The day the Earth did not stand still

I saw a report somewhere that the Earth's axis actually moved 25cm. There are going to be lots of other statistics, most of them superlative and gruesome, to come out of the Tohoku Earthquake. I am sure Luna's family will want to help in any way we can. Practical suggestions are very welcome.

Everyone at Luna is safe, as are our families. Thank you for all the messages that have come in by phone, email, Facebook & twitter. We appreciate all your generous thoughts & prayers from all over the world.

Our thoughts, in turn, are focused further north and east, especially in the Miyagi area. We have all seen the TV images by now, and they are truly horrific. We all have friends or friends of friends who have been affected in one way or another. We all at Luna sincerely hope that loved ones are safe and sound.

Over the last 24 hours I am able to report that our YLE venues in Sendai, Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu, Yamagata & Ojiya have all managed to let us know they are OK. Shaken, and in some cases with damage, but OK. The ongoing aftershocks must be a concern.

Obviously a massive concern right now is the situation at the nuclear power station in Fukushima, and the terrifying prospect of what might already be unstoppable happening there. The very last we need is a man-made catastrophic incident there after the carnage already wrought by mother nature.

I need to thank Airi, Uta, Eleanor, Sayaka & Maya for being very brave in class (and sorry if I held your hands too tightly - I was quite afraid myself!). The problem was it was already very windy, so the initial window rattling was deceptive. We carried on with our game under the table, counting socks & noses until we made for the stairs & took mums outside; it was very cold (minus 6 or so) so we were already playing a game in our classroom when the big aftershock rocked the school again. End of class. Mums put on a brave face but we were all worried about what had just happened.

With the unpredictability of the next few days, and safety concerns paramount, we hope to keep Luna open with classes as usual. Phones are not reliable.

Text messages to oyajim@i.softbank.co.jp

Check our Luna Facebook page.

Follow Jim on Twitter @oyajimbo and the school @luna_intnl

From all of us to those less fortunate and in more danger, our hearts ate with you.