[Sangetsu]

It had been one week since the quake, and the full scale of the disaster is still not known. Some officials have said that the numbers of dead cannot be less than 20,000, while another went as far as saying that more than 50,000 may have died.

The aftershocks continue, though less frequent than before. I am on the 8th floor of a new building in Shinjuku working in my office, and from time to time I can feel it shaking.


Rolling blackouts are occurring throughout the city as there is a shortage of electricity. Workers are going to work hours earlier so as not to be late, and some offices are releasing staff early so workers don't become stranded should evening blackouts stop the trains from running.

People are buying as much food and supplies as they can, there are long lines at stores, and empty shelves. It is impossible to find batteries, bottled water, toilet paper, or instant ramen. Strangely enough, there seems to be p,entry of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meats. As usual, people are overreacting.

A power line has finally been established at the Fukushima nuclear plant which should allow the plant's cooling pumps to start working again. The pumps should begin operating within the next few hours. Hopefully this averts any further temperature increases at the plant, and it should help reduce the further release of radiation.