Shinkansen

When there is a big earthquake, like there just was in northern Japan, many houses and buildings clapse leaving scores of people homeless. Some rural towns became isolated becuase landslides and cave-in's destroyed all the out going roads. So the Japanese Self-Defense Force, SDF, used helicopters to evacuate the small villages. And tons of rice was flown in to feed the earthquake victims. Rice. Lots of rice. Rice is everywhere. Rice patties-everywhere. Where ever there is airable land there is rice growing, even in the middle of a city.
The SDF. Japan is not allowed to have a standing army. That is why it is only a 'defense' force. Why? Becuase MacArthur wrote it into their consitition after the war. Also in there are clauses letting the US have huge bases in Japan. The US now wants to add another base to Japan so the US can defend the Asian Sphere better. What is the Asian Sphere? The US said it was India, China, Japan, Korea, and the Pacific islands and such. Now the US is saying that it includes the Middle East. Hmmm.
Anywho, the Earthquake was a decent sized one. It managed to derail a Shinkansen, the Japanese bullet train. The JR Shinkansen has been operating flawlessly since 1964(Tokyo Olympics) without any derialments or fatalities. So it was a big story. No one was hurt.
Last night was interesting. I ended up being late to meet my Japanese tutor, who is a 30 year old Japanese guy, because I was stuck behind a slow truck most of the way to Gobo. I arrived 10 minutes late to Mister Donut, where I was suppose to meet him. He was standing at the curb outside. Mr. Donut is right next to Roman City which is a small 3 story mall. Near him was a lady with her dog. I didn't pay too much attention to the lady because I was running late. I noticed she had a small dog, like the kind of dog that that dog was in Toy Story. So I met this guy outside and said hi. I kind of noticed that the lady just let her dog run around and do what ever in a busy parking lot. The next thing I hear is a loud 'Crunch' 'Crunch' like a bunch of bubble wrap being popped at the same time. I knew exactly what it was and felt a chill go through me. Following the 'Crunch' was loud screaming and crying. I hadn't even looked yet, I couldn't. I was shocked, but the guy I met thought nothing of it. We kept walking, I turned around finally and saw the lady walking from the street towards the sidewalk; and in her arms was her limp dog. As I drove out of the parking lot I saw the driver and some other people comforting the lady. It was a very sad moment.
My tutor seems nice. We really just talked about things. His English is really good. He even let me borrow some movies, bonus.