Text bu Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Last Tuesday was the 3rd anniversary of the Fukushima disaster. Following NHK WORLD and reports from friends in Japan: the government’s efforts to fix all the problems have been insufficient and extremely slow. The people of Japan can’t figure out what the government has been doing. There are still 270,00 refugees, of whom 100,00 live in makeshift housing. The Fukushima nuclear power plant melt down can’t be stopped. Local administrations don’t know what to do. There is a lack of managing and carrying out reconstruction work. In other words: Japan is still a big mess. Who’s responsible for this? Of course, the whole country!

Text by Skye Steele

On March 11, 2011 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake shook the ocean floor off the coast of Japan, causing a Tsunami that unleashed massive destruction and a staggering death toll on coastal communities.

Among those swept away by the waters were a man named Hiromitsu Shinkawa and his wife Yuko from Minamisoma. Hiromitsu survived by clinging to the roof of their house as it was swept away. He was rescued after three days at sea. Yuko was lost.

In honor of the 3rd anniversary of the tragedy I am posting this song for the three days that Hiromitsu spent at sea.

The song “Hiromitsu & Yuko” will appear on Bitterroot News, an album of songs by Skye Steele to be released this summer.

featuring:
Skye Steele (vocals, violin, guitar)
Ilusha Tsinadze (guitar, banjo)
Liam Robinson (piano, accordion)
Dana Lyn (viola, piano)

*In writing the text of this song I relied heavily on the account of these events written by Michael Paterniti for his story in GQ magazine. I am greatly indebted to his excellent journalism.*

more info at: www.skyesteele.com