Pray for Japan, then do what you can.

I haven't updated for a while, for two reasons- I've been far too worried for my friends and everyone else in Japan, and I've also been really sick. Now the situation is getting a bit better (although still worrying) and I'm recovering too, so I thought I'd make an update.

Ways you can help Japan include:

Donating to a verified charity (check within your own country about the best way to help);

Continuing to buy from businesses you support in Japan if they can still sell;

And to paraphrase Katz from Yokoso News "Save up your money to come to Japan and see how we have recovered from this disaster in the future,".


Obviously the tourism industry is going to take a huge blow with this, so when it is again safe to visit according to your country's advice, the people of Japan will be very grateful for your tourist dollar (can you tell I used to work in Tourism? LOL).

I leave you with a Namazu-e by Haruka Makita:



In Japanese mythology, the Namazu (鯰) is a giant catfish who causes earthquakes. He lives in the mud beneath the earth, and is guarded by the god Kashima who restrains the catfish with a stone. When Kashima lets his guard fall, Namazu thrashes about, causing violent earthquakes. (From Wikipedia) Namazu-e is a genre of pictures which show Namazu being restrained to prevent earthquakes. Many artists in Japan have started drawing these again to show their support for the victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.