A long way from home

Rebecca Cassell

Takao Konishi, left, Taichi Yokoi and Kensuke Kuroki are students at Campbellsville University. Each from a different area in Japan, they shared their concerns Monday about the recent earthquake and tsunami in their country.

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A 9.0 earthquake struck Japan on Friday, setting off a tsunami spanning the entire Pacific Basin. The earthquake triggered fires and caused severe damage to buildings, leaving 5 million households without electricity and 1 million without water.

As of Wednesday, more than 4,000 people were confirmed dead with thousands more still missing.

According to the U.S. Bureau on Consular Affairs, Miyagi Prefecture, which was nearest the epicenter of the earthquake, suffered the most severe damage.

As Japan is dealing with the aftermath of the fourth largest earthquake on record since 1900, the effects are being felt here in Taylor County.

Bill Holmes, director of international education at CU, said his Japanese students have been fortunate in that only one or two have had any issues and none have had deaths in their family.

"I don't think any had plans to return home for spring break, but, depending upon the region where they live, it may or may not have been possible."

Holmes said he can empathize with the students as he was living abroad in Ukraine when Hurricane Katrina happened.

"So I understand that some may feel a bit of helplessness in seeing the devastation from afar."

On Monday, several students were cooking Shoga-Yaki, a traditional Japanese meal with fried pork and ginger. The group of young men had stayed on campus during spring break.

Takao Konishi, who is from Kobe, Japan, has studied biology at CU for the past two and a half years.

Konishi said earthquakes aren't uncommon in Japan, so he wasn't too concerned - at first. He tried to reach his family by telephone but couldn't get through at all the first day. He was able to speak with his family the second day, as well as verify that his younger brother living in Tokyo and attending technical school was OK.

"Today was going to be his graduation," Konishi said.

Konishi remembers another earthquake when he was just 7 years old. At least 6,000 people died then.

Taichi Yokoi and Kensuke Kuroki both study business at CU.

Yokoi, from Kumamoto, has been in Campbellsville for two and a half years, while Kuroki, who is from Oita, has lived here for three years.

Both of their families are safe, though Kuroki said he has an older sister and a cousin in Tokyo, where much damage occurred.

"They are OK," he said.

All three said they have watched the news reports and are struggling with feelings of helplessness.

Calls to Taylor County's Murakami Manufacturing operations, which is headquartered in Japan, were not returned.

The United States Geological Survey updated the magnitude of the Tohoku earthquake in northern Honshu, Japan, to 9.0 from the previous estimate of 8.9.

Independently, Japanese seismologists have also updated their estimate of the earthquake's magnitude to 9.0. This magnitude places the earthquake as the largest in Japan since modern instrumental recordings began 130 years ago.

According to the American Red Cross, 370,000 people have been evacuated or displaced from their homes. Many of them have been sent to one of 2,000 shelters that have opened.

More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in Northern Japan as a result of damage to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Okumacho.

The U.S. government and the Red Cross have sent teams to aid in the recovery effort.

Those who have concerns about a specific U.S. citizen in Japan may contact the U.S. Bureau on Consular Affairs at japanemergencyusc@state.gov. Those with information that their loved ones are safe are asked to contact Bureau on Consular Affairs officials at the same address.

Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by this disaster.

Others seeking to help those affected by last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan can make a financial contribution through the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

Gifts to "Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief" with the memo "Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief" may be sent to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, P.O. Box 43433, Louisville, KY 40253-0433. Online giving is available at www.kybaptist.org/dr. Find the link under "contributions."

BBB warns of charity scams

After a major disaster like the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, many Americans want to help those impacted. Unfortunately, as with any major disaster, there are scam artists who will attempt to take advantage of those who want to help.

The Better Business Bureau offers this advice for donors to ensure their donations go to trustworthy relief efforts.

• Before donating, visit www.bbb.org/charity to research organizations.
• Don't click on any links in email solicitations for money.
• Be wary of charities that are reluctant to answer reasonable questions about their operations, finances and programs.
• Ask for written information about the charity's programs and finances such as the charity's latest annual report and financial statements.
• Ask what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions remaining once they have fully funded the disaster relief activities mentioned in solicitations.
• Don't give cash. Checks or money orders should be made out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.
• Beware of fake charities that imitate the name and style of well-known organizations in an attempt to confuse donors.
• Don't give in to excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a "runner" to pick up your contribution.
• Be wary of any charity that is inexperienced in carrying out relief efforts but is suddenly soliciting for aid in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami. Although well intentioned, they may not be able to quickly deliver aid to those in need.
• Be wary of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on describing what the charity will do to address the needs of victims and their families.
• Don't give credit card numbers or other personal information to a telephone solicitor or in response to an e-mail solicitation.
• Make sure the contribution is tax deductible: donations should be made to charitable organizations that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Go to IRS Publication 78 on the IRS' website for a current list of all organizations eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable gifts.
• For additional information when making giving decisions, or to view BBB Wise Giving Reports on charities across the nation, visit bbb.org.