World bows to Japanese fortitude

COMMENTARY

Published: 16/03/2011 at 02:39 AM
Newspaper section: News

In the online version of Time magazine I read the story of 76-year-old Sendai farmer Masahira Kasamatsu, who tried to look for his daughter who worked at Sendai airport which was struck by the 10-metre-high tsunami, and I had to choke back tears.

The article described how Mr Kasamatsu, after waiting three days for news of his daughter Yoko Oosato, climbed into the car with his wife Emiko, drove along the debris-strewn road towards the airport until they ran out of gas. The couple spent a night inside the car. Then they abandoned it and waded through the water and mud in their bare feet, to get to the airport.

"I know there are so many people who are dead," Mr Kasamatsu told the Time reporter as he walked into the airport's terminal. "I know that my daughter may be just one more person among so many dead. But my deepest hope is that she is alive. That is my only prayer at this moment."

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About the author

: Writer: Atiya Achakulwisut; Position: Deputy Editor (Day)

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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 17/03/2011 at 11:59 AM6
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I just hope this oneness of Japan society can be translated to the nuclear growing problems. The IAEA should step up and be the only source of issuing statement. The various conflicting statements by the numerous countries are causing more anxieties and confusions. US talk about a 80 km evacuation zone; EU Energy say it's out of control and apocalyptic; France talk about a 6 out of 7 points on the nulcear accident scale and the Japanese say that outside the 20km zone it is no threat. Someone or some body must take charge and be responsible to issue honest and only statement. Where are you IAEA???
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prommar
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Discussion 5 : 16/03/2011 at 12:30 PM5
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These are heart breaking images.
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grass-seed
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Discussion 4 : 16/03/2011 at 08:58 AM4
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I really admire the Japanese people in trying to cope with the 3 disasters-earthquake, tsunami and now nuclear fears. Temperatures at night drop to about zero and people are living outside. They are a brave people.

Not so good the news I read ysterday about the earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand. The Chinese government has asked for extra compensation from the NZ government for its students that were killed there because of the one child policy in China. And the Philippines government has said it would sue if it is found that the building that its students died in was found not to be up to earthquake standards.

The NZ government's reply was all people would be treated the same and have access to accident compensation and of course life insurance etc which all international students must have to get a visa.
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nns
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Discussion 3 : 16/03/2011 at 07:54 AM3
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Not surprising either that we don't see or hear about problems with looting.
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bridge
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Discussion 2 : 16/03/2011 at 05:25 AM2
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beautiful commentary...thanks for that and may it help all of us to be more grateful for what we have and share with those who are not so fortunate.
life is impermanent - having this truth in mind - most of our "big problems" will turn out insignificant.
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bkkmatt
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Discussion 1 : 16/03/2011 at 04:54 AM1
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Very humbling indeed and does make you realise that "Life is too short and Precious"

Amazing to see disciplined and polite Japanese people Queuing outside supermarkets waiting to buy essential like food and water.
In Thailand and other countries I doubt you would see that politeness or discipline.
It would be every man for himself.

God Bless The Land of the Rising Sun.
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World bows to Japanese fortitude | Bangkok Post: opinion