June is the rainy season here in Japan. Often it extends into mid-July as well. This year we have already had a few Typhoons bring us hard pouring rain. But the rainy season usually is four to six weeks of overcast skies and a drizzling rain that sometimes stops for a while and sometimes gets a little a stronger.
Last week I taught the children at Yashio Preschool how to sing the song “Rain, Rain go Away” in English. I often teach kids this song during spring because the words and melody are pretty simple and the meaning is pretty easy to grasp. However, this year I wonder whether or not it was the right song to sing.
This weather is depressing to say the least. However, this year we hoping that it lasts as long as possible. The reason for this is that when the weather pattern finally breaks summer begins and all that rain which the ground soaked up transfers into unbearable humidity which lasts through the middle of September during which time it life without air-conditioning can be next to impossible.
The government, the power companies and businesses have been doing all it can to prepare for the massive demand on power which is right around the corner. Residents as well have been busy preparing their homes for the inevitable. The rainy season gave us a small window of time during which the absence of the electricity generated by the downed nuclear power plants in Fukushima had less of impact. However, in a matter of days that will soon change.
There has been much progress since the earthquake/tsunami rocked Japan in March. But the road to recovery still is long.
I cannot believe I am asking this – but I really do pray that the drizzle of the rainy season lingers long into the month of July this year.
