Earthquake and tsunami strike Japan

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 - 4:25 PM CST

A massive 8.9 earthquake off the northeastern coast of Japan on Friday afternoon (Japan time), first shook and weakened buildings as far away as Tokyo, then spawned a devastating tsunami that rushed inland along coastal areas, sweeping cars, boats, homes and mountains of debris through cities and across the countryside, sparking fires and leaving, at last count, hundreds dead in its wake.

The tsunami was reported to be a 13- to 30-foot wall of water that wreaked havoc on the coastal city of Sendai as it moved inland. However, Russ Turney, AG World Missions Regional director for Asia Pacific, reports all 31 missionaries and family members in Japan are accounted for and safe. The impact on national AG churches or ministers is yet unknown.

However, according to Yoriko Yabuki, who is an AG missionary to the United States from Japan and the daughter of Dr. Yukio Funatsu, the general treasurer of the Japan Assemblies of God, it appears the Touhoku district (similar to a U.S. state) and specifically the Miyagi prefecture (similar to a U.S. county) located in northeastern Japan, was hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami.

"I've spoken to my father this morning, who lives in Tokyo," she says. "The Touhoku district has about 20 AG churches, and most all of the Miyagi prefecture had terrible damage by the tsunami. The Sendai airport (located in Miyagi) has a lot of water on the first floor, and 1,300 people are on the second floor. Narita airport (about 20 miles east of Tokyo) is also closed. The highway, local train, superexpress shinkansas (high-speed trains) are all not working now."

Yoriko Yabuki, who also co-pastors an international AG church in Springfield, Missouri, with her husband, Daisuke, says that what one needs to realize is that in Japan, mobility is based on mass transit. "People don't own cars, but travel by train." The reason this is significant is that now many people are stranded as the quake struck at 2:46 p.m. Friday (Japan time, 11:46 p.m. Thursday, CST) and access to the north is extremely limited as public transportation is now ground nearly to a halt.

However, the fear of danger is far from over. Yabuki says that according to her father, there is still great tension as to what is still to come. Tokyo is now watching for a tsunami to strike its shores along with the entire Pacific coastline of Japan. Fires are adding to the devastation as they can be found in large swaths in heavily damaged cities in the north.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey website, more than 100 earthquakes have occurred off the eastern coast of Japan, near Honshu, since March 9. Since the initial tremor, more than 20 quakes of 6.0 or greater have occurred, with a 7.1 quake following about 40 minutes after the 8.9 earthquake struck  - with additional quakes not unexpected.

"The tsunamis can come in waves," Yabuki says. "The first tsunami has struck, but they expect more to strike the coastal areas." She says that currently even the Shikoku district, which faces south, is under a tsunami warning.

"I just spoke to a missionary at the Japan Assemblies of God headquarters," Yabuki says. "She told me that a junior high school was wiped away by the tsunami, and the government has warned the entire country of the possibility of a tsunami."

Two hours before the earthquake struck, Yabuki says her father told her that he had "felt something." So, he called a pastor friend in the Miyagi district and spoke with him by phone. Since the quake, Funatsu has been unable to contact anyone in the Miyagi district.

In a message to Japan General Superintendent Makoto Hosoi, U.S. General Superintendent George O. Wood, who is also chairman of the World Assemblies of God Congress, expressed his concern and prayers for the country and the church. He also offered financial assistance through World Assemblies of God Relief and Development Agency and aid through Convoy of Hope.

Dr. Wood also has posted a five-minute video message on the AG website. In the video, Wood shares his concern for the people and church of Japan, requesting prayerful support for those suffering the effects of the earthquake and tsunami.

Reports indicate that Hawaii was also impacted by the earthquake-generated tsunami. According to one source, a surge of more than two feet of water swept inland on several of the islands, with some hotel lobbies flooding, and creating waves three to seven feet. However, at this point, only property damage has been reported with no loss of life indicated as the islands had hours to prepare.

The United States' West Coast experienced relatively no damage, but both Hawaii and the West Coast are still at risk, as experts say additional tsunami waves may still strike. At this point, however, many officials are expressing relief that damage has been minimal, if any.

The earthquake and tsunami has put Convoy of Hope on alert. According to Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope Public Relations senior director, the compassion/relief organization has been in disaster mode since 4 a.m. Friday morning.

"Right now, in the hours after the disaster, there's a lot of confusion and misinformation," Nene explains. "We're sifting through all of that and determining the accuracy of information and where we can best help. We are working with partners in Japan, trying to establish a solid means of communication. It's still dark (night time) there. We'll probably know more tomorrow . . . and how we can best be a part of meeting the needs over there."

Nene says that fortunately, Convoy of Hope had a staff member in Honolulu at the time of tsunami who was able to provide a reliable report concerning the tsunami's impact on the islands. "It seems Hawaii and the West Coast got off easier than forecast," Nene says, "except for Crescent City [California], where I've heard there's been quite a bit of damage in the harbor and several people were swept out to sea."

In major disasters, AG World Missions and Convoy of Hope make a joint nation-wide appeal for funds to AG churches. At this time, not enough information has been gathered to make that determination. But, relief at some level will be sent. So, any who desire to give at this time are encouraged to give either through AG World Missions relief or Convoy of Hope. The account name and number for AG World Missions is:  Earthquake/Tsunami Disaster (March 2011) 891167-9 (48).  To give by phone, call 1-866-470-9514. To mail in a tax-deductible gift, send it to: Assemblies of God World Missions, PO Box 2020, Springfield, MO 65802 (please put the account name and number in the memo line of the check). To give through Convoy of Hope, see the Convoy of Hope website.

Author: Dan Van Veen

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