Trip to America

For those who haven't hear yet, I'll be making a trip back home for the last half of June to take care of some business and to see family and friends. I hope to work on some more news posts when I get back and while I'm in the states, I can tell you in person some of the interesting stories from Japan.

Self Defence Force

Ever since the end of WW2, Japan has singed a non aggression treaty stating that they will not take part in any international military actions. So instead of having a regular army, they have what is called a self defense force. At times the government has been criticized for spending the money for troops like this if they will not be needed for military action. But after the big earthquake and tsunami, they showed their worth by playing an important part in the nation's recovery.

Directly following the disaster, they provided the manpower needed to search for and recover people who were lost. They also helped secure valuable property from the damaged homes and rubble. This included safes and strong boxes where people held their valuables in their own homes. In addition to that, the also collected items of great personal value such as diplomas and especially photo albums.

The self defense force medics were a great help to people who were separated from their hospitals and needed medical treatment. They also provided mobile kitchens to make food for people in evacuation shelters who had no other resources. They were even able to provide mobile shower/bath houses which were greatly appreciated by those in the areas with no running water who were not able to take a bath for two to three weeks.

Due to the severity of the emergency, self defense force members have been called out of retirement to support the recovery.