Community Corner

Letters From Japan

People involved with the Toyokawa, Japan, sister city program send messages about what it's like to be in Japan during these tumultuous moments.

Connections with Cupertino’s sister city, Toyokawa, Japan, continue in the aftermath of the powerful earthquake and tsunami. Alysa Sakkas, who is active with the Toyokawa sister city program, received these messages from people involved in the program.

Barbara Nishimoto, hosted two students during the last student exchange, and whose son, Blake, was an exchange student.

Dear all,
 
Toyokawa survived the massive tsunami, we just heard from Blake's host family and everyone is fine, they were shaken but Toyokawa was not devastated as Honshu and Sendai.

Find out what's happening in Cupertinowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Toyokawa students are actually on spring break and given a lot of homework. They will be having their high school entrance ceremony on April 6 for those moving on to high school. Our Toyokawa student Mikado has been emailing us and yes, I am glad to hear the students are faring well despite the massive tsunami.

Thanks,

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Barbara Nishimoto

Shoko Takahashi is in Japan and hosted Sakkas and her husband, and also stayed with Sakkas during her visit to Cupertino.

Thank you so much, Alysa!
I and my family are safe.
It is far from Toyokawa.
But we are shocked and worry.
If it break out in Toyokawa....
We must ready baggage for emergency water,foods,wear...
TV tell us about this earthquake ALL NIGHT.
We worry about everything.
Thank you for worrying us.

Love
Shoko


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