Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Tonester,

Every time we feel an aftershock or a jolt in Tokyo, we think of the people in Niigata. Our deepest sympathies from our school on the loss of your students and the hardships you are facing.

I know it's a drop in the bucket, but our school is putting together a blanket drive and we're contributing funds to earthquake relief. We can't be there, but it's the least we can do to help those who live with the results of this quake.

I think you're very brave to stick it out to the end of your contract. I'm sure your colleagues would forgive you if you left now, considering the hardships that you have to endure.

I've never been through an earthquake, but I've also lost students before. This week, my school is having a memorial to one of our boys who died in an accident a year ago. All the teachers pulled together to help the kids cope with the loss. It's important to honour the people we've lost and I'm sure that your presence is of comfort to others there in your town.

Meanwhile, it's very important to take care of yourself. If you need resources, just ask.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

Tone
Do you think that part of the cause for the depth of your reaction could be attributed to coming from Oz, a place not known for earthquakes? I mean I've been through a couple cyclones so the prospect of going through another doesn't faze me.

Tonester · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 12:00 am Post subject:

Thanks for your support everyone. Well I can understand that being from Oz can have something to do with my reaction to the tremors but I did fear for my life when the shaking started. Even now aftershocks are continuing but their intensity is getting lower and I can finally sleep better now. Water will be restored within the next few days so I guess I will now be able to pick up the pieces of my life now and start to rebuild it. It'll take time for me to get over it but hopefully my time home should make me feel much better.

I will reiterate that I do NOT hate it here in Japan (like Mulder automatically assumed just because I chose to give a complete description of my situation and my feelings forthwith! Mulder, if I misunderstood you I offer my apologies but your comment did sound very harsh and unsympathetic. I bet if you were in my boots you would have gone back on the next plane but I guess you being in Tokyo you never felt the tremors as much as I did........) and I will stick out my contractual obligations as a 2nd year JET. I am in doubt whether I'll renew my contract but hopefully after some counselling I'll be able to make a better informed decision when the time comes.

My earthquake experience will not change my feelings for Japan. I love being in Japan and only if Ishihara Shintaro becomes the next PM (which I doubt, despite that radical bigot's popularity) would I ever decide to start to hate living in Japan.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

How bad was the shinkansen derailment? There were only 20 fatalitites, so I assume the train accident wasn't too bad. That's surprising, and rather amazing that it is the first time in the shinkansen's history to have ever derailed. That would have been a bad ride.

I'm rather used to earthquakes, having been born and raised in Southern California. I remember when the Northridge quake hit, and the one up in the Bay Area when the double layered freeway collapsed on itself. I thought the minor tremors were rather fun in Japan last year, but there is no way I would have wanted to be in Kobe in '95 or Niigata this time around.

Tonester · Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2004 2:06 am Post subject:

It was not that serious but it took a long time to get it lifted as the job required the use of a crane. Pretty dangerous work, not to mention that as the work was being done to lift it another aftershock occurred and undid all their efforts.

You certainly do not want to be where I am as the situation has left Ojiya in a rut. Not only rebuilding but there are people who still do not have any gas or water or even a home any more Sad

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

Hey Tonester I feel for ya that was a big one.

Hopefully, once you get back to Oz for some RR you'll have a chance to think about things and come to a decision about moving.

I have to say if you thinking of moving to entirely avoid earthquakes there a quite a few places to be avoided in Japan. Might be futile.

take care, Mike.....

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Thanks you for your candid comments Tonester. I've only had small earthquakes and can't imagine being in a big one. I think I have a better understanding of what went on from your description. Thank you. I pray you have a good holiday and are able to emotionally return to Japan.

nawlinsgurl · Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2004 3:48 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know about the BIG earthquake supposed to happen in the Shizuoka area? I moved here not knowing and apparently this is a major fault line? Any truth to that? Question

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2004 3:37 am Post subject:

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520