Report from Inside Japan Post-Earthquake

When I woke up this morning, upon reading my Twitter feed, I realized tragedy was striking Japan, Hawaii, and parts of the United States mainland. It only occurred to me when I arrived at work that I had a friend residing in Japan. I checked Facebook, and was grateful to read that he was safe.

He was able to maintain internet connection and provide me some details from within Japan. While he is several hundred miles away from the epicenter of the earthquake, on the Kanazawa Peninsula, amidst our conversation his apartment was being hit by aftershocks from the massive earthquake.

In the area of the Kanazawa where he resides, damage was minimal. He admitted that fears were high, especially for other areas of Japan where they were not as fortunate.

While in a bunker-like building underground, where he works, he felt the initial earthquake as well as the numerous aftershocks both underground, and then at ground level. While he was awaiting the approval to leave his office, he experienced no less than 30 aftershocks, and they continued as we discussed the impact of the Earthquake on Japan, and the world. When he returned to his apartment, located on the 15^th story of a high rise, he found items were toppled over.

He reported that his organization's management skills were effective at evacuating the buildings in a safe and efficient manner. The only reports that he received from inside Japan, that were in English, were similar to our Emergency Broadcast Network reports. They warned of "specific dangers in these specific regions". Efforts continue throughout Japan and internationally to bring up to date news to the public.