SEBA & I ARE SAFE IN LA. ANIME MATSURI, TOKYO PLANS CHANGING. PRAY FOR JAPAN ART FUNDRAISER TO HELP SENDAI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS, MAR 19.
Crisis mode. If you’ve been following my Twitter, you’ll have seen my tweets about the devastating post-earthquake situation in Japan.
My Tokyo friends are having trouble flying out. Trains to Narita airport have stopped running and many flights were cancelled. Thankfully, Sebastiano got on a flight from Haneda to Los Angeles, and is here (shaken but safe). We’re in LA for the next 1-2 weeks, and are doing everything possible to help Japan. (How can we even think of anything else?)
UPDATE: Sorry if people don’t agree with us, but our position is unchanged – we think people should be more concerned about radiation and general instability in areas near Fukushima. We’re still going to do our best to help people get away from nearby areas, and have a ton of fundraisers planned in next few days.
Unfortunately, the Sendai crisis has shifted many of my upcoming plans. Please read:
† I am so sorry, but I cannot make it to Anime Matsuri in Houston, Texas next weekend. I was looking forward to meeting so many of you… Happily, the h.NAOTO Sixh and Hangry & Angry fashion shows are still on, and I urge you to attend and support.
† My Japan plans are also up in the air. The NOH8 Campaign, Belgian TV, and German TV crews are waiting at least a few more days to gauge the situation. I hope I can be in Tokyo by late March, but right now, everything’s on standby.
Seba and I worry about our friends in Japan. Sure, Tokyo is nowhere as badly hit as the epicenter (the footage is devastating). But there are blackouts, train stoppages, constant aftershocks — it’s stressful. And sure, a lot of Western media is exaggerating information about a nuclear meltdown. But the fact is, there is a 70% probability of a 7.0+ quake in the next few days.
The situation’s still not easy to assess. There’s no need to panic, but we hope people will at least consider going elsewhere for a little while… All we’re saying is, keep options open and stay safe. (Not everyone will agree, but that’s our take on things.)
What can those outside Japan do? Donate and take action. La Carmina and Sebastiano will be sponsoring many charity events in LA , for the people of Japan — especially the hardest-hit regions. This weekend, we encourage you to participate in the #PrayForJapan Art Fundraiser Exhibition.
The event is organized by Sweet Streets in response to the earthquake in Japan. 100% of art sales will be donated to the Red Cross (you can also or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10). The artists who have donated works include Camilla d’Errico and Tokidoki. LA friends, we hope you’ll join us!
WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 7-10pm
WHERE: JapanLA, 7320 1/2 Melrose Ave at North Fuller, Los Angeles, CA
OPEN CALL: The event is accepting art submissions. Email the curator, Caro, at info@sweetstreetsla.com for details.
No matter where you are located, there are tons of ways to help. The Huffington Post has a great article about the many ways to aid earthquake and tsunami relief efforts.
Your favorite J-Goths and J-rockers are doing their part to help. Gackt (who I saw perform in 2009) has organized the Show Your Heart foundation to collect donations for the victims. Supporters include Shinya (from LUNA SEA), Fujiwara Norika, DAIGO (from BREAKERZ), and Haruna Ai. Yoshiki of X Japan also donated his crystal piano for auction.
† For the next week, music label HearJapan will donate 50% of all sales to the Japan relief effort. Pick up a digital album here.
† Starwave Records and Darkest Labyrinth will contribute part of the income from their online shop to Gackt’s Show Your Heart foundation between March 13 and April 30.
† The tsunami destroyed the hometown of Takuya Angel’s mother. The cyber designer is having a 20% off sale, and all proceeds will be donated.
Please share this post and consider the ways we can all help Japan. If you’re in Los Angeles, we hope to see you this Saturday night at the art fundraiser. As always, more updates to come here and on Twitter.
Japanese Word of the Day: Uranaishi = Fortune telling, or the earthquake warning beep that goes off on cell phones
Song of the Day: Odd Dimension – The Ecstasy of Hopes (Powerful track.)
SHARE & COMMENT
SHOULD FOREIGNERS LEAVE JAPAN? NUCLEAR RADIATION DANGERS, AIRPORT & FLIGHT PROBLEMS: JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI.
Day two. The earthquake’s devastation is worse than expected. Aftershocks, rising death tolls, mixed messages from the media.
Foreigners in Japan are asking: should they stay or go? In our new video, I discuss the frantic situation with Sebastiano Serafini, who made it through the 9.0 earthquake.
Right now, Tokyo seems stable. But the possibilities are totally unclear. In the worst case scenario, there could be radiation fallout, another large quake, chemical rain… At best, residents have to deal with blackouts and water problems, and be ready to evacuate.
Many people are thinking it’s best to get away from the epicenter for a little while. Embassies are urging foreigners to go home, and some of our friends have already gone.
In the interview, Sebastiano says that by going now, he’s freeing up a seat for someone who needs to urgently leave later. Second, he says foreigners have family abroad who are worried sick, and would feel better if they left Japan for a bit.
In the previous video, Seba was smiling reassure his mom, who found out about the earthquake on her birthday. He says, “Like in the film Life is Beautiful, a smile and positive outlook helps anyone get through the worst of situations.”
Of course, not everyone in Japan has the luxury of leaving. Seba talks about airport closures and troubles getting tickets. We suggest that you contact a foreign travel agent if you’re looking to fly out of Japan.
Please watch the debate video above and on YouTube. Have any of your native or foreign friends left Japan? Do you think the situation is truly dangerous, or overblown?
PS: the earthquake aftermath has caused a LOT of upheavals in my plans. My priority is making sure my friends are safe, and helping the crisis to the best of my ability. More updates soon on my blog, Facebook and Twitter (I update constantly).
UPDATE: Situation in Japan is bad. My foreigner friends are trying to leave immediately. Please consider flying out… We’re all doing our best to help everyone gets safe, and will continue to do so.
SECOND UPDATE: Sebastiano is heading to LA and I’m meeting him. We’re putting ALL our effort into helping Japan once we’re there!
Listen, I don’t know how the situation will unfold in Japan. Could be totally fine, or nuclear issues and a second big quake (7.0 predicted). I think it’s best to be safe….
Keep cool, but please consider getting to somewhere outside potential danger zone.
LA CARMINA
