaps even more impressive than Japan’s technological power is its social strength:
Supermarkets cut prices, vending machine owners giving out free drinks and restaurant owners handing out free food as people work together to survive.
Nippon, that seemed in “hyber-nation” for the last decades of economic decline, with its population alienated and facing a lethargic new generation is putting an incredible collective solidarity on display. We can only guess what impact this catastrophe will leave on the collective consciousness of the japanese in the long run. As Japanese writer Ryu Murakami puts it in The New York Times:
“Ten years ago I wrote a novel in which a middle-school student, delivering a speech before Parliament, says: “This country has everything. You can find whatever you want here. The only thing you can’t find is hope.”
One might say the opposite today: evacuation centers are facing serious shortages of food, water and medicine; there are shortages of goods and power in the Tokyo area as well. Our way of life is threatened, and the government and utility companies have not responded adequately.
But for all we’ve lost, hope is in fact one thing we Japanese have regained. The great earthquake and tsunami have robbed us of many lives and resources. But we who were so intoxicated with our own prosperity have once again planted the seed of hope. So I choose to believe.”
(NYT of March 16, translated from Japanese by by Ralph F. McCarthy)
The altruistic spirit people encounter these days in Japan on their road to recovery manifest itself in a myriad of small stories. Inspired by this, Jun Shiomitsu, student at University of Cambridge created a blog “Voices from Japan” together with ten of his classmates and friends, sharing tweets from japanese twitter accounts. Some of these short messages, proof on personal experiences, we would like to share with you following. For more please see “Voices from Japan”.
Direct donations for Japan can also be made at: Red Cross Japan
DONATE... by Practice and TOKYO CROSSINGS by Fabian Monheim
This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see. Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness. I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection). I am very touched. I am brought to tears.
(Original Japanese text) * 日本人の良さを再認識
この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。
— アジアの架け橋 Suzuki Viet (@VietL) March 12, 2011
この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。
My Boyfriend, Off with His Rescue Unit
Yesterday, I said goodbye to my loved one as he left for one of the hardest-hit areas, Minami Sanriku in Miyagi. He is a member of the Fire Department’s special rescue unit. As I bade him goodbye, I asked “Are you scared?” He simply answered “I just feel sorry for those people whose bodies are still buried and cold and lonely. I just want to help find their bodies as soon as possible so that they can be returned to their families.” This from my boyfriend who is normally so shy he can’t go shopping for clothes by himself. Seeing his quiet resolve, I stifled my tears and sent him off with a smile.
(Original Japanese Text)
http://twitter.com/_amurita_/status/51489294690426880
昨日、私の大切な人が南三陸沖へ出動しました。彼はハイパーレスキュー。「怖い？」と聞いたら「埋まって亡くなられた方が寒いのが、可哀想なだけ。早く出して家族の元へ還したいだけ」と。休日1人で服も買いに行けないシャイな彼が。私も泣かずに送り出しました。
Through the Eyes of a Child
A small child was waiting in line to buy some candy. As his turn approached, I saw him look intently at the cash register for a moment, deep in thought. He then trotted to the disaster relief donations box on the counter, dropped his few coins into it, and trotted back to the shelves to return the candies that were in his hand. As the employee called after the boy thanking him saying “arigato gozaimasu!”, I heard her voice tremble with emotion.
(Original Japanese Text)
Twitter / 松元恵: 子供がお菓子を持ってレジに並んでいたけれど、順番が近 …
http://twitter.com/#!/matsugen/status/47231589758935040
子供がお菓子を持ってレジに並んでいたけれど、順番が近くなり、レジを見て考え込み、レジ横にあった募金箱にお金を入れて、お菓 子を棚に戻して出て行きました。店員さんがその子供の背中に向け てかけた、ありがとうございます、という声が震えてました。
The Bakery Lady
There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school. It has long been out of business. But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free. It was a heart-warming sight. She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need. Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!
* パン屋
http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136
昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。
Card board boxes, Thank you!
It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come. Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!” I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth. Such warm people.
(Original Japanese text) * 段ボールに感動
http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432
ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。
A Big Kind Voice
I’ve been walking for many hours now. I’m touched at how everywhere I turn, there are shops open with people shouting “Please use our bathroom!” or “Please rest here!” There were also office buildings where people with access to information were voluntarily shouting out helpful tips, like “**** line is now operational!” Seeing things like this after walking for hours and hours made me feel like weeping with gratitude. Seriously, there is still hope for this country!
* 呼びかけ
何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな
— 川内亜架音@ねさま (@akanensm) March 11, 2011
何時間も歩き続けてたんだけど、至る所でトイレかしますとか、休憩できますとか言うビルや飲食店が沢山あって感動しました。とある企業ビルの人がボランティアで、○○線運転再開ですー！とか、休憩できますー！！って呼びかけてるの見て感動して泣きそうになったマジでw日本も捨てたもんじゃないな
Goth Youth
A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box. As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!” At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box. Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.
* いつでも買える
http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264
今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。 この話感動しました。
More Food than We Ordered
My family in Sendai (close to epicenter) had ordered some food from Nagoya (in the south, not directly affected). Today, because the postal system was down, my sister went to the postal service center to collect the package. When she returned, my family was surprised to see how big and heavy the package was. Upon opening it, we found much more food than we had ordered, together with a hand-written note saying “Don’t give up!” Amazing!
http://twitter.com/#!/j_kata/status/49327776716693505
妹が名古屋のお店から営業所止で買った荷物を受け取りに行ったら、やたらとデカくて重い。不思議に思いながら開けたら「ガンバ！」というメッセージと共にカップ麺とかがパンパンに詰まってた。家族全員感動。
At Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby. I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …” But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas. Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.
* ディズニーランドでの出来事
ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった
— 原雄司@ケイズデザインラボ (@unosuke) March 12, 2011
ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった
A LIGHT IN THE DARK by Peter Crnokrak / The luxury of protest and FOR JAPAN by Martin Venezky
Total Strangers
My oldest daughter was making her way to Yokohama’s emergency evacuation area. Total strangers were helping each other out and showing each other the way to the emergency evacuation area. She told me she was moved at how strangers, who can seem so cold at times, showed her kindness and care. I was reminded at the Japanese peoples’ inherent ability to immediately unite in the face of adversity. Today, I have discovered a newfound faith in my nation and my people.
* 避難所
http://twitter.com/msakatan/statuses/46302864980705280
長女いわく、横浜の避難所に向かう時に、知らない人達と声を掛け合い、場所を教え合っていたそうです。普段は冷たいと思っていた他人の優しさに触れ、感動したそうです。日本人のいざという時の団結力を再認識しました。まだまだ日本も捨てたものではないです。
The Backrub Society
The little children in my evacuation facility, where we all still live, came up with the idea of a “Backrub Society” for the elderly. I could see that the elderly were strengthened just by even spending time with the little ones, talking and laughing with them. To all the little children in the “Backrub Society”, well done!!
(Original Japanese Text)
避難所にいる子供たちが考えた「肩もみ隊」 お年寄りはこういうふれあいだけで元気が出るのだと感動しました。 その子供さんたちにエールを送りたいです♪
— 津久井《工房や》教生 (@koubouya) March 21, 2011
避難所にいる子供たちが考えた「肩もみ隊」 お年寄りはこういうふれあいだけで元気が出るのだと感動しました。 その子供さんたちにエールを送りたいです♪
Strawberries for a Little Girl
A few days after the earthquake, in Sendai City (directly impacted area) when food was scarce, I remember seeing a little girl, about 2 years old, staring longingly at some strawberries that an old lady sitting next to her was holding. The old lady suddenly noticed the little girl and without hesitation said “Here darling, you have them. We all have to help each other in times like these, okay?” I know the old lady had been in line for several hours to buy those strawberries, but she did it just to see the overjoyed look on the little girl’s face. It was a heartwarming sight.
(Original Japanese text)
震災直後の仙台市。食糧が全くない頃。2歳くらいの女の子が、横にいた見知らぬおばあさんの持つイチゴをずーっと見てる。するとおばあさんが、「お嬢ちゃん食べなさい。困った時はお互いさまよ」 おばあさんだって、数時間並んで手に入れたイチゴ。女の子はすごく嬉しいそうにしていた。 感動した。
— kissy (@hellosmileagain) March 20, 2011
震災直後の仙台市。食糧が全くない頃。2歳くらいの女の子が、横にいた見知らぬおばあさんの持つイチゴをずーっと見てる。するとおばあさんが、「お嬢ちゃん食べなさい。困った時はお互いさまよ」 おばあさんだって、数時間並んで手に入れたイチゴ。女の子はすごく嬉しいそうにしていた。 感動した。
Looked Absolutely Delicious!
I too saw the guy handing out free rice balls and miso soup on the way back from Akihabara. I was on my bicycle so I told him, “I’m okay, please give it to other people!” On hindsight, I should have taken one … they looked absolutely delicious!!
* 絶対うまいはず
僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う
— 旧長島 (@kyugatimuti) March 12, 2011
僕も秋葉からの帰りにおにぎりとみそ汁配ってる方に会いました、感動しました、チャリだったからダイジョブです他の人にって言ったけどもらっておけばよかったなぁ絶対うまかったと思う
The Beauty of Helping
I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City. I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement. I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.
* 助け合い
http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488
警備員の友人何人かが町田～相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。
A Strong Voice
Yesterday, I was impressed and touched by the actions of my neighbor’s 13-year-old-boy. He was home alone when the earthquake hit. But instead of hiding, as soon as the earthquake quieted down, he jumped on his bicycle and road around the block repeatedly shouting at the top of his voice, “Is everyone alright? Is everyone okay?” At the time, there were only women and children and the elderly in the homes. I cannot describe how comforting it was just to hear a strong voice asking if I was okay. Thank you!
* 声をかけること
http://twitter.com/RUMI88LoL/statuses/46342599149240320
昨日、裏の家の高１になるお兄ちゃんに感動した。 家に１人で居たらしく、地震後すぐ自転車で飛び出し近所をひと回り。 【大丈夫ですか―――！？】と道路に逃げてきた人達にひたすら声掛けてた。あの時間には老人や母子しか居なかったから、声掛けてくれただけでもホッとしたよ。 ありがとう。
The Power of Accumulated Gratitude
Many countries have come forth to help Japan in its hour of need. We the people of Japan must never forget what has been done for us. The touching moments shared and the gratitude accumulated between our countries are the most powerful force behind mutual understanding at a “populational” level. They build a bond far deeper than and on an entirely different dimension from the strategic alliances our governments may form.
(Original Japanese Text)
震災に対しては、海外から多くの支援が寄せられているが、日本人は、その「恩」を忘れてはいけない。助け合うことの感謝と感動の記憶の蓄積は、国民間の相互理解をきっと推し進めてくれる。それは、政府レベルの「戦略的互恵関係」などというものよりも、もっと深い次元での結びつきとなる。
— 平野啓一郎 (@hiranok) March 21, 2011
震災に対しては、海外から多くの支援が寄せられているが、日本人は、その「恩」を忘れてはいけない。助け合うことの感謝と感動の記憶の蓄積は、国民間の相互理解をきっと推し進めてくれる。それは、政府レベルの「戦略的互恵関係」などというものよりも、もっと深い次元での結びつきとなる。
The Stars
The rolling power outages brought wonderful things too; the stars are just breathtaking!
(Original Japanese Text)
http://twitter.com/gm0yuka/statuses/50675520458850304
節電で嬉しい事もありました。星が綺麗です。