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Kizuna: Nikkei Stories from the 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami

Secret Asian Man: Far away thoughts

Tak Toyoshima reflects on his feelings after the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan and its continuing aftermath through his comic Secret Asian Man.

I have to say that I’ve been especially touched by how people (neighbors, bank teller, school bus driver...) have been asking if I had family in Japan and if everyone was OK. It’s a nice balance to the ridiculous nastiness and public displays of ignorance.

Click to enlarge

*This comic was originally published on the Secret Asian Man blog on March 17, 2011.

© 2011 Tak Toyoshima

comic disaster earthquake Japan JPquake2011 secret asian man Tak Toyoshima

About this series

In Japanese, kizuna means strong emotional bonds.

This series shares stories about Nikkei individual and/or community reaction and perspectives on the Great Tohoku Kanto earthquake on March 11, 2011 and the resulting tsunami and other impacts—either about supporting relief efforts or how what has happened has affected them and their feeling of connection to Japan.

If you would like to share your reactions, please see the “Submit an Article” page for general submission guidelines. We welcome submissions in English, Japanese, Spanish, and/or Portuguese, and are seeking diverse stories from around the world.

We hope that these stories bring some comfort to those affected in Japan and around the world, and that this will become like a time capsule of responses and perspectives from our global Nima-kai community for the future.

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There are many organizations and relief funds established around the world providing support for Japan. Follow us on Twitter @discovernikkei for info on Nikkei relief efforts, or check the Events section. If you’re posting a Japan relief fundraising event, please add the tag “JPquake2011” to make it appear on the list of earthquake relief events.