Where were you when the lights went out?

With six nuclear reactors no longer functioning and perhaps never functioning again, TEPCO, the private power utility who provides electricity to approximately one third of Japan including nearly all of Tokyo and nearby prefectures, is faced with the impossible task of creating sufficient electricity for the power grid. At this point there is no sure plan in place for the long term solution for this overwhelming problem. To deal with this situation there have been scheduled rolling black outs in outer Tokyo and the surrounding area. Because of certain difficulties in implementing this plan into central Tokyo where we live, we have yet to experience this. This has not been the case for tens of millions of other people.

What happens is based on your area each day you have the possibility of one or two blackouts which last three hours. It’s not just a matter of the lights in the house going dim – it is also the elevators, home security systems, street lights, electric train, traffic lines, internet – everything that is powered by electricity in the area is rendered useless. You can imagine the risks and difficulties – climbing up fifteen or more flights of stairs in absolute darkness in order to get into an apartment, not being able to walk across a well-traveled street, frozen food in the freezer thawing, easy access for would be criminals – the list is long.

A friend from Urawa, a suburb just north of Tokyo, told us of an elderly neighbor in critical condition who was in an accident as she tried to walk across the street during a scheduled blackout. In fact, there have been several deaths attributed to this problem.

Fortunately, the milder spring weather has caused less electric heaters to create demand on the power grid so that blackouts can be temporarily suspended. However, Tokyo doesn’t take too long to heat up and soon air-conditioner season will begin. That will be the time of the year when the power grid will be most challenged. What will happen then remains uncertain.

As I have said repeatedly, our problems in Tokyo pale in comparison to that which those in Tohoku face. Nevertheless, increased traffic fatalities, elderly people dying in apartments without cooling systems running in the oppressive heat and humidity, increased food poisoning from food which has not properly frozen or refrigerated and the list of potential hazards goes on. Another concern is the tensions which might arise between members of the region who are forced to endure blackouts and those who will be spared.

I am grateful to God that we have been given this period of temperate weather in which to prepare for the summer heat. I do pray that this time will be used wisely. I also pray that God will continue to equip and use the church in this time to be an agent of healing and hope in this time of crisis in which we find ourselves.