Friday 11 March 2011 at 14.46. Japan was struck by an earthquake and tsunami. 17 days after the 22 February Earthquake in Christchurch. I mentioned it in the post, 'Christchurch, 10 years on', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/christchurch-10-years-on-i-was-there.html, and will repeat a bit in this one.
In the aftermath of the Christchurch Earthquake, Japan sent help to us. They were shocked and surprised by the damage of the quake.
When we saw the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on the news, we were overwhelmed. And we had a idea of what they were going through. It was too difficult to process so the TV was turned off.
The Japan Rescue Crew left Christchurch to help their people back home. New Zealand sent people over there too. I can't imagine the mental toll the crews must have been through and may still be living with now. It is not often you'll have to go through two disasters so close together. Both were also on a large scale of damage.
Some of the hardest hit people are the frontline workers. It's not only them, it's loved ones too. Their families are impacted because it's hard not to have your professional life spill into your personal one in those circumstances.
They also had a double hit - earthquake and tsunami. The station was equipped to handle one event, not two. You can't really criticize the Japanese, they are experts in earthquakes, they live with that as a consideration. So if they're struggling, you know it's bad.
I hope they have recovered better than Christchurch. There should be some progress in 10 years and they are a 1st World Country, they have or can get the resources to move forward. New Zealand is and although I haven't been back to Christchurch since I left for non-Earthquake-related reasons, I am sure there are still untouched buildings since 2011 and New Brighton still needs rebuilding and repairing.
It must be weirdly positive for the Japanese and Kiwi Crews because they went through two disasters together and it's a particular set of circumstances. Although Christchurch had earthquakes following February 22, they didn't cause the same level of damage, at least physically, than on the 22. I don't think Japan has had an earthquake and/or tsunami of that level since.
The Prime Minister of Japan in 2011 only recently stepped down. I remember the first press conference, he was so calm and just said words like 'please stay calm' and his whole demeanour just earned my respect (and admiration). When the country you're leading has been hit by two natural disasters and you can be composed, that shows some level of leadership.
The unique bond between Christchurch and Japan, New Zealand and Japan, is exactly that.
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A.M.
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