Our hearts go out to Japanese friends and colleagues
Our hearts go out to our many Japanese friends and colleagues at this difficult time. The whole world is watching these terrible unfolding events. We would like to pass on our sympathies to those who have lost friends and family, and those who continue to face daily hardships in the aftermath of this huge earthquake, the continuing strong aftershocks, the tsunami and threat of further tsunamis, and the radiation concerns from the nuclear power reactors.
Several of us at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society have visited Japan over the years. I have visited 12 times, most recently in December and have many close Japanese friends who work on whale and marine science and conservation issues from the far northern part of the country to the southernmost islands. I have watched whales in the Kuroshio off eastern Japan, not far from where the earthquake and tsunami struck with its greatest force. Yesterday I found out that Mr. Miyauchi, the enthusiastic owner of the whale watch company in Choshi who took me out that day, lost his office, the moorings for his whale watch boat, and his car in the tsunami but he and his staff and families are safe. When my friend talked to him on the phone this morning, he cried — not from personal loss but from the heavy cumulative loss of so many lives and livelihoods in his town and all the towns along the northeast coast of Japan.
From around the world, we are all deeply impressed with the strength of character of Japanese people as a caring society and we know that you will remain strong, even gain strength, in this difficult time. Japan is often the first to come to the aid of other countries and we will encourage our governments to help Japan as well. On a personal basis, too, we would like you to know that we are with you, we feel your pain, and will stay the course.
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