Cherry blossoms came early to Tokyo this year. Traditionally Japanese would have a cherry blossom viewing party (hanami) to celebrate the coming of Spring and to inaugurate the new year. But this Spring is no time for celebrating. The governor of Tokyo has made public announcements to encourage people from refraining from holding these hanami parties in Tokyo parks due to the mood of the nation after the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and power blackouts. Today also brought another 5.0 magnitude aftershock to the region.
The shadow of unresolved problems at the Fukushima #1 nuclear plant is damping everyone’s enthusiasm. Today International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Yukiya Amano on Friday warned that to return the plant to normal will take a long time and the situation is “very serious.” PRAY for those working toward solutions at the plant. Only God can change the laws of physics. PRAY that God would perform miracles and contain further radiation leakage into the environment. PRAY that people’s fears would be calmed in this crisis.