SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted April 8, 2011 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted April 8, 2011 Four weeks have now passed since the terrible events of March 11th in north east Tohoku. A few of us involved with running this site have experienced a fairly traumatic experience ourselves with the Chuetsu Earthquake in Niigata Prefecture back in 2004, so we know all too well the effects that a big earthquake and constant aftershocks can have... not just physically but also on the mind as well. It's a very stressful experience. Of course the events of March 11th were on a different scale altogther and we truly feel for the people affected by them and send out our very best wishes. The way in which Japan and it's people have coped with the difficulties they face is truly inspirational and makes me proud to live here and be part of this society. This is not to take away from the severity of the current situation, but there has also been a lot of nonsense and sensational headlines dished out by some media covering recent events. I find some of it very distasteful and at times extremely annoying. I personally know of a few people who have actually gone back to their countries - probably temporarily - not because they were scared of staying here but more to reassure their families that all was OK. Unfortunately the familes back home were being fed some at times pretty outrageous headlines and articles written by people who almost seem to revel in writing scary stories and stretching truths. How this will all affect next seasons winter scene of course remains to be seen. With the current ongoing situation over in Fukushima, I can certainly see why some people might be pausing their plans for Japan right at this moment. But I hope that once that has calmed down, people will look at the situation calmly and with some perspective, ignoring some of the garbage and consuming correct and proper information. The northern island of Hokkaido has been and remains pretty much unaffected by all of the recent events. Many places to the north-west of Tokyo region of Honshu and in more southerly regions also remained mostly unaffected. Most ski resorts that are not in the immediate area of north east Tohoku did not see any structural damage. There were power cuts immediately after, but by and large there hasn't been large scale damage in the mountains. Many resorts did indeed close before usual, but the main reason for that was an effort to save electricity. Many ski resorts are now closed for the season (and would be in any year in April) but quite a few of the usual spring ski venues remain open.... take a look at our Now daily reports to see some of those still open. Zao plans to re-open. Nozawa has even extended it's season. Just a few of the positive stories of places getting on with things. There is also a lot of snow this year and so some great spring conditions out there for those wanting to get out there and enjoy the slopes. I just wanted to say that if you are not affected by the events and are still interested, I totally encourage you to get out and have a slide down a mountain while you can in these last few weeks of the season. I'm off out there tomorrow. Some people have suggested that they would feel guilty about enjoying themselves. But as well as having fun, you would also be helping support the ski resorts and local towns economies many of which are experiencing very quiet conditions since mid-March. It's very sad to hear of stories of more and more people and businesses being affected indirectly by their customers not getting out and spending. That doesn't just apply to skiing and snowboarding of course. The economy really needs the rest of us all to get on with life as normal, while doing what we can to save electricity of course. ----- We started work on our 2011/2012 site updates before all this happened. We have some exciting plans - things are going well and plans have been unaffected.... you should be seeing those new things come autumn. We are also thinking about the ways in which we can try to clearly get across the correct message to our readers over the coming months and in the run up to next season. I really think that it is going to be very important that the right information gets out there and we will be trying to do all that we can in our position to help support Japan and our friends associated with winter sports here. If anyone has any ideas, we'd be happy to hear them. OK, so, sorry for the ramble and thanks for reading! Link to post Share on other sites
big-will 7 Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Originally Posted By: SJ-David The way in which Japan and it's people have coped with the difficulties they face is truly inspirational and makes me proud to live here and be part of this society. Totally. Link to post Share on other sites
fukdane 2 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I feel the same. Hope that Japan can recover quickly and confident that it will. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I'll be there! Will do what I can to spread the message as well. Right now it's on deaf ears though, Japan needs that nuclear situation to get better before any message can get through I reckon. Good luck all. Link to post Share on other sites
surfarthur 22 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 We had a fantastic time in Tokyo and Rusutsu in Feb, we will be back in 2012 for sure, going to head for Furano and Rusutsu to o our part for the Japanese economy (and get some powder turns too!) Link to post Share on other sites
snowbender 3 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 There have been a few items on news programs of late talking about the effect of all this on so many businesses... tourism, luxury items, not so luxury items, travel, the list goes on. I think I'm going to use it as a fine excuse to buy some things I couldn't justigy before. In the name of helping the economy Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Well said. And that sounds like a fine idea snowbender. Now, what to spend the cash on! Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Thanks for posting that David, good to have an 'update' so to speak. Things are fairly normal round here in terms of daily life but being a tourism region a lot of people are rather worried about not being able to see much into the future and how things will work out. For now, spring and summer is looking pretty bleak for them. Here's to them and that things can get on their feet again. I was up at Kagura the other day and had a fine time. Hope to get in at least a few more times. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted April 9, 2011 Author SnowJapan Admin Share Posted April 9, 2011 Thanks. I just wanted to post a few words on things in general really. As you might expect we have been hearing a lot of thoughts and opinions from a lot of different people in the last few weeks - ski resorts, hotels and people who use the site. Giving us a good idea of how people are thinking and hopefully we can use this moving forward. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Quote: I personally know of a few people who have actually gone back to their countries - probably temporarily - not because they were scared of staying here but more to reassure their families that all was OK. Friend of mine living in Tokyo basically went back because of that on an open-ended return ticket. Not back yet, latest I heard was "don't know" for his eta of returning. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 ESL companies are now frantically trying to recruit foreigners to cover escapee's positions. With the school year just away to start, there are a fair few positions empty now because people high tailed it home Link to post Share on other sites
TropicalPow 0 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Well said David. It's good to hear your thoughts and thanks again for a great site. Always good to have first hand accounts minus the bull. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 Escapees! So lots of them not actually coming back? Did they quite before escaping.... Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 thats the thing, a lot of people had just signed new contracts so the companies thought they had positions filled, but now they've scarpered there are more than a few holes to patch up Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Have they run for good? The companies must be in a bit of a bind, especially if things are not clear... Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 as far as I know they have....dunno how many places are up for grabs but I've heard a few companies complaining about it Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Well said David! It is important to consider the damage that has happened, but to also move on and rebuild. I think the Japanese have done that faster and more efficiently than anything I have seen. I no doubt will return to Japan for skiing at some point. Link to post Share on other sites
ILoveZao 8 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 I look forward to you guys continuing to help out at this difficult time. Thank you for being such a great resource and bringing Japan winter scene to the world. I am sure many people appreciate it. Link to post Share on other sites
rider69 18 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 That doesn't just apply to skiing and snowboarding of course. The economy really needs the rest of us all to get on with life as normal, while doing what we can to save electricity of course. Such a true comment! Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Are all those mad bright vending machine lights getting turned off or at least down? That in itself should save a fair bit. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 actually they are Bags...I noticed this last night when I went round to my nearest one for a can of coke Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 This can only be a good thing. Link to post Share on other sites
rider69 18 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Most vending machines have a motion sensor these days. Depending on the time and area the sensor can be adjusted. The power issue is settling down though. The main problem will come in the summer if the power plant cant bring 5 and 6 online. Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 How does the saving energy thing work? If I save now, does that help for the coming months. Or does it just help for now, so to speak? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I think its just for now......I don't imagine they have batteries big enough to store electricity long term Link to post Share on other sites
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