Checking in with Nobeoka, Japan
Medford’s Sister City Spared Brunt of Quake, Tsunami; Asks for Prayers, Donations
Pictured, from left to right: Doug Shoop (Rotary Club), Japanese exchange students Masaya Yano and Yuri Hiroki, Will Durney (MHS), Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, Sarah Mason (MHS), and David Keane (Rotary Club). Photo courtesy Medford Rotary.
– Allison Goldsberry
“So country estimated that ten thousands people will be killed. But do not be sad. Miyazaki have no damage so our family are safe and Japan is very strong country!! So please just pray for Japan.”
The words above were written by Masaya Yano, a young Japanese student who stayed last year with the Medford family of Will Durney, a 2010 Medford High graduate who participated in an exchange program with Medford’s Japanese Sister City, Nobeoka.
Medford signed a Sister City Declaration with Nobeoka, Japan on August 29, 1980, and since then the Rotary Club has sponsored an international student exchange so students from both countries have an opportunity to experience another culture.
On odd years, the Rotary Club sends two Medford students to Japan for two weeks, and in even years it hosts two students from Nobeoka.
The devastation in Japan caused by last week’s 8.9 earthquake and tsunami has given the Rotary Club some concerns in sending Medford students to Japan this year.
“Amid the safety concerns and emotional and financial duress the people of Japan are currently experiencing, our Rotary club will be considering all options regarding sending students to Nobeoka this fall. There are a number of factors to consider, and no determination has been made at this time. Our club will be making a decision in the near future on this issue,” said Rotary Club President Doug Shoop.
According to Shoop, Nobeoka is about 650 miles away from the earthquake and saw little impact from the disaster, but “as a nation they are in shock. We’ve also been in touch with their liaison and are expecting some more information in the days to come.”
An aide to Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, Lisa Evangelista, said she spoke to a woman who works with Nobeoka Mayor Masaharu Sudo.
“They were not affected but all of Japan is involved in trying to help with the devastation. There have been controlled power cuts around the Tokyo area, in order to conserve some power to supply to the affected areas. The quake/tsunami hit in a colder area of Japan, so the goal is to try to keep all those who have been evacuated warm and dry,” said Evangelista.
Evangelista said donations are being sought for the Japanese Red Cross and can be made via the American Red Cross. Medford is awaiting a response on whether clothes or medical supplies are needed.
While Nobeoka residents appear to be safe, they are aware of the suffering that is on-going and the impact of the quake and tsunami on the entire country.
“We are all safe even our son Shun living in Yokohama. But he is hard to move to several places or work or school, I heard. We also shed tears watching TV and listening to the radio every day,” said an email from Mrs. Kanai, one of his Nobeoka host moms.