Having electric power is especially reassuring in times of emergency, but electricity is obviously a product of high-risk generation procedures.
In Tokyo, tens of thousands of people were stranded far from their homes. On Friday night, the Koshu Kaido highway that stretches west from Shinjuku teemed with people heading home at a brisk clip, some spilling off the sidewalks. I saw a couple with their small child in a stroller. There was a schoolgirl with a yellow cap and school backpack.
I also heard that many people spent the night at public facilities in downtown Tokyo.
A senior executive of the leading opposition Liberal Democratic Party offered a "political cease-fire" to the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
"You have our full cooperation," he reportedly said. "You do whatever you need to do as the party in power."
School graduation ceremonies, entrance exams and a host of various other events have been canceled or postponed.
We obviously have lessons to learn from the latest tragedy, but that can wait. Right now, the whole nation ought to put everything on hold and focus on helping people who desperately need help.
Japanese politics is a mess, and the Japanese economy is fragile. And now this--the worst earthquake in our recorded history. I felt totally helpless as I held my TV set steady while the ground heaved violently, unable to do anything except to just hold on.
We humans are so weak and helpless, and that's exactly why we all must support one another.
Our country has a long history of natural disasters. Our mettle is being tested again--now.
--The Asahi Shimbun, March 13
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