Lawrence University student returns from Tokyo

APPLETON -  A Lawrence University student recently returned from Tokyo. She went there to visit family after the earthquake. She says the devastation she witnessed has been difficult to accept.

 “You never really imagine something that devastating happening to your home country,” said Sae Goto.

Goto took pictures in her hometown of Tokyo visiting after the earthquake hit Japan. Some of the pictures show her family cemetery in shambles, unable to withstand the powerful earthquake and aftershocks.

“I was really scared when I was back home, there were at least two after shocks about magnitude three or four every day,” said Goto.

Goto flew home to Tokyo after the earthquake hit. Even though Tokyo is about 200 miles from the earthquake's epicenter, she says the damage from the quake was evident.

“I went to a supermarket the day after I got there and almost all the shelves were empty,” said Goto. “There were a lot of signs saying "please don't stock up there's enough food" but people were scared and I don't blame them.”

On top of food shortages, Goto says escalators were shut down, and restaurants and stores were closed before dark, all in an effort to conserve energy with the damaged nuclear power plant.

“Everyone's trying their best to save energy. I spent almost the whole entire time in Japan in the living room with the whole family so we wouldn't have to turn on the lights in other rooms,” said Goto.

After a 10 day visit, she returned to Appleton, grateful to be safe, but still unnerved.

“I'm still really worried about Japan. I'm still really worried about my family,” said Goto.

But Goto says she's doing her best to stay in touch, and keeping a positive attitude that they will remain safe.