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| "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai |
Earthquakes and tsunamis of a scale similar to the disasters that devastated Lisbon back in 1755, struck the northern islands of Japan.
The total human losses are as yet uncounted. Entire cities disappeared, infrastructures broke down inland and along the coastline, communications are disrupted, the energy lifeline affected by problems with nuclear plants. A nightmare to all those affected.
The videos on the internet and television, show an orderly population, backed by officials obviously drilled to cope with such emergencies, doing what they were expected to do. Later, they appear restrained in their grief and sure of their capacity to recover. Lessons of personal dignity and national resilience, displayed for all to see.
A thought to friends in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagasaki, across half of the planet, with the heartfelt hope that they, their families and their homes, are all well, safe and sound. Tomorrow must be a better day.
JSR
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