Japan has been rocked by a massive earthquake measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale. It struck 280 miles northeast of the capital, resulting in an ensuant tsunami, reported as up to ten meters high and moving at 160kph, slamming into the east coast a short time later, destroying coastal towns. Japan’s ministry has confirmed a number of fatalities, with the death-toll expected to rise.
The magnitude of this event cannot be understated. This was the fifth largest earthquake on record (since 1900), with ten of the subsequent aftershocks measuring stronger than the recent earthquake that caused havoc in Christchurch, New Zealand. Tokyo’s iconic Tokyo Tower is reported to be “bent at the top.”
And it’s not just Japan. A tsunami watch has been issued around the Pacific rim, with the likes of Hawaii and Australia on high-alert, braced for impact.
This is not gaming news, and we’re not going to exploit this tragic event by pretending it is. We here at the TheSixthAxis, however, would like to extend our hopes and thoughts to those effected by this calamity.
Japan didn’t invent gaming, but it’s a country synonymous with the culture. As some of you may know, I have a strong affinity with the country, and I’ve spent the last couple of hours frantically trying to reach friends in Tokyo, Kyoto and other regions. So far, everyone is safe.
I distinctly remember the quizzical looks from friends and family when, about ten years ago, I announced I was going to learn Japanese. “You’re going to learn a whole language – noted as one of the world’s most difficult to grasp – just so you can play some weird, silly games in Japanese?” one person asked. “No,” I replied, “I’m going to learn Japanese so I can speak to Japanese people.” There are 140 million of them. Japanese is the fourth most widely spoken language in the world.
I have spent time in Japan, making friends with some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Much is made about Japanese people and their mannerisms; how they show respect and care about one another, sometimes perceived by non-Japanese as silly or downright weird. The fact is: in my opinion, there is no friendlier collective of people in the world than the Japanese. There is no city like Tokyo. It physically hurt when I had to leave.
If you are a gamer and love gaming, I urge you to someday visit Japan. There’s nothing like walking down Akihabara, watching people strut about confidently in cos-play, as players of all ages talk fervently about games, play games, and live games with a zeal you won’t find anywhere else.
Gaming still has that niggling stigma of negativity in the West, and despite having ambassadors like Dara Ó Briain who champion the industry, and a British leader who has only yesterday announced (at the opening of a Special Effect centre) that the gaming industry is taking its responsibility very seriously, we – as a group – are still viewed by some as people who engage in subversive claptrap. We’re still seen as adults who “should know better.”
In Japan, gaming is not only universally accepted as a legitimate form of entertainment, it’s celebrated on multiple levels.
Which makes watching the news of what is now happening in Japan all the harder to bear. Not just because I have friends there who I know are, right now, afraid and unsure of what is going to happen next, watching as their apartments are tossed around like rag-dolls, but because I love games and I know, as a nation, the Japanese embrace our sub-culture. Hence, a strange bond of comradeliness and empathy is formed.
It’s going to be hard reporting on gaming news today. At least, I know my thoughts are going to be elsewhere. In an arcade in Koiwa, a suburb of Tokyo on the Chiba line, perhaps, with friends as we gamed, and drank, and enjoyed ourselves. Let those days return soon.
aerobes
Horrific news. I really don’t know what to say apart from I hope as many people escape the devastation as possible.
An excellent emotional and sensitive article and I’m proud of the way you can even remain coherent considering how close this clearly is to your heart.
It’s a terrible feeling knowing natural devastation is hard at work and there is not a thing humanity can do about it apart from run.
I hope as many as possible can get to safety and other nations in the wake of this can somehow prepare or retreat.
Kovacs
I’m not going to lie, I’ve been fighting back tears for most of the morning.
kjkg
Wow, well written article. Got a bit worried when I saw it, thought it was an ill timed joke, but I shouldn’t have. It’s not TSA’s or you Lee, style.
I hope your friends all prove to be safe and continue that way. Really is an awful thing to happen.
moshi
You bought a tear to my eye Kovacs,quite a moving piece.
Been up since 7 this morning glued and equally horrified at the destruction thats been unfolding. Seeing Boats bobbing around like toys is very surreal. I love all things Japanese and learning the language in preparation to visit one day so like you it has a hit hard on me.
If any country is better prepared for a earthquake it is Japan.
PoolieMike
I remember a couple of years ago when my brother, who almost never leaves the house apart from to go to work, decided he was going to go to Japan for two weeks. Was just a huge “wtf” moment. He is obsessed with Japan though. Has posters of animé girls dressed as cats on his wall.
Foxhound_Solid
I hope the man upstairs [JC] can give them a helping hand! Its absolutely terrible what is happening to them. I will visit Japan one day as its sounds amazing.
I hope they are saved from the tragedy soon…
bunimomike
He has nothing to do with this. This is a natural disaster.
Dexter17
Absolutely terrible news. I switched on Twitter this morning and was greeted by several news Tweets explaining the situation. I have just been watching some BBC news footage and the country looks devastated. It goes without saying that my thoughts are with anybody who is in the middle or has been aftected by the Quake.
It really puts things into perspective as well. This morning I was worrying about getting entries in for the LBP2 level competition, but now it all seems pretty irrelevant.
Final thought – lovely article. Certainly more tasteful coverage than other big name websites.
shields_t
It is hard to believe some of what I am watching on TV in our office, it looks absolutely devastating. Thoughts go out to those in Japan I know from working at Honda and of course everybody else effected.
stuarth51
I can only echo everyone else’s sentiments here. A very well-written, moving article, and my thoughts go out to anyone affected.
icuyesido
It’s such a tragedy. I hope everyone you know over there is ok Kovacs.
Kovacs
Thanks. So far everyone is accounted for. Apart from Takeya, but he’s a drunk. He’s probably unconscious under a hostess girl somewhere in Kabukicho.
I’m not that worried about him.
:)
Crazy_Del
Been reading that devasting news on the MSN page and heard folk talking about it here at work. It’s very frightning! Christchurch has been hit hard recently.
My thoughts are with everyone affected by this.
Thank you for taking the time TSA and Kovacs for the writing. Very emotional and heartfelt and yes it is very hard to focus on gaming as Japan are the best when it comes to their gaming and crazy ideas. I might leave a comment on my PS3 about this devasting news. Also been wanting to go to Japan for a week or two and someday we will.