Many across globe don't remember a thing about March 11, 2011
March 11, 2011 was supposed to be a joyous day. It was the first day of my week-long family excursion across the northeastern United States. It also happened to be the birthday of one of my best friends. I had looked forward to the coming of March 11th for a very long time, and woke up earlier than usual in eager anticipation.
Then I saw my grandparents up earlier than usual. They were standing in the middle of the hotel room watching TV with an expression of blank disbelief on their face. “That’s odd,” I thought. “They’re usually up earlier than I am, but certainly not at 4:45 in the morning.” I said good morning. They didn’t reply.
Confused, I hopped out of bed and turned to face the TV. I looked for a second. Then I dropped to the floor in anguish.
“8.8M earthquake and tsunami hits northeastern Japan,” the heading on CNN blared. Waves of water pummeled towns and countrysides into bits and pieces. The live feed showed people attempting to run away by car and by other forms of motorized transport. Very few managed to get away.
I called all of my friends and acquaintances in northeastern Japan to make sure that they were alright. It didn’t work. The receiving lines were dead. I sent emails and hoped that they were all safe. At the time, there was little else that I could really do.
It was a couple of days later that I found out that they all escaped unscathed. Many of their kinsmen weren’t so lucky. The earthquake and tsunami took away a total of more than 15,000 lives and left tens, if not hundreds of thousands of others without homes. Radiation leaked by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was of significant worry; many fled their homes, leaving some towns deserted and overwhelming nearby municipalities with refugees.
To make matters worse, the government screwed up. You would think that they would have learned from the painful lessons taught by the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. They didn’t. They withheld information about the nuclear power plant from the public. They did not anticipate the risk of tsunami damage sufficiently and worked on mistaken assumptions. People who would not have otherwise died became casualties of the disaster.
Nonetheless, there was an immense outpouring of sympathy for the Japanese. Fundraisers were started to help raise money for the relief efforts. Videos on YouTube expressing support for Japan were uploaded. Some even took the initiative to go to Japan and help with the cleanup physically. In the wake of disaster and calamity, the world stopped fighting and started to work together.
That was one year ago. The cleanup efforts are still ongoing. People are still destitute and without homes. The Fukushima Daiichi power plant and the area surrounding it are still being contained. For many, the disaster is still not over.
Despite this, many across the globe who had been so sympathetic one year ago don’t remember a thing about March 11. Are 15,000 lives really that insignificant? Are the lives of survivors really not worth even a thought?
For individuals in Japan and those abroad, it is important to remember those who died. What is even more important, however, is to continue to support individuals who were affected. This is a pledge that we should all make on this first anniversary – a pledge that shows a true commitment to supporting a movement rather than simply a knee-jerk reaction to a global catastrophe.
To never forget not only the deceased, but to support those who are continuing to struggle to piece together a semblance of their former lives. To continue to fight against bureaucratic inaction and call for transparency in government on the behalf of those whose voices continue to go unheard.
Never forget March 11, 2011.
Author Infomation
- Peter Dyloco
- Peter Dyloco is concerned about the gradual decline of the Japanese economy. His objective is to bring a fresh perspective to the issues currently facing the country, and spark discussion that may lead to their potential resolutions.
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34 Comments
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0
KariHaruka
I made sure that on 3/11 that I reminded people about what had happened and the vast majority of my European friends remember. Sadly though we live in a world where at the people will be sympathetic and do what they can. But a year on we can't expect all of those people to remember what date it occurred on. Like i know about Bin Laden's death last year, but I don't remember what date he died on and unless someone says something taht day would just pass like any other.
People in Japan and many more will never forget the people who died on this day though.
6
Cletus
Actually a well written article, but you need to remember its not that the rest of the world doesnt care or has forgotten what happened its just they have moved on with their lives and other big news items have replaced this as a news headline therefore pushing it to the back of peoples minds. The same happens with every disaster, the country that it happens in has more of a focus on it than the rest of the outside world. Its not that the rest of the world doesnt care its just a sad fact of life.
10
gaijinfo
To put things into perspective, the only time Japan remembers tragedies in other countries a year after they occurred is if any Japanese died in them. Otherwise, they are much less knowledgeable or concerned, than western countries are about Japan and 3/11.
12
sillygirl
what are you talking about? theatre and movie people in NYC just held benefit performances, the anniversary was written up in every major newspaper in the world, concerts galore, cherry blossom festivals in the US, benefits in Europe......the earthquake and tsunami victims are being remembered.
15
borscht
Really? Don't remember a thing? Or don't memorialize an event that happened in another country with hours of TV specials, money-making concerts (Johnny's), and a replay of all events from the previous year?
For example, Last Christmas, I don't remember seeing concerts, hours of TV specials, or a continuous loop of the Indian Ocean tsunami on Japanese TV. Are 200,000 lives really that insignificant?
-3
papigiulio
Ehhh nope. I didnt hear anything about the NZ earthquake this year. At all. I think this is more a far from my bed story im afraid.
0
caffeinebuzz
Unfortunately this is the way with the world and we can't help but move on or else we'd be forever bogged down in remembrance of everything that has ever happened. This is not to say that we shouldn't pay the appropriate respects, but it's a bit of an ask to keep everyone's attention focused. The Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004 in which an estimated 275,000 died is another example (try asking most people, Japanese included, when it was, where it happened or how many died.
1
Samantha Ueno
I think gaijinfo meant that any time Japanese media reports on a tragedy somewhere in the world is when any Japanese were injured or killed in them. Do you know how many Japanese were missing after the NZ earthquake? 24. because it was all anyone reported on the morning news for weeks.
-1
Christopher Blackwell
Remember something a year ago? Hell by the day after tomorrow we won't remember what was big news today,I mean it will be so Yesterday, old news.
Anyone remember Haiti, Ecuador, New Zealand. All of those people are still suffering, still without their homes and businesses, still waiting to see the aid they were promised. The governments got it, but a lot went missing, or in someone's pockets. Meanwhile all the governments are moving what seems slowly or not at all. Everything seems to be a bit delayed for some reason. Got to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts.
But all of that is so old news, last year even. Meanwhile what is the latest scandal in politics, which movies star was caught in bed with whom, and what is my team doing right now? You know, the important stuff that we will be gossiping and arguing so much about. Now here, what is for dinner? Now that is important! Whose says our civilization is shallow, but if it doesn't affect us, why worry about it? Meanwhile our media will tell us what is important and what to think.
3
Johannes Weber
The actual point here is that the date is not really important. That which is important is the greater picture - in the case of the Tohoku quake and tsunami that means the danger from industrial and especially nuclear faciliites, which exceed the range of the direct nuclear disaster by far. And this will never be forgotten in Europe or around the world. The first to forget about the nuclear accident are the "SHOGANAI Japanese" - it has already started.
The NZ quake disappeared from the global perspective only because of the Fukushima accident. Did you know that they exceeded 10000 quakes since September 2010 in and around Christchurch recently? The exact number of victims of a disaster in fact doesn't mean anything for the importance of the "event". But Fukushima has a global scope and overshadows all other events of the previous years.
Btw, the Tsunami in 2004 happened on December 26th. I think it's hard to forget calamities on Christmas (at least for people who see more in it than gift-exchanging events). We need some helpers to make the dates stick in our memories.
1
Wurthington
Hurricane Katrina took 1,836 lives and caused $81 billion in damage. Americans did not even think to expect any country to remember Katrina even 1 year later. It is now a distant memory and I'll bet, unless you look it up, you probably don't know when it was unless you had relatives in the area. Point is, countless countries have had major catastrophes over the last few years and for the Japanese to think their catastrophe was anymore significant than another is dillusional. I know people are still hurting in Japan but they need to focus on helping those that still need help and not worry that no one remembers.
-3
gogogo
To be fair, I don't think the government caused any deaths by mismanagement.
1
wtfjapan
gee talk about making yourself more important, ask a Japanese person what day the asian Tsunami was, most wouldnt have a clue. 20,000 deaths from a tsunami natural disaster isnt that significant compared to the earthquakes in China, Pakistan turkey and tsunami in asian 200,000+ in the last ten years. then again 420,000+ japanese suicides in the last 14 years doesnt really make the news in Japan, so why should the 3/11 earthquake/tsuanami be any more important!!??
2
Gurukun
Very true! Nuff said.
0
ultradork
People tend to forget pain & suffering, particularly when not directly affected by it, nothing strange about that. Modern tech helps us learn about it almost as it happens but after the news reports slow down...
0
RowanM
I posted about it last week and my sister didn't remember, either. So I understand your point. However, this self-pitying self-righteousness doesn't win you any friends and no one's going to pity you if you're doing it enough yourself.
4
zichi
People living outside of Japan probably don't remember the date as well as maybe 9/11, but they will remember that last year the country experienced three mega disasters. People continue to donate money to the IRC.
0
iceshoecream
Why would they? They don't live in Japan.
1
Hategobo
The Earthquake and Tsunami were eclipsed by happenings at Fukushima and its aftermath. Even the JGov`s attention has been averted by Fukushima. It was replaced as a news item internationally by the Libyan Uprising which made better TV coverage for a longer period. People around the world have not forgotten.
5
fanofjapan2005
Some 6,000 miles away from Japan, I have yet to remove my "Pray For Japan" wristband (a Lady Gaga production -- proceeds went to Japan ... mostly). Early on, I contributed some money to "Save The Children," focusing on northeast Japan's children, of course. This week, I've watched repeats of the 3/11/11 monstrosity on channels like History channel, Science channel, etc. I can't ever forget it. Wish I could send more money, but I'm retired and living principally on Social Security.
1
Pukey2
Why does Japan always want to be seen as a victim, always wanting the world's attention? It's natural that people within Japan will always have this on their minds, but the rest of the world has its own problems to deal with. Everyone moves on. As some of you have said, how much thought was given to the South East Asian tsunami disaster? The only charitable event in Japan that I recall was a group of young boy scouts collecting money outside the station. No tarentos or big-shots that I can remember. Simply put, Japan does not have a monopoly on disasters.
0
Greapper1
People move on with their lives.
Sumatra earthquake Sichuan earthquake Chile earthquake Haiti earthquake Tohoku earthquake "unnamed new earthquakes" ∞
0
Donald Taylor
Some of us in America remember but the truth is life goes on. There will be another tragedy, like the tornadoes that killed people here in the southeast last week. A large dramatic event provokes a large response that trails off exponentially. This has been the case for as long as I can remember, say the last 45 years. I suspect that if you go to the history books you will find that this is the way it has always been. Doesn't mean that it is right just that it is human nature. Perhaps it is a protective mechanism built into human nature as in the words of George Harrison:
Now the darkness only stays the night-time In the morning it will fade away Daylight is good at arriving at the right time Its not always going to be this grey
All things must pass All things must pass away All things must pass All things must pass away
-3
Nicky Washida
fanofjapan - God bless you.
2
uzneko
Some people here in Japan don't seem to remember already either, during the minute of silence last Sunday, many people around me kept shopping, talking, and basically didn't even seem to notice the time or date....
-1
Gurukun
uzeneko, they haven't forgotten,...they have no respect for those that had died, and those that are still battleing what happened on 3/11.
0
gyouza
I've not seen any indication of this whatsoever, or at least no more than people have forgotten Aceh and Haiti and NZ. If you have no connection to that country there is no reason to observe the anniversary, but that doesn't mean they have forgotton it.
0
hatsoff
And not a scrap of evidence or even a personal anecdote from the writer to back this statement up in any way whatsoever.
My family back in the UK have told me there have been lots of news report marking the first anniversary of the disaster. And over the past twelve months, when big news has broken about Fukushima Daiichi, I have seen coverage myself on BBC World.
-1
choiwaruoyaji
I mean no disrespect to the people who sadly died in the Tohoku disaster last year, but it has to be said... it was a pretty small disaster in relative terms.
Just have a look at the wiki page 'List of natural disasters by death toll'... some of those disasters and their death tolls are just incredible.
-3
Chris Lowery
I remember 3/11. West japan, playing with the students, a bit of snow being blown in from the winter clouds, on the mountains, it was that beautiful type of day, clear skys, but a bit of snow in the air. I even remeber looking at the date on the black board and saying " hmm, 3-11-11. Seems so complete, like a full circle, and what a beautiful day" I never played so much with the students all year than I had on that one. So what a tragic shock I Got that evening at church that night. It taught me so much, But me being a man of faith, I think I learned very deeply how important it is to understand the will of God, and to never just throw that statement "It must be the will of God" out there so lightly. I think all people of God got a strong reprimand in there hearts, and a clear messege, that God is everywhere and can do what ever, whenever, and to whomever He chooses. And just mabye our Idea of the 'Day of the Lord' may be a bit distorted. At any rate, I was trully humbled. And my heart is for anyone who has faced any tragedy in their lives. God bless you, and may He comfort you. And ofcourse, God bless Japan. Peace
1
Ranger_Miffy2
Chris. "God" had zero to do with this.
0
sfjp330
Disasters are part of life, and they have naturally occurred for centuries. Although Japan disasters brought a lot of tragedy to those affected, it also brought unity to the communities that were hit hard. When a disaster strikes, it binds people together. You saw people helping one another. Complete strangers were providing water, food, and extra hands to clean up the large amount of debris left behind from the disaster that had pushed through Tohoku area. Everyone affected will always remember that day in their lives. They will recall the exact moment when the disaster struck, and remember where they were as the event unfolded. Worldwide, 2011 brought droughts, wildfires, famine, flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, snowstorms and Fukushima radiation problem.
1
NeverSubmit
How many people can name the date of the Haiti disaster off the top of their head.
And more people died in the Haiti earthquake than in the Japan disaster.
1
oberst
Japan is no more " special ' than Indonesia, Thailand, China, Turkey, Haiti, New Zealand and the list goes on and on. But that doesn't mean people don't care.
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