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Erica Johnson, Literature Major, Faculty of Liberal Arts
I'm a regular degree student at Sophia, but I'm an American citizen. I've spent almost 3 years in Japan so far, and for me, almost nothing has changed since the earthquake happened. I've basically been able to go about my life here just as I always have.
Although I was at home in the US on spring break when the earthquake hit, I was concerned about coming back to Japan with all the buzz going around about radiation and aftershocks. However, I feel like I made the right decision. I've read a variety of reports on the risks of being here right now, and as far as I can tell, things are pretty safe for those of us in the Tokyo area.
It's still a little bit scary every time I feel aftershocks, but they rarely happen now, and even when they do they’re very weak. I’ve gotten used to them in any case.
My family and most people at home told me I shouldn't come back to Japan, but everything I've read that has any scientific basis says that the risks for radiation and aftershocks are low, so I don't feel scared living here. In my opinion, life itself is a risk, and I'd rather take some risks and LIVE than be held back by irrational fear.
