Tokyo

Yes I am looking at the CNN video, and its just unbelievable. But really I believe the visible damage is limited to a few towns / small cities. You feel sorry, but the thought of 100's being swept out to sea. Just in awe at the power.

Nuclear power is going to take a hit. Being an armchair quarterback. These things depend on backup generators to keep the pumps running. And they get flooded by the waves? Reminds me of that story from Hurricane Katrina. The hospital that had backup generators, but they were on the ground floor and were flooded of course. What would be so hard about putting generators on an elevated platform, in a watertight compartment, surrounded by a concrete barracade? And also I am thinking a large water tower / uphill lake would have been useful.

Japanese live with a lot of stress. High costs, crowds, traffic, long hours, tough economy, etc. They live with the thought of this all the time. And they can't rest and say "ah well this will never happen again in my life". Its a fun place but I am glad I left. Wish my son was not stuck there.

the history of earthquake repeats itself in japan since 1914 as a massacre by earthquake was recorded in japan. even though japanese is used to get with the severe earthquake, this one is the way beyond people's imagination. however, japanese is smart and brave. they are strong and clam. they will overcome this speechless incident very well. we all pray for the family who lost their loved one. our thoughts go to japanese people as this sadness continues. viva japan.

[QUOTE=Freezone; 1132728]Well, today is another story. All hell is breaking out in Japan. Tsuanmi, fires, floods and even a possible nuclear reactor meltdown.

Looks like any mongering is out of the question for a long time as recovery may take years.

Just be glad we are not there and pray for those that are.

FZ[/QUOTE]Like everyone, I feel for my Japanese friends.

However, I don't think "mongering will be out of question for a long time". Devastation is essentielly localised in the North East coastal area. Yes, Tokyo was shaken, but nothing dramatic. And the rest of the country is safe. Men's urge will not stop because of the earhtquake. I bet that the usual pink salons etc. Are already up and running again in Tokyo. Can anyone confirm?

[QUOTE=Dreams; 1133232]Like everyone, I feel for my Japanese friends.

However, I don't think "mongering will be out of question for a long time". Devastation is essentielly localised in the North East coastal area. Yes, Tokyo was shaken, but nothing dramatic. And the rest of the country is safe. Men's urge will not stop because of the earhtquake. I bet that the usual pink salons etc. Are already up and running again in Tokyo. Can anyone confirm? [/QUOTE]Trsut you know circulation is not easy and public transport is seriously hit.

Friend of mine had to take the car to pick he up from their home (she works in Tokyo metropolitan area) as no trains were circulating. Took him 10 hrs to and back, throuigh side roads 8full of traffic) as highways and main streets were closed

[QUOTE=Dreams; 1133232]Like everyone, I feel for my Japanese friends.

However, I don't think "mongering will be out of question for a long time". Devastation is essentielly localised in the North East coastal area. Yes, Tokyo was shaken, but nothing dramatic. And the rest of the country is safe. Men's urge will not stop because of the earhtquake. I bet that the usual pink salons etc. Are already up and running again in Tokyo. Can anyone confirm? [/QUOTE]When I passed by the area near NYNY / Champs on my long walk home Friday (I managed to catch a bus from the office to Ueno Park but no connecting busses there were operational once I arrived) I could see pink salons in operation. I didn't partake though.

Hai (Yes) , The Big One. 9.0 Plus including all the 7. O+ aftershocks. When all said and done this is the big one that Japan was planning for years to survive with minimum damage.In the end it looks the JP government's response is no different than the 1994 Kobe reponse. Sorry to see this happen again but this time they can point to the "Big One." for political comfort.My prayers are with the Japanese people as time of great hardship.[QUOTE=Jambo; 1132606]I see the epicenter is off Sentai in the NE. So I am wondering if this counts for "the big one" Tokyo has been waiting for since the 1923 Great Kanto Quake (7. 9 Richter). I suppose the geologists will say "maybe, maybe not".[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Freezone; 1132728]Well, today is another story. All hell is breaking out in Japan. Tsuanmi, fires, floods and even a possible nuclear reactor meltdown.

Looks like any mongering is out of the question for a long time as recovery may take years.

Just be glad we are not there and pray for those that are.

FZ[/QUOTE]You are probably aware that there was a relatively major earthquake in New Zealand recently.

Reports suggest that there has been an upsurge in mongering business in Christchurch due to the large number of rescue workers who have moved into the area, and seek some "relief".

Well, we get the English word "bimbo" from poor working girls during the occupation.And if this article is to be believed, there were punters showing up at the pink shops right after the quake hit.[url]http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2011/03/13/earthquake-panic-stricken-customers-girls-seen-fleeing-shibuya-sex-shop/[/url]

[QUOTE=Bionicman; 1133284]Trsut you know circulation is not easy and public transport is seriously hit.

Friend of mine had to take the car to pick he up from their home (she works in Tokyo metropolitan area) as no trains were circulating. Took him 10 hrs to and back, throuigh side roads 8full of traffic) as highways and main streets were closed[/QUOTE]From the other side of the world, I can't be sure of anything, but I understood form watching NHK that public transport in Tokyo was back to almost normal after less than 24h? Is this wrong info? Even the Ginza subway line was supposingly back in the evening on Friday. I think we should not understimate the japanese people strengh and will in getting back to normal life as quickly as possible. Bless them!

[QUOTE=Dreams;1133687]From the other side of the world, I can't be sure of anything, but I understood form watching NHK that public transport in Tokyo was back to almost normal after less than 24h? Is this wrong info? Even the Ginza subway line was supposingly back in the evening on Friday. I think we should not understimate the japanese people strengh and will in getting back to normal life as quickly as possible. Bless them![/QUOTE]I agree.

And we get also contradicting information.

Probably on this side of the world we are even more emotional than those guys!

Heard "panic" stories of westerner in Osaka complaining htier government is not coming to pick them up and they have difficulties in finding a place back home.

For f* sake, they are there and they know the hell the country is in and they complain!

Ever thinking to wait as I can imagine it is a huge chaos at airports in order to handle the inevitable mess.

I also agree on the strength of the population!

Frind of mine, living north of Tokyo main concern was to report me back that at home. 24th floor, the TV monitor was still on and the trouble was a book shelf that collapsed down!

Kind of "business as usual".

If it would not be for the tsunami, (and the nuclear plant) it would really be nearly as "business as usual"!

Modern Tokyo is pretty much earthquake proof. The transport system is automatically shut down during an earthquake, but will usually recommence as soon as safety checks have been completed.

My friends there tell me the main concern is lack of electricity at some times, but I think transport has some "immunity".

[QUOTE=Aussiegaigin; 1133939]Modern Tokyo is pretty much earthquake proof. The transport system is automatically shut down during an earthquake, but will usually recommence as soon as safety checks have been completed.

My friends there tell me the main concern is lack of electricity at some times, but I think transport has some "immunity". [/QUOTE]Not really, now that the rolling blackouts are happening, the transport companies are finding spots where crossing equipment, and much worse signaling equipment is tied to Tepco's power grid instead of the railroad's power supply.

[QUOTE=Mongrinastrlnd;1133943]Not really, now that the rolling blackouts are happening, the transport companies are finding spots where crossing equipment, and much worse signaling equipment is tied to Tepco's power grid instead of the railroad's power supply.[/QUOTE]Heard the west had sold these obsolete designs to Japan? Now silent observers? Hope all goes well for japan and like the phoenix to rise again.BB

So. I will join the throng of people getting out of dodge, by flying back to UK for a couple of weeks. Am staying at a crappy hotel on the edge of kabukicho, and yesterday decided to get some much needed stress 'relief'. My first visit to Hinamaru. 40 min option.

Bloody dark in there! It took a while to get my night vision.

Very satisfying, and with perfect timing the deed was done with one minute to spare. No complaints at all. The gal let me do pretty much all I wanted (beyond FS / AF!) , and I know it seems silly to say it, but it was a real GF experience.

Just wanted to let people know about a new variation on an old scam technique. If you meet a cute, friendly Japanese girl in Motown or Wall Street who tries to pull you into a basement bar next to the Roppongi Starbucks on the main drag, beware! The girl tried to order glasses of champagne, when I asked the waitress what the price was she replied 4000 yen and I knew it was a scam and walked out. An African guy who works there tried to make me pay for sitting down at the table but when I suggested we discuss it at the police box he changed his mind.