Post Tōhoku Milestone - Soccerball Reaches Alaska

Over the weekend, news spread across the internet that Tōhoku Tsunami debris had reached Alaska. While much of this is another sad milestone, this story caught our attention and we at American Mishima were compelled to share this story with you here.

The Anchorage Daily News reported that soccerballs and other sports equipment washed ashore on Middleton Island which is lies in the Gulf of Alaska 113 miles from the mainland. To the suprise of many, the owner of this one ball has come foward to claim his lost soccerball. As reported on ABC, 16-year-old Misaki Murakami said he was “shocked” to hear his prized possession had floated more than 3,100 miles across the Pacific Ocean. He received the ball from friends when he was in the third grade, as a good luck gift before he transferred from Osabe Elementary school in Rikuzentakata, one of the cities hardest hit by the tsunami last March. On the ball, classmates signed their names in Japanese, along with the date March 2005, and the words “Misaki Murakami. Work hard!” This was washed away with the rest of his home.

As luck would have it the ball was discovered by a radar technician David Baxter whose wife happens to be Japanese who could read the kana on the ball. After quick search revealed that Osabe Elementary was located in the tsunami zone, leading Baxter to believe the balls were part of the debris that had floated across the Pacific. “I tried to get the ball back to him or his family,” Baxter told NHK News. “I just wanted to help a young man try to put his life back together.” Murakami was quoted as saying “I haven’t found any personal items since the Tsunami, so I am overwhelmed with joy. I am so grateful that somebody found it, and took the time to look up such foreign characters and words.” We at American Mishima hope more items are recovered, identified, and returned to their owners who have endured so much since the Tōhoku Triple disaster of March 2011. We ask that people continue to help in this process.

In Remembrance of 03.10.2011

It was exactly one year ago that the great earthquake of 2011 hit the Sendai region of Japan which unleashed the tsunami that swept away some 20,000 lives. It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the human tragedy from the safe distance of the United States but that being said, the numerous horrific images of people running for their lives will live on with us who witnessed the  disaster unfold on live television and in our living rooms. I often weep as I peruse through the numerous heart breaking images that have since circled the internet and beyond.  Of the many images available, we chose to repost this photo of stone statue of a mother holding a child, bundled up with knit scarves and a cap against the bitterly cold winter. The statue stands near a special altar in front of the main gate of Okawa Elementary School where 74 of the 108 students went missing after the March 11 tsunami in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Northeastern Japan.

We selected this photo by Koji Ueda because it captures a true sense of loss that we as new parents we could not even begin to imagine what devastation parents must have gone through and continue to suffer. Such heartbreak is unimaginable. We at American Mishima ask that you continue to pray and offer support for the people of Japan in remembrance of those lives lost and those who must live on.

津波の回復 Japan Six Months Later

Six months later, Japan is still recovering from the black waters that swept away lives but not the resilience of the Japanese people to carry on. Please continue to support the relief efforts for Japan.

神道 Defying the Tsunami, Otsuchi - Kozuchi Shinto Shrine Survives

It has been over a month since the Tsunami devastated the town of Otsuchi, Japan. And yet despite the catastrophic loss of human life and property, Otsuchi's Kozuchi Shinto Shrine remains beautifully intact. Set on a small hill the Kozuchi Shrine managed to survive the March 11th 2011 earthquake, raging fires from a resulting gas explosion, then the tsunami that literally wiped Otsuchi off the map leaving a sea of shattered lives and debris. Call it luck or the power of the Shinto Kami (For those not familiar with Shinto - What can best be described in Western terms as the Divine in Nature), this shrine has survived to become a place of refuge and place of prayer for those who seek favor and comfort of the Shinto Kami in hopes of finding their lost relatives and the strength to carry on. The Shrine has since become a shelter for twenty-two survivors and a focal point for those who would ring the Shrine's bell and make offerings. We at American Mishima ask you to please watch this video and continue to pray and donate to the countless victims of the multiple tragedies that have devastated Japan. ありがとう!

ビル - Kirin's Double Disaster & Recovery

By now everyone has heard of the extensive damage and loss of life from Japan's combined earthquake and tsunami disaster of March 11, 2011. As people begin to pick up the pieces new stories are slowly making their way out to the web. As one might have expected, the Kirin Brewery plant in Sendai suffered damage as the tsunami knocked over four of its fifteen brewery tanks and flooded much of it's equipment. If that was not enough, much of the stored beer kegs and bottles were carried off by the waves and strewn throughout the Miyagi Prefecture. This of course invited Kirin's second disaster in the means of all the people arriving as told from eye witness accounts and other bloggers that hundreds came by car, foot, and even bicycles to pick up what free Kirin beer they could find littering the streets of  Sendai. Now by no means are we trying to make lite of things. We just happen to love Japanese beer so we can't blame these poor thirsty people and after what all they have gone through we at American Mishima wish them all a healthy and safe かんぱい!

For the record Kirin's president Koichi Matsuzawa is said to have announced on Thursday that Kirin will resume operations at its Sendai Brewery in September. Until that time we'll continue to drink our Sapporo. かんぱい!

災害救援の努力- MLS W.O.R.K.S. Joins the Disaster Relief Effort

The International response to the Disaster Relief efforts in Japan have been huge. Earlier this week I announced that two Major League Soccer teams in the U.S. (San Jose Earthquakes and the Seattle Sounders) had joined up with the Red Cross to raise funds for the Japan relief effort. As of today, I am happy to announce that after much letter writing and appealls to our local MLS clubs for help, Major League Soccer's community outreach program MLS  W.O.R.K.S. has done the right thing and stepped up to the plate to join in on the relief efforts for the People of Japan. Domo-Arigatou Gozaimashite! I could write further in depth but rather I will provide you with the link so you can read their official press release that just came in my mail only minutes ago. Throughout this crisis, the internet has proven to be a powerful tool for good. By posting and reposting articles and appeals for help using blogs and social media such as facebook and twitter as well as individual emails to people and orginizations, the people of Japan are one step closer to rebuilding their lives and their nation that will continue to need both our love and support. If you can not donate directly please continue to participate in this global effort by spreading the word and encourage people everywhere to help. ども ありがとう ございます!

To read the full MLS Press Release please visit: MLS W.O.R.K.S. Japan Relief Campaign

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Arsenal's Ryo Miyaichi is shown here revealing his hand written message to Japan reading “I hope that as many people as possible will be saved." In a further show of unity and support for Ryo, Arsenal's players all wore black armbands in a recent FA Cup match in memory of Japan's disaster victims. This is our picture of the Day.

ばか! Sea Shepard Founder Adds Foul to Disaster.

Eco-Terrorist & Founder of the Sea Shepherd Society Paul Watson called Japan's Tsunami disaster that killed hundreds "Divine Punishment." What a serious ばかやろ! I don't care how much you value whales over human life, this is not the time to be should be so callous & cruel. It's uncalled for cold blooded hateful Anti-Japanese statements like these in the wake of such catostrophic loss of life that makes this author want to do the unconscionable and side with the Whalers!

For the record, we have never really agreed with commercial whaling but at the same time we can not endorse the pirate tactics and actions that violate international law and maritime safety endangering lives on the high seas by either the Sea Shepherds crew or it's founder Paul Watson. Regardless how you feel about the whaling debate this is not the time to be casting judgement on innocent civilians who have lost everything that have nothing to do with Japan's whaling industry. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We just think Paul Watson's opinion on the Tsunami tragedy is not only wrong but utterly inhuman. ばか!