Japanese community in shock after devastation

The Japanese community in Jamaica is in shock following yesterday's disastrous 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the shore of Japan that triggered a 23-foot tsunami, which, up to press time, left 350 persons dead, 550 missing, and hundreds injured.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Yamaguchi said: "We have been closely monitoring the situation. All the teams working over there are trying to get things under control and trying to minimise the death toll."

The ambassador said there were several Jamaicans living in Japan and their status was being checked on. On a personal note, he said he had made contact with his family in Japan and it appeared everyone was accounted for.

Yamaguchi said he appreciated the many calls to the embassy expressing sympathy and support, including from Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Chairman of the Jamaica Japan Association, Phillip Samms, said this was a "very bad situation, a real devastation. However, the Japanese are a resilient people. They survived two atomic bombs and a major disaster before this."

Samms said there was not much "little Jamaica" could do other than offer its condolences, but it would be closely monitoring the situation.

Masami Harata, who came to Jamaica 10 years ago and works with Japan Caribbean Trading, said: "I couldn't believe. It was like watching a movie. I called my mother and sister and they are OK, but still shaking."

Up to yesterday evening, aftershocks were still being felt.