2011/03/16＊Chihiro
『Dear Bonaparte』
Napoleon, Your Highness. You once said this:
“There are only two forces that unite men — fear and interest.“
Certainly, I think it is so.
However, Emperor Napoleon.
Those of us who value courtesy and kindness are a little bit different.
In times when our fellowmen are hurt or our friends are crying out for help, we always unite without thinking about what’s in it for us.
That’s the people of Japan.
All the more at times of disaster like now.
Right now, everyone’s looking for ways to help the country.
Everyone goes about it their own way, but all are doing their utmost best.
What, you’re saying that’s not written in your dictionary?
Then add it in there, damn you:
“The people of Japan help one another.“
But, Emperor Napoleon… nowadays foreign countries are wonderful, too.
Forgetting about things like country borders or race and aiding Japan, it makes me glad.
I reckon it’s since we all came to be born under the same blue sky on the same Earth.
…Huh? That’s not in your dictionary either?
I guess the things in 19th century France might be a little too outdated then.
Well, actually, just write this in there:
“Everyone across the Earth helps one another.“
2011/03/16＊Takuro
The last I heard from the news reports, the number of people saved is already above 9,700. Though there hasn’t been much more reports since then, that is seriously great. Everyone in our self-defense forces and rescue teams is working as hard as they possibly can. Only, the regions facing the Sea of Japan in the Tohoku area look to be getting colder tonight and they also seem to be getting power outages, so I’m very worried.
I guess it’s not good to write just about the earthquake, so one more thing.
I’m reading Haruki Murakami’s Zatsubunshuu¹. It’s the same type of book as Zou no Shoumetsu (The Elephant Vanishes) and Mekurayanagi to, Nemuru Onna (Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman). Feels smooth to the touch. His speech at the Jerusalem Awards is included, too.
Hoping for good news to be plentiful tomorrow.
¹ No official translation yet after a quick look on Wikipedia, so I’m leaving as is.
2011/03/15＊Takuro
At home, watching the news on the power plant. There’s really unsettling reports on the radioactivity levels having gotten higher, but it’s important we stay calm. Quietly waiting to hear more on where the situation goes from here.
2011/03/14＊Takuro
Good evening. This afternoon, the band were able to make contact with the last of their family members. To everyone who worried for us, thank you very much.
In addition, we had a meeting. After our talks with the four of us as well as staff, we came to the conclusion to save our strength. The time when the band and our music can be useful will surely come later. And when it does, we’ll have a great performance waiting for you.
An acquaintance of mine from Zankyo Records who was in one of the disaster areas in Iwate is worried that there isn’t enough information on the news about the essential items that people over in those areas are in need of.
So, I just wrote these down as I watched TV. I think it was Mr. Haga from Minamisanriku’s Board of Education who listed these. Of course, it’s safe to assume these aren’t limited only to Minamisanriku. Items they have a lack of at the affected areas:
- Candles and flashlights
- Blankets and oil heaters, etc, things to warm oneself up with
- Food and water
I didn’t write these down for my sake, I just wanted to put this list somewhere where at least a few more people would see it.
I’ll do what I can tomorrow as well. I have a photo shoot. Today, too, I’m praying for more lives to be saved.
2011/03/14＊Takuro
Good morning. Regardless of whether there is a scheduled power outage or not, I think I’ll try to conserve electricity anyway. 9mm will gradually resume its activities starting from today.
2011/03/13＊Takuro
Just doing my best to conserve electricity right now by having turned off the lights and TV, instead listening to the radio. Playing my acoustic guitar. Let’s avoid using candles as they can be dangerous in case of aftershocks. All kinds of news and gossip going around, but I’ll try and stay calm. Praying today, too, for happiness in the next world to those who lost their lives, and for the safety of all those at the disaster areas.
2011/03/13＊Takuro
Hello. Tokyo is nice and sunny.
I just wanted to show this tweet from my friend Seiji of the telephones. I feel the same way as him. Seiji, I don’t use twitter so forgive me for “re-tweeting” it like this on my blog. Here it is.
Those of us who can live as usual, let’s live. Let’s eat food, listen to CD’s, buy things, spend time with friends. If we’re alright, then let’s act like it! We’ll have so many chances to do just that even from now on! It’s no good if you just keep watching the news, getting all depressed. What we can do right now is to live life to its fullest.
If the people living in places that aren’t in danger are dispirited, that might result in the people in the disaster areas to lose all hope. Of course, you don’t have to force yourself to have a good time, you aren’t obligated to do anything. But there are things you can do. As for me, I’ll play my guitar.
2011/03/12＊Takuro
I was thinking about earlier when I was walking outside. The people on the streets were kind. The cars couldn’t move in the traffic at all, and yet, there was no one complaining. It was the same last night when I walked home. Even at times like these, especially at times like these, people have hope. People feel close to one another. You might think “what’s this guy on about?” for me saying this, but Japan will definitely get better. The world, too, will become a little bit better. That’s what I believe.
How music, or rather, how a rock band can help at a time like this is perhaps something not relevant right now. I’m thinking about what to do when the right time comes. Right now, the only thing I can do is hope. Hope for the situation at the power plant to somehow get resolved. For everyone at the affected areas to be alright. For separated families to be reunited. For people to be saved, even if it’s just one person more. For that moment when everyone can let out a sigh of relief to come even a little bit sooner.
2011/03/12＊Takuro
Even now, there’s people working at the power plant in Fukushima. Despite it being struck by disaster, there’s relief workers, medical workers, all kinds of people working their hardest to ensure the building’s safety. Though I understand their feelings, I’m just praying nothing worse happens there. Somehow, I’m hoping the situation would calm down.
2011/03/12＊Takuro
Though 9mm is business as usual, we canceled the rehearsal we had planned for today. Now I’m at home, unable to turn off the TV after having turned it on. I’m praying for happiness in the next world to all the many lives lost.
I walked the streets a bit today. It felt the same as always, and yet, it’s completely different.
The people still working even at a time like this… my mail got delivered to my home as usual, my trash got collected on schedule, I was able to buy my daily necessities… A sincere thank you to those people working hard.
I watched Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano’s interview which urged people to save electricity to avoid power shortage. Looking out the window, it does seem like there’s more lights off than usual. I’m doing as advised, too.
I’ve heard about an email going around that’s just pure rumors. Let’s take care not to trust any news that doesn’t clearly say the source for it.
To those of you reading this from areas more badly affected, this is all I can say, but please do your best. Please try to stay safe everyone.
