Today I had the privilege of listening to an enlightening talk by Izumi Egami, a former cabin crew member with 30 years of service at Japan Airlines (JAL). Her insights on the successful emergency evacuation of 379 passengers and crew from an aircraft deeply moved me.

While international media, including British newspapers and The New York Times, hailed this evacuation as a ‘miracle’, Ms. Egami respectfully disagreed. She asserted that this success was not a stroke of luck but the result of rigorous training and a strong commitment to passenger safety.

Ms. Egami outlined the key factors contributing to the successful evacuation:

• Bilingual panic control announcements made by the cabin crew.
• The crew’s independent decision to open emergency exits amid flames.
• Directing passengers to leave their belongings behind for a swift evacuation.

BBC highlighted a comment from a British university professor who noted, “Japan boasts an extraordinary record in transportation safety, and JAL is a global leader in safety.” The professor further observed that this incident showcases the extensive training and efficient management of evacuations by cabin crew.

JAL has experienced its share of challenges, including the world’s deadliest aircraft crash in 1985 and bankruptcy in 2010. It is presumed that these events have led to the implementation of stringent safety measures.

In the past, JAL was the most sought-after employer among female students in Japan, with their cabin crew perceived as highly attractive and aspirational figures.

Today, the veteran cabin crew members of JAL, with their exceptional professionalism and warm smiles, continue to embody the allure and grace that have long been associated with the airline.

#JapanAirlines #JAL #AviationSafety #CabinCrew #EmergencyEvacuation #Professionalism #AviationIndustry #CrisisManagement #TransportSafety #AirTravel #CustomerServiceExcellence #AviationHistory #JALCrew #SafetyFirst

In 1995, during the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake, I experienced a massive quake while in Osaka. Shops and city functions came to a halt, enveloping the streets in an unusual silence.

About a week after the quake, I saw groups of strong-looking men, carrying long poles, walking through the city. They were volunteers who had come from Tokyo and other places. I believe they took time off from their work to come to our aid in Osaka.

A German friend of mine, whose residence was completely destroyed, fortunately survived as he happened to be outside at the time. Tragically, the homeowner passed away.

Remarkably, there was no crime in the disaster area. Instead, there was a spirit of mutual assistance. We refer to this spirit of helping each other as the ‘KOBE’ spirit.

I believe the ‘KOBE’ spirit, born out of those dark days, has become embedded in the DNA of the Japanese people. It’s a spirit that continues to shine in subsequent disaster areas across Japan, symbolizing our resilience and solidarity.

#KobeSpirit #Resilience #Solidarity #Japan #HanshinEarthquake #Volunteerism #CommunitySupport #DisasterRecovery #StrengthInUnity #HelpingHands #TogetherWeStand #EmergencyResponse #HumanitarianAid #CrisisManagement #JapaneseCulture #SurvivalSpirit #Hope #Compassion #MutualSupport
#TurkishVolunteers #Volunteerism #GlobalSolidarity #HumanitarianAid #CommunitySupport #CrossCulturalHelp #InternationalAssistance #HelpingHands #UnityInCrisis #GlobalCompassion #DisasterRelief #InternationalVolunteers #HeartfeltHelp #TurkishAid #WorldwideSupport #CrisisResponse #EmergencyAid #GlobalKindness #HumanityFirst #CompassionateAction

In 1974, the anime adaptation of “Heidi, Girl of the Alps” was broadcasted weekly on Japanese television, captivating audiences with a remarkable viewership rate of 23%. This indicates that almost every young girl in Japan was tuning in to watch Heidi’s adventures at the same time.

The Japanese anime creators organized a location team to sketch scenes in Switzerland. As a result, the mountain landscapes in the anime mirrored the actual Swiss vistas, evoking a sense of familiarity for those who know the regions well in Switzerland.

Interestingly, the anime featured German songs, adding a unique touch to the cultural blend. Below, I’m sharing one of these songs from the anime, connecting cultures and hearts across borders.

#Heidi #SwissAlps #AnimeHistory #JapaneseCulture #GlobalAnimation #Nostalgia #CulturalHeritage
#HeidiAnime #JapaneseAnimation #CulturalExchange #SwitzerlandInJapan

Today, another strong earthquake with a seismic intensity of over 5 struck the Noto region in Ishikawa Prefecture. This event underlines the fact that Japan is a nation prone to natural disasters, and we all should recognize this reality.

The attached image displays a document created by the Japanese Government’s Cabinet Office. Remarkably, about 18.3% of the total global disaster damage costs are concentrated in Japan.

Due to the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, Japan has established stringent seismic standards for its buildings. These standards mandate the construction of robust structures, implying that significant disaster prevention costs are already incorporated at the building stage.

If appropriate disaster mitigation expenses were not invested during the construction phase, the actual costs of disaster damages would far exceed the current 18.3%.

For everyone involved in construction and disaster prevention in Japan, please understand the high demand for disaster resilience in Japan.

#JapanDisasterPrevention #EarthquakeReadiness #ConstructionSafety #RiskManagement #InfrastructureResilience #BuildingCodes #EngineeringExcellence #NaturalDisasterAwareness #DisasterPrevention #SeismicSafety #Japan #BuildingStandards #InfrastructureSafety