This is a Test, a Surreal Test
This is a test, a surreal test of your attention. It was a hot and humid last day of September when, Urayasu city held its annual Emergency Preparedness Drill. The city in conjunction with Chiba Prefecture, and the National government organized an event to inform its citizens of the facilities in what to expect in a disaster situation.
This of course takes on even deeper meanings since the March 11, 2011 earthquake that devastated Tohoku region of Japan. Outside of the Tohoku region, Urayasu suffered the worst damage mainly due to liquefaction.
The police, military, and emergency services all had set up displays, and interactive events to help the people of Urayasu. I am not sure if i found it comforting or disturbing. They say (whoever they might actually be) that Japan is does more preparation than any other country in the case of disaster strikes. There are always drills, and mock events to test the readiness of the people, and its emergency services. This is good; however, one can never fully prepare. There is always, and most likely the chance that something will go wrong. I do commend the patience of the Japanese people in response to the March 11th triple disasters. I think they did a fabulous job of coming together in the hardest hit areas.
That brings me back to this surreal event unfolding before my eyes. Seeing the water tanks that would be used, and in the case of recent events, were used. Witnessing Disney-cutesy characters of a soldier, a police officer and an emergency worker, was truthfully made my stomach turn.
In the end I am glad I went. It was surreal, a surreal test indeed.