Thurs PM Japan Update

Good news! Train lines are being restored - and some are already running into stricken areas, so desperately needed supplies are being delivered to those in need. Phone lines & power lines are being recovered, but until then, mobile stations are being provided to many of the evacuation areas, so that survivors can telephone their loved ones. Radiation leakage in the areas surrounding the nuclear reactors is preventing delivery of needed supplies, although many roads are now open. Doctors and other medical professionals are finally able to get through to help the injured and sick.

Also, heard at a base briefing tonight that Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni is participating in a mission supporting humanitarian efforts to the disaster area in Northern Japan. We have become somewhat of a staging area, with so many bases in Northern Japan affected. We greatly appreciate and are so proud of our Marines & Navy personnel sharing their professionalism, expertise and compassion with our Japanese neighbors. Our Commanding Officer reminded base citizens that here in Iwakuni, we are in NO danger of radiation (too far away & prevailing wind direction) and to please stay calm. He suggested that everyone would be wise to disregard the "sensationalism TV news" coming from US news sources, and instead obtain updated info through military sources or BBC.

On Japanese TV, I heard that another M5.8 earthquake has just struck in the same area of Northern Japan, but no damage or tsunami warning is reported at this time.

Japanese citizens (and American bases) are doing their best to reduce their power usage - businesses closing early, fewer commuter trains running, even turning off lights, so this will help reduce the blackouts that have been occurring to conserve energy. Everyone is cooperating.

As of 10 PM Thurs, confirmed death toll is over 5600, with over 9500 still unaccounted for. I know that your prayers and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I found this interesting and very comprehensive website (with current updates) which addresses ways that Japan has been impacted as a result of (what is now named) The 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and subsequent tsunami from last Friday. READ HERE!