Keisuke Noguchi, store manager at Himawari, said he’s deeply saddened by what happened in Japan after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck it on Friday.
“I hope Japan recovers soon,” Noguchi told the Variety.
Originally from Nagoya, Noguchi has lived on Saipan for the past 10 years.
He said although it appears it may take some time before Japan can rebuild the damaged infrastructure in Sendai and nearby districts and prefectures, including Tokyo, he is optimistic that Japan can withstand these challenges.
Miranda Manglona and her daughter Madee, who is studying at Northern Marian as College, have the same wish for Japan.
Madee, who is from Rota, went to Sendai in 2005 as an exchange student.
In 2006, the tour guides who showed them around Sendai visited Rota.
“I am deeply saddened about the devastation that we saw. I hope Japan recovers from it,” she said.
Her mother said the NMI and Japan share a long history.
The islands were administered by Japan from 1914 to 1944.
“I hope that they can recover. I also hope that they can find all those missing people. I pray for those who haven’t been found and the survivors, that they survive the tough times ahead,” Mrs. Manglona said.
In 2005, Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko made a historic visit to Saipan. It was the first trip the emperor made to a World War II battlefield abroad.
Shinya Miyamoto, who was born before the war, said he is very sad about what happened to his country.
“But I also have a very cynical opinion,” said Miyamoto who is turning 77 on April 20.
“I think this is a good wake-up call from heaven. We have been too proud and selfish [after what we have accomplished following the war],” added Miyamoto who owns an automobile factory in Tochigi prefecture.
He said he received an email from his company yesterday morning informing him that water had seeped into their factory despite its distance from Sendai.
The businessman has been residing with his family on Saipan for the past 10 years and calls the island his home.
Nuclear situation
The Fitial administration yesterday announced in a media release that CNMI government officials continue to work closely with federal counterparts in an effort to closely address widespread concerns surrounding the nuclear situation in Japan.
Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos has named key officials from local emergency response agencies to continuously monitor all communications and developments regarding the affected nuclear power plants in the areas of Japan that have experienced extensive damage as a result of the recent earthquake and tsunami, the release stated.
It added, “In accordance with the latest official updates, the local government has confirmed there are no indications of imminent threats to the Northern Mariana Islands at this time. The government would also like to ensure the general public that emergency response personnel have been duly dedicated to stay on top of this ongoing situation.”
“I want to assure the people of the commonwealth that we have fully heightened our alertness to the situation in Japan. At this time, I am urging everyone to remain calm and vigilant as we continue to follow this situation,” said Inos. “While we have received clear indications that there are no immediate threats at this point, we continue to exert efforts to ensure that we have adequate access to preparedness equipment and supplies in the event that a threat arises.”
The CNMI government is also urging the community to take guidance from official communications being disseminated through local media sources as new developments arise.
In these times, there is a tendency for an increased circulation of rumors or inconsistent information floating in the community, the administration further stated.
