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  1. Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami 2011-03-11

Ishinomaki 2011.04.04-06

After the earthquake had struck Tohoku on March 11th, 2011 Japan was in a very chaotic situation. Once the news of the extent of the disaster had become somewhat comprehensible the reactions of people were very different. The situation brought out best and worst in humans, from small persons to big politicians, here and abroad.
The earth continued shaking very regularly and sometimes violently keeping everybody nervous.
The situation in the north east seemed absolutely desperate. The news on TV were shocking and heartbreaking at once and gave feeling of total helplessness, even in a strong and developed country like Japan. The public transport in Tokyo was cut to save electrical energy and many companies closed down. The news on the out of control nuclear site was confusing. As a foreigner who also received advice of any kind and quality from family and friends abroad the situation was very confusing too.
Many foreigners left the country swiftly. Asian countries began to reject Japanese produce for fear of contamination.
At the same time the overwhelmed rescuers pulled corpses from the rubble and the survivors were miserable in the cold with houses destroyed and family missing or dead.
The rest of world seemed to discover the Doomsday and the German government reversed its stance on nuclear energy almost over night.
In Tokyo work started again after a week and people made brave face to the ever-worsening situation in and around Fukushima. The death of the natural disaster was estimated up to over 25,000 human lives and reports of food shortages were heard.
I had planned a week's business trip to Europe in March to the Watch and Jewelry fair in Basel, Switzerland. In view of the situation I went there for two nights to report on the situation to family and company. Then I returned to Japan with a big package of foodstuff that had been prepared by my family back home. The customs in Narita winked me through without a word. After the hysteria in Europe during the two days I was quite happy to be back in Tokyo.
My Friend Tomohiro introduced me to a group of Japanese and foreign volunteers that had already been up to Ishinomaki before and were planning to go there again the following weekend. Friday night we set off north with a small convoy of cars and trucks with reliefs that had been organised by a Christian volunteer organisation.

The forces of nature have always fascinated me but the prospect of the visit to the tsunami area made uneasy. I was not sure what to expect.
I was careful not to intrude into the personal sphere of people with my photo taking.
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  • Driving towards north in the early moring.

    Driving towards north in the early moring.

  • Getting a view of the snow in the mountains and an idea that it is still very cold up here. Sustained traffic on the only functioning traffic axis to the North, in both directions.

    Getting a view of the snow in the mountains and an idea that it is still very cold up here. Sustained traffic on the only functioning traffic axis to the North, in both directions.

  • Passing Fukushima city not really knowing what was going inside the crippled nuclear site was a strange feeling.

    Passing Fukushima city not really knowing what was going inside the crippled nuclear site was a strange feeling.

  • Warning signs about the damage to the road from the earthquake

    Warning signs about the damage to the road from the earthquake

  • A Chinook heavy duty chopper overhead indicating the diretion to where we are headed.

    A Chinook heavy duty chopper overhead indicating the diretion to where we are headed.

  • Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki after the tsunami on March 19th, 2011 (credits Google Maps)

    Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki after the tsunami on March 19th, 2011 (credits Google Maps)

  • Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki before the tsunami on April 4th, 2010 (credits Google Maps)

    Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki before the tsunami on April 4th, 2010 (credits Google Maps)

  • The Kazuminami Watanoha and Hamamatsucho wards of Ishinomakai before the tsumani on April 4th, 2010 (credits Google maps).

    The Kazuminami Watanoha and Hamamatsucho wards of Ishinomakai before the tsumani on April 4th, 2010 (credits Google maps).

  • The Kazuminami Watanoha and Hamamatsucho wards of Ishinomakai after the tsumani on march19th, 2011 (credits Google maps).

    The Kazuminami Watanoha and Hamamatsucho wards of Ishinomakai after the tsumani on march19th, 2011 (credits Google maps).

  • Crossing the brigde we sudenly see the first sings of the tsunami, the stranded boat with another one sunk in the water.

    Crossing the brigde we sudenly see the first sings of the tsunami, the stranded boat with another one sunk in the water.

  • At the frist run after leaving a tunnel the damage becomes immediately visible.

    At the frist run after leaving a tunnel the damage becomes immediately visible.

  • We pass a destroyed car with sprayed on indications to the place where the list of survivors can be consulted.

    We pass a destroyed car with sprayed on indications to the place where the list of survivors can be consulted.

  • It is not immediately clear if this rubble has been piled up by the water or by the clearing of the road.

    It is not immediately clear if this rubble has been piled up by the water or by the clearing of the road.

  • Latest with this view it dawns that we will find a scenery beyond immagination.

    Latest with this view it dawns that we will find a scenery beyond immagination.

  • Even just a few weeks only after the tsunami the wreckage is carefully marked. Here a truck with model and number plate registered on a form stuck to the windscreen.

    Even just a few weeks only after the tsunami the wreckage is carefully marked. Here a truck with model and number plate registered on a form stuck to the windscreen.

  • Wrecked cars piled against a house.

    Wrecked cars piled against a house.

  • An incomprehensible  chaos of wood, twisted metal, fallen utiliy poles, a fishing net and a smashed car. In the midlle a house perilously standing on some remaining beams.

    An incomprehensible chaos of wood, twisted metal, fallen utiliy poles, a fishing net and a smashed car. In the midlle a house perilously standing on some remaining beams.

  • The road has been cleared between piles of rubble.

    The road has been cleared between piles of rubble.

  • It just made me wonder where the people went after this if they were still allive.

    It just made me wonder where the people went after this if they were still allive.

  • More than half a kilometer from the sea just utter destruction.

    More than half a kilometer from the sea just utter destruction.

  • A building that collapsed after the groud floor stucture gave in to the pressure of water and debris.

    A building that collapsed after the groud floor stucture gave in to the pressure of water and debris.

  • A car washing station kocked out from its foundation finds itself far from the orignial place.

    A car washing station kocked out from its foundation finds itself far from the orignial place.

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    A Chinook heavy duty chopper overhead indicating the diretion to where we are headed.
    Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki after the tsunami on March 19th, 2011 (credits Google Maps)
    Minamihanmacho and Kadonowakicho wards of Ishinomaki before the tsunami on April 4th, 2010 (credits Google Maps)