I have been reading this web site ever since my child was born 6 years ago。


I often wondered how I would feel when it is my child"s turn to register this year. Now I know - incredible stress !

I have no connection whatsoever to the popular schools. However I live within one km of a popular school.

I could have registered in phase 2B - I was asked if I wanted to join as a grassroots leader , but I declined. I could also have joined the church/ clan, which I briefly did, only to drop out as I just did not have the conviction to go thru with it.

In the end, as I did not have the conviction to join any of the
Interest groups, I relied solely on phase 2c , fervently hoping that my being within one km would be enough.

When this year’s registration started, I began to feel guilty towards my child. I should have just stayed with the interest groups, and apply via 2b.

Today, I took leave the whole day, just reading and refreshing this forum. My tablet must have been broken by now!

I want to thank everyone for making this such a great forum and for sharing. You guys are the best!

Tonight, I am going to watch my child sleep, and hug and kiss my little one. Like all parents, my child means everything to me. This is only the beginning of a life long journey of learning. It has been quite a day!

Yes, a few days after reading this, my mind is still reeling from the sadness, the poignancy of it all. This young boy has done Japan proud. He has also lost his entire family. Imagine what he must be going through and yet, he still has his dignity and proper sense of upbringing.

Japanese boy teaches lesson in sacrifice


THIS letter written by Vietnamese immigrant Ha Minh Thanh, working in Fukushima as a policeman, to a friend in Vietnam, was posted on New America Media on March 19. It is a testimonial to the strength of the Japanese spirit, and an interesting slice of life near the epicenter of Japan 's crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. It was translated by NAM editor Andrew Lam,



Brother,

How are you and your family? These last few days, everything was in chaos. When I close my eyes, I see dead bodies. When I open my eyes, I also see dead bodies.

Each one of us must work 20 hours a day, yet I wish there were 48 hours in the day, so that we could continue helping and rescuing folks.

We are without water and electricity, and food rations are near zero. We barely manage to move refugees before there are new orders to move them elsewhere.

I am currently in Fukushima , about 25 kilometers away from the nuclear power plant. I have so much to tell you that if I could write it all down, it would surely turn into a novel about human relationships and behaviors during times of crisis.

People here remain calm - their sense of dignity and proper behavior are very good - so things aren't as bad as they could be. But given another week, I can't guarantee that things won't get to a point where we can no longer provide proper protection and order. They are humans after all, and when hunger and thirst override dignity, well, they will do whatever they have to do. The government is trying to provide supplies by air, bringing in food and medicine, but it's like dropping a little salt into the ocean.

Brother, there was a really moving incident. It involves a little Japanese boy who taught an adult like me a lesson on how to behave like a human being.

Last night, I was sent to a little grammar school to help a charity organization distribute food to the refugees. It was a long line that snaked this way and that and I saw a little boy around 9 years old. He was wearing a T-shirt and a pair of shorts

It was getting very cold and the boy was at the very end of the line.I was worried that by the time his turn came there wouldn't be any food left. So I spoke to him. He said he was at school when the earthquake happened. His father worked nearby and was driving to the school. The boy was on the third floor balcony when he saw the tsunami sweep his father's car away.

I asked him about his mother. He said his house is right by the beach and that his mother and little sister probably didn't make it. He turned his head and wiped his tears when I asked about relatives.

The boy was shivering so I took off my police jacket and put it on him. That's when my bag of food ration fell out. I picked it up and gave it to him. \"When it comes to your turn, they might run out of food. So here's my portion. I already ate. Why don't you eat it?\"

The boy took my food and bowed. I thought he would eat it right away, but he didn't. He took the bag of food, went up to where the line ended and put it where all the food was waiting to be distributed.

I was shocked. I asked him why he didn't eat it and instead added it to the food pile. He answered: \"Because I see a lot more people hungrier than I am. If I put it there, then they will distribute the food equally.\"

When I heard that I turned away so that people wouldn't see me cry.

A society that can produce a 9-year-old who understands the concept of sacrifice for the greater good must be a great society, a great people.

Well, a few lines to send you and your family my warm wishes. The hours
of my shift have begun again.

Ha Minh Thanh

that was really nice of you to spare a thought for those who did not get balloted today.

thank you

hi, newbie reporting. hope everyone is well