Less Than Zero

This was a neighborhood. After removal of the ruins, there is nothing left.

We were welcomed like family members by Mr. and Mrs. Kato, the owners of the Hotel Boyo where we stayed.  They shared their friendship and hospitality with us and gave us much more than we were able to give them through our simple volunteer efforts. The Katos are heroes who survived the disaster and also saved the lives of others as they mourned the loss of the life they once knew. They lost their family home and everything in it to the tsunami and to the fire that followed. During our stay they taught us many things about the situation now in Kesennuma. 

One of the most shocking things to me was to learn that all of the people who lost their homes in the tsunami are still being forced to continue paying the loans on houses they will never see or live in again. It is understandable that the banks need to be repaid for the loans they made, however it is not within reason for them to expect these people who have lost everything—including jobs—to continue paying them. This is where we need the government of Japan to stand up and say “we will pay—we will help you to get back on your feet.” At present, there has only been a payment of 3,000,000 yen per household (approx. 39,000 US dollars) to those who have lost their homes. However, the home owners are currently paying off loans for nearly 10 times that much money.  Millions of dollars of aid has been sent to Japan from countries all over the world. Where is it now?  These people need financial help. They are currently in a situation where they have less than zero. Can’t we at least bring them up to zero where they can begin to build and have hope for a future? 

Home owners are not allowed to rebuild for 3 years, and don't even know if they will be allowed to rebuild after the 3 year waiting period. The earthquake and tsunami have cause the land to sink and erode leaving much of it still wet or covered in water when the ocean tide is high.

Some people have already committed suicide out of despair from the deep financial hole they have found themselves in. The government should go directly to the banks and pay the loans. The world wants to help the people of Kesennuma and the other devastated areas of Tohoku. Let them help! Please use the money donated to help free the victims of this terrible disaster of their outstanding loans.