Our Japanese brethren have been hit with a serious quake and the resulting Tsunamis have really beaten that country to pieces today. We have some board members in Japan right? I hope they're ok. Well, I know the nation will do better than the poorer countries who have been hit with seismic activity recently, simply because of how orderly and advanced the culture and technology of Japan is. The loss of life and destruction is going to be real bad when it's fully realized, so many people live on such small areas in Japan, that millions can be effected in small geographical locations.

Gomenasai

And now with the threat of the nuclear plants over heating...

It was horrifying to see the footage. Looked like something dreamed up in a Hollywood CG lab: I haven't seen anything like that since the spate of late-'90s disaster movies.

And true, the epicenter wasn't in a major city, but having wrecked so much farmland, will there be food shortages? Japan, much like NZ, is limited in its natural resources due to its size.

None of what I'm saying expresses the sadness and horror they're enduring and we're feeling. The disaster is massive, there's no one to blame... it's just frustration and tragedy.

I always hoped to visit Japan one day. Now I have the added reason of boosting their economy by increasing tourism revenue. It's just so tough to imagine how things will work out for them in coming days and years.

The Japanese are always worried about running out of rice, so trust me, they have plenty. Every year the crops go into storehouses. The bagged rice in grocery stores is over a year old.

The Japanese people were about as prepared as they could be for an earthquake, but nothing can really stop a tsunami like this. Thankfully the Japanese have a wonderful government and all aid and money donated to them WILL go towards the cause, instead of into a politician's pocket. Not to mention they know how to work together and I think Japan will recover from this better and quicker than other disaster-stricken countries have in the past.

^^ That's at least some comfort to hear -- that they've got surplus crops in storage and that they have a gov't that won't screw around with aid funds. Also that they have the cultural aptitude to effectively work through a massive disaster (though I know it's not their first time).

I really would like to visit, to learn more about the culture. Will have to put the bug in Gareth's ear -- he's always up for travel.

Absolutely heart breaking and I dont think we've heard the worst of things yet

They had a near nuclear melt down as a result of the quake.

^^ I'm worried about possible meltdowns too. The news is worse each day.

All I can say is that the Japanese people have shown immense courage and strength throughout - kudos to them

I heard on NPR today that surprisingly some of the aid offered by other countries is being turned away. Japan does indeed have food stockpiles. This isn't like in Haiti where the government pretends it's fine. No, Japan knows how bad it is but is prepared to deal with it head-on.

My hat's off to the culture as a whole.

I can only hope that FEMA's taking notes on this as the Eastern US prepares for another hurricane season.