As is known, Tohoku earthquake is one of the most destructive and tragic catastrophes in human history. Since it was accompanied by tsunami, the loss of life and the damages of infrastructure were such a humongous ones that the people in Japan as well as those of the world are all panic-stricken as the result of them. In addition, the fear of nuclear radiation is widespread under the skies of Japan and its adjacent countries. With all these difficulties, however, Japanese people gave the moral lesson to the world by showing the dignity to cope with their hardships. Their attitude to endure the adversity, in a way, demonstrated the evolution of human beings. People around the world were all impressed by their courage to overcome the toughest crisis in the history of Japan.
Before I came back to Tokyo after a long absense of my winter vacation, I happened to watch the terrible scenes of Tohoku disaster on March 11 in Korea. I was shocked and panicked because the incident happened in Japan which is my place for my study. Then, I was really at a loss whether to come back to Japan or not. As I expected, my parents at that time strongly recommended me to consider leaving school for a year. At this point, quite a few of Korean students studying in Japan decided not to continue to study in Japan. So, I was in a predicament under this circumstance. "I have only one more semester to go." I talked to myself. I also asked myself "What about my friends in Tokyo? Will they make the same decision like me?" My judgement at this point was to choose to go back to school. It was quite simple to make the decision. The fact was that there are more than 10 million people living in Tokyo. I knew they would not evacuate to other places. They would stay in Tokyo as usual. Then, I got on the plane and came back to Tokyo on April 12th. Everything seemed to go back to normal except the gloomy feelings on the dark streets of Tokyo. Somehow, people looked depressed and low-spirited.
At this point, I was advised to participate some volunteer work in Tohoku area. I really wanted to venture the trip to the disaster area and see the spot with my own eyes and do something good to the victims of the area. Thus, I decided to join one of the volunteer works in Iwata area. However, there was an obstacle to persuade my parents for me to sign up the trip. My parents strongly opposed my plan on the ground that there are possibilities of the aftershocks in that area. With all my disappointment, I had but to choose the alternative by taking part in some volunteer work here in Tokyo. At least I wanted to experience the volunteer work to give a helping hand in relation to the tragic incident of Tohoku earthquake.
 |
| http://www.2hj.org/index.php/eng_home |
As a Korean, I just wanted to show my concern and sympathy to those of the people who are suffering from the hardships. Many of Korean people are willing to help the neighboring country, Japan. Geopolitically, Korea and Japan have strong ties even though there are delicate issues between the two countries. Although I was not able to make a trip to Tohoku area, I tried to participate in some activities which are related to the earthquake incident. In fact, my friend introduced me an organization called "Second Harvest". It is generally known as Food Bank. To put it another way, the aim of this organization is to donate food to the homeless people and low income households. This time, however, the organization is aware of the food crisis in Tohoku area and decided to help the people there by sending food. After I signed up, I got my chance to work there on weekend base. I mostly sorted the donated food and put them into the boxes. I myself also donated some canned food and dried food which I brought from Korea. There was also some simple work of carrying and measuring rice. One of the most interesting experiences was breaking Okinawan brown sugar lump into pieces. It was simply a huge lump of sugar, so everyone had to break it with a hammer and make it into smaller particles. Another day I assembled flashlights and put them into the boxes. Then, I loaded them into a truck. Those foods and flashlights were sent for the people in Tohoku. There were also many other people participating in this volunteer work. The age groups and the nationalities were diverse. I had chances to talk with them and they were all willing to help others. They felt the sympathy to those of the victims of the earthquake. I will continue to participate my voluntary work until I leave Tokyo. I think it is my opportunity to broaden my viewpoint on the matter of natural disaster and human life.
One thing still bothers us is the damages and effects of the nuclear problem in Japan. Japanese government already declared a state of emergency following the failure of Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant. I came to know that cesium, iodine, and stronitium which are the products of radioactive reactions, are floating over the Fukushima area and still contaminating the air, water, and soil of Japan. When Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant exploded, Korean peninsula was also under the fear of radiation. I heard a lot of rumors about the radioactivity disasters. Since Korea is adjacent to Japan, naturally there is a high possibility that the radiation from Fukushima invades the peninsula all at once. In fact, health issues relating to radiation seriously frightened Koreans, especially in the matters of cancers and reproduction of deformed children. At this point, Korean president Lee Myung Bak visited Tohoku and even had an occasion of having some local vegetables and fruits from Fukushima. I believe in his scientific judgement and admire his courage to try local food at this crucial time in Japan. Next time at my meeting of the voluteer work, I will share this story with other volunteers to have the feelings of togetherness.
I hope the prompt recovery of Japan!
