Dear IFFEFIT members

 I'm a member of this mailing list and I engage in XAFS research in Tohoku University, in Japan.

As you know incredible earthquake and subsequent Tsunami, the scale of which has never happened for hundreds years, has attacked Japan on March 11. More than 20 thousands of peoples are killed by this disaster and even now many victims are dieing being unable to extend a helping hand.

 Furthermore Tsunmai attacked Fukusima's nuclear reactors and residents within 30 km are evacuated due to radiational contamination. Through disparate effort thousands of fuel rods are successfully cooling down well, but straggling will still continue now.

 Japan faces triple crisis; earthquake, Tsunami and nuclear disaster, which have been never happened in our history after the second World War.

Tohoku University in Sendai  has suffered incredible damage by this earthquake. Though actual damage is not clear yet, I think it takes more than decade until complete reconstruction. 
Synchrotron radiation facility of KEK Tsukuba also seems to suffer serious damage.

XAFS researchers in Japan now face to a unprecedented difficulty.

 I guess the damage of this disaster in Japan amounts total about 5 x 10^6 million US$. 

 I believe Japanese can concur this disaster in future. But we need help to save numerous victims due to earthquake,Tsunami and nuclear disasters and need to help for reconstruction.

  I wish  the colleges of XAFS in the world to notice this serious situation in Japan and I wish to appeal to other people to help Japanese.

 Thank you for your collaboration.

 

Makoto Matsuura

IMR, Tohoku University