Ian’s March 18th e-mail with Video Link

March18, 2011

Many people have asked me: How, at a time like this, can you stay in Japan?

We have two choices: to become paralyzed by a fear of what may be, or to go on living and finding pleasure in Life.

It isn’t “every person for themselves” here.

Despite the current uncertainty, watch as these three women share their smiles, their laughter, their wisdom.

They have not forgotten how to be happy.

But do not mistake this for stoicism, for putting on a brave face.

Their Joy for Life will not be taken away.

The reason I can stay? It is a time like this.

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DocumentingIan

Blog
http://ianthomasash.blogspot.com/

Film
www.jakenotfinishedyet.co.uk

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Ian’s March 17th e-mail

Ian’s latest e-mail

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March 17, 2011

I suppose that it is human to panic in a situation that one doesn’t fully understand and can’t control.

Is it all hype, this talk about radiation from the nuclear power plant in Fukushima being detected in Tokyo?

Can we trust what the government is telling us, that there is “no immediate threat”?

Why is the evacuation zone recommended by the American Embassy THREE TIMES that of the evacuation zone the Japanese government is recommending for its own citizens?

I attended a private press conference at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Japan to find out. Speakers included one of the engineers who worked on the design of the safety systems at the very plant that is so dangerously out of control and an expert on the effects of radiation on the human body.

I was floored at what they had to say.

YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DocumentingIan

Blog
http://ianthomasash.blogspot.com/

Film
www.jakenotfinishedyet.co.uk

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Ian’s Video – Press Conference

This is Ian’s latest video:

He attended a press conference about the reactors. Very interesting stuff. His best yet in my opinion. Keep praying for the people in Japan.

All the best,

Ernest

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Ian’s March 16th Video – Shopping anyone?

March 16, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

In addition to the countless aftershocks, we had a fairly big earthquake last night.  What’s the difference?  Well, the earthquake we had last night was on a different fault line so it wasn’t an aftershock of the earthquake we had last Friday.  Great, just what we needed.

I do want to clarify something very important.  Compared to the people in Sendai that have been so affected by the tsunami, we, in Tokyo, have absolutely nothing to complain about.

With the nuclear reactor misbehaving, though, things are getting slightly worrisome here.

I have been thinking about some of the LUXRIES I have learned to live without.  We have been asked to conserve energy because of the short power supply, so I only use one small light at night.  I haven’t had my heating on since this whole crisis began.  I make do with whatever I find in the stores to eat.  We can live perfectly comfortably even without these things; how wasteful we have been!

And like I said, compared with the people up north, we are so fortunate!

But when I went to the LUXURY goods district of Ginza in Tokyo today, I was shocked at some of the blatant ways some corporations are wasting energy at a time we have all been asked to conserve!  I got on my soapbox and just had to name and shame the bad guys.  Here is the result:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4iZfr1_cx0

Ian x
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/DocumentingIan

Blog
http://ianthomasash.blogspot.com/

Film
www.jakenotfinishedyet.co.uk

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Ian’s Latest – March 15, 2011

March 15, 2011

 Dear Friends and Family,

 Another sleepless night due to pretty bit aftershocks found me awake at five and watching the constant news coverage of the unfolding events at the nuclear power plant. 

 I am trying to do my part:  I have had the heating off in the house day and night.  I use no lights during the day and only use one at night.  I am not buying excessive supplies.  What else can I do?

 All of my appointments and work for this week have been cancelled.  But rather than waste the day worrying in front of the TV, I decided to go out again and film.  This time I went to Hiroo, an area with a large expatriate community.  I had heard what some Japanese people in my neighbourhood were thinking yesterday: 

Let’s stick together and share our supplies

 What is on the minds of Tokyo’s foreign guests?  Have a look by pushing the link above, or by going here:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P4JZJLUENk

 Also, I will be posting my updates and videos on my newly revived blog, which you can find here:

 http://ianthomasash.blogspot.com/

 Love,

 Ian

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