Smiles, laughter, sunshine, children playing, ladies chatting…..not the scenes you immediately imagine just 3 days after one of the worlds biggest earthquakes, tsunami, and ensuing nuclear instability struck Japan.
Kids play in the park.
However walking about the neighbourhood today that was exactly what I was met by. Despite the troubles and constant aftershocks people are going about their daily business with an amazing resilience. In the North of Japan things are obviously significantly different, but in and around the capital life goes on, shaken but by no means down. In a world where the media works hard to capture an ever demanding audience by sensationalising journalism by focusing on images of disaster and catastrophe, it is easy to loose track of what is also happening unreported.
A shop has plenty of vegetables in stalk (hahaha!)
Chatting to the locals in Chiba Prefecture there is a distinct air of determination, of a town determined to try their best to get things as near to normal as possible. Already work is underway to clear up the damage, the pride showing through to get the area back to its orderly best again.
Park staff smile while inspecting the grounds as a woman navigates the debris on her bicycle.
People go for hair cuts, cashiers smile at customers, friends meet over coffee, and children play as hard as the workers fixing the pavements. Whilst of course we do not underestimate the incredible loss experienced in the North of the country for which our greatest sympathies are extended. It is also important to see positive Japan, the unreported japan, the one that is filled with determination, with smiles shining through despite the hardships and a fantastic resilience to continue life apace.
Customers relax in a cafe with friends
Commuters wait for their bus into the city.
Kids playing in the schoolyard.
Construction unrelated to the earthquake continues at it’s usual, leisurely pace.
Hair is cut and curled.
A couple browses for a vacation (or quick getaway) to Hawaii.
Darrell is a native of the U.K. and has been in Japan since 2002. He consults on innovation and strategy at the 
Thanks for posting this. I’m in Tennessee, USA. After visiting 2 hours north of Tokyo last year, I developed a strong love for the country. Its been days now that I read 3 hours of Japan news everyday shocked by the devastation. Its nice to see the positive things that are happening. Japanese people are the most bright and positive people I know. Thank you.
I’m loving this series. It is tough with having to rely mostly on the media and it’s mostly negative. Yes, there’s bad things going on, but it makes me feel better that life is still going on. I’ve wanted to go to Japan for as long as I can remember and this is giving me hope that my life-long dream can still come true.
I’m hoping the best for the north as well as the res of the country and please, more of this in the upcoming days.
Doesn’t seem like life will go on in Japan when it has nuclear fallout.
@Lee: Japan survived two nuclear bombs not so very long ago. It’s not physically possible for the current reactor problems to get to that scale. It could get nasty in some areas, but life will go on.
Darrel, thanks for the reality check! I had thought that most of Japan was back to daily life, I’m glad to see pictures of it.
thanks for the great work on this reality picture report
Thank you for posting this. After grieving with Japan for the past few days, I’m warmed & relieved by this note of positivity. It’s important to know the devastation that is going on, but its even more important to know that life continues for the survivors as the world looks on. Thanks again and God bless.
Thank you for posting this. It’s nice to see that life goes on as normal and there is no panic, riots and loots (especially with all the sensationalism from global media). I have faith in the Japanese people. I believe they will soon overcome this tragedy and the areas struck by the tsunami will be more prosperous than ever.
This is fantastic to see my son is in Chiba and it’s very difficult to understand how life is over there. The picture in my head is not the one in the pictures. Thank you all I’ve seen is negative press, positive press is just as important. Thank you.