How you can help the Japanese people affected by the Earthquakes Destruction

[Nyororin]

Originally Posted by MMM

I am reading about rolling blackouts and very limited train usage along with long lines for transportation... I realize Tokyo isn't damaged like Touhoku, but it is really safe to say it is back to normal?

In terms of "damage" - yes, it`s pretty much back to normal.

The train usage is because of the *planned* blackouts, not track damage or passenger risk. They are splitting the movement of the trains between the blackout blocks so that they can keep service as regular as possible.

We have been asked to conserve electricity here also, and there were ideas passed around for doing blackouts here too that would have closed train lines, etc. (The idea was scrapped because they did the calculations and found that they would not be able to convert enough of the power on this side to that being used in eastern Japan.)
That wouldn`t have meant that things were not "pretty much back to normal" here.

There is a huge difference between being inconvenienced by planned, scheduled blackouts... And towns washed away with thousands dead. Screaming like Tokyo is now in a state of crisis is, in my opinion, a bit childish... Particularly when there are huge areas that have suffered real and serious damage. "Japan" is not back to normal, but "Tokyo" pretty much is.

ETA;
Oh, and by the way - when I said that, all lines in Tokyo were reported to be back in regular service. It was only later that they decided to close some of them for power conservation reasons.

[kouichisan]

The aftershocks still pose a serious threat to civilians and rescue workers.

Hard-hit town searches, grieves in aftermath of killer tsunami - CNN.com

Japanese Airport Surrounded by Tsunami

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

Residents Point of View

Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com

[KuwaiiAva]

Originally Posted by Anjin

Another way to help in the long term is to buy things made in Japan, great for the economy.

that is always done...I shall order more things made in japan!!

[kouichisan]

Originally Posted by KuwaiiAva

that is always done...I shall order more things made in japan!!

If people are able to finance it, you can buy Japanese stock shares and hold onto those shares... that would help the economy more.

[ryuhebi13]

Thanks @kouichisan. I'm gonna add them to what i've got already on my blog to spread the word a bit.

[kouichisan]

Originally Posted by ryuhebi13

Thanks @kouichisan. I'm gonna add them to what i've got already on my blog to spread the word a bit.

No worries, thanks for spread the word .

[ryuhebi13]

Originally Posted by kouichisan

No worries, thanks for spread the word .

No probs. It's like the very least I can do. Thanks for what you're doing too

[kouichisan]

Originally Posted by ryuhebi13

No probs. It's like the very least I can do. Thanks for what you're doing too

Ryuhebi, what's your blog? you can put in a link here so people can have a look at it... I'll add it to the initial post.

We all wish it was possible for us to go all over the world and help people ourselves, but for many of us it's not possible to. So we should support the organisations who can.

This video says it all, the view from the ground:
Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com - Chaos as quake hits

[tokusatsufan]

I doubt I'll find anything made in Japan here.

[kouichisan]

Originally Posted by tokusatsufan

I doubt I'll find anything made in Japan here.

Buy products online and have it delivered.