Dear fellow readers, music lovers and collectors,

My family and I are safe. We in Tokyo had the earthquake on March 11, 2011, but the situation was NOT critical and serious. As a matter of fact, all of my LPs, 78rpms, CDs, audio component or whatever are intact, fortunately. My daughter and I was at home when the huge earthquake hits Eastern Japan. Only a few things fell onto the floor – a toaster in the kitchen, many books and cardboard boxes in my home working room, some decorating parts of Hinamatsuri dolls in the living room. Anyway we are safe.

I just can’t help sending my prayers to the people in the Tohoku region where the critical earthquake and Tsunami hit, and who have been waiting for help and spending inconvinent days at refuge.

Even in Tokyo, many people here have been facing some difficulties in everyday life since the “3.11” – scheduled blackouts, train service being reduced because of the blackouts, some people rushing to supermarkets and gas stations, various false rumors making people uncertain and anxious, etc., etc… People have been even complaining that many of Japanese TV programs and newspapers don’t provide reliable and appropriate information to us.

But we will never give up. we never forget smile, peace of mind, courage and bravery.

Do you know the famous Japanese song “Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto? The original title is 上を向いて歩こう (“Ue Wo Muite Arukou”, “I Look Up When I Walk”). We will keep looking up. We will never walk alone.

Friday, March 18, 2011
Kohji “Shaolin” Matsubayashi