I'm in Tokyo
10:33 AM March 13, 2011
It's been said that 90-percent of journalism is logistics and that's more true than ever when you're covering an international story and especially one that you haven't had time to prepare for. We couldn't catch a quick flight on Friday--a non stop or a west coast hop to Japan. So we just arrived after 27 hours of travel--hopping from Los Angeles to Chicago to Detroit and then to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. But we're here. We (producer Toni Molle, photographer Michael McGregor and myself) were held up at the airport where we were technically denied entry because we didn't have a visa to work as reporters but they understand why we're here and they quickly typed up an "appeal" and we were sent on our way.
We'll grab a few hours of sleep (it's just after 2:30 in the morning-we're 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles) and then begin our coverage on the ground here in Japan. As some of you know, my mother is Japanese and I lived here for a number of years as a boy. I speak Japanese well enough to get us from here to there. I feel close to Japan and the Japanese people so this story has meaning to me. In fact, I have family here and friends. Fortunately, they're all OK. That's obviously not the case for thousands of others and we'll do our best to tell their stories.
This will be the second time I've come to Japan to cover a major earthquake. I was here in 1995 for the Kobe quake that killed 6,400 people. The memories and emotions from that assignment are still with me. I don't know what we'll find as we begin this assignment but I will do my best to convey all of it on KTLA 5, here on my blog and on also on my Facebook page and on my Twitter account ktlafbuckley.
Posted by Frank Buckley | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
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Posted by: jaiveer56 | November 10, 2011 at 01:11 AM
what's the big @#$%'en deal. kobe and others say worst stuff then that. gay slurs and racial slurs are like profanity. they are here forever. it's called free speach. if yall sencitive people don't like it. then tough titty. BULL!@#$%! get over it.this crap is getting old.
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Posted by: College Date | September 27, 2011 at 04:30 AM
Please everyone stay safe and praying for you and your two other persons that are there with you in Japan. I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning to see your report Frank and I will catch Chris Schauble around 6:30 a.m. or so. May my Lord (Jesus Christ) keep you safe from harm.
Posted by: cubs tickets | August 30, 2011 at 03:30 AM
This article appeared in THE RAFU SHIMPO newspaper:
SHERIFF WARNS OF QUAKE-RELATED SCAMS
City News Service
With Los Angeles County firefighters in Japan assisting with the earthquake and tsunami recovery effort, Los Angeles area residents are turning out to help as well, but a warning was issued Monday by the Sheriff's department about possible criminal fraud.
The best way to help is primarily by donating cash, said Capt. Mike Parker of the Sherriff's Headquarters Bureau. Parker's suggestions include:
~ Ask for the name of the charity if a telemarketer does not provide it promptly.
~ Find out what percentage of your donations will go to the cause and verify that the charity has authorized the solicitation.
~ Do not provide credit card or bank information until you are convinced the solicitation is legitimate.
~ Ask for a receipt that says the amount donated is tax deductible.
~ Avoid cash gifts. It is best to pay by check.
More information is available by calling the Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357.
A list of nonprofit charities working with the Japanese government is available on the website of the U. S. Agency for International Developement -- www.usaid.gov
If you are interested in volunteering, go to www.CaliforniaVolunteers.org and enter your ZIP code.
Posted by: Helen | March 16, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Dear Frank,
I saw this morning that you were on your way out of Japan. I hope you and your crew made it safely.
However, I would like to add that I don't believe you, or any other reporters from local stations, had any business going over there in the first place.
None of you were able to add anything new or different to the reporting, but at the same time you DID use up precious resources in the form of water, power, food, etc.
The people who live there don't need hundred of reporters showing up there. The only people who should be going there are those trained professionals who can help dig out from that catastrophe and who are self-sustaining.
I hope you and every other reporter in the world will think twice before rushing into a situation like that again.
I'm a big fan of KTLA Morning News but I think you made a bad call on this one.
Posted by: Jerrie Foss | March 16, 2011 at 04:05 PM
hey Frank, any word on those missing trains?
be careful
Posted by: Jose | March 15, 2011 at 11:26 PM
whats up frank that was an insane desicion to make and just like Dave in Iraq i hope you are o.k. and dont allow emotion to become ptsd i am sure its all terrible to see.be safe.
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 15, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Frank, GET OUT OF THERE!!!
No story is worth the risk of nuclear contamination.
Hire a helicopter or boat and go to Korea, anyplace away from the windpath of the nuclear problems.
Remember radiation is infecting the water and food far from the nuclear plants.
Good luck!
Posted by: Fred | March 15, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Hello Mr. Buckley,
I put my comment earlier yesterday. I really wanted to do something for Japanese people there. I was thinking so hard and the idea popped up to my brain this morning. I am going to do 'Salvation Army' thing myself. I do not trust organizations that collect money but the donations never go to the victims (e.g. Red Cross according to the news).So, I am going to collect clothes and blankets etc and send them myself to those schools and civic centers directly. I know it is freezing there. I am Japanese so I can contact them to find out the addresses and see if that's okay.
Good luck in Japan and thank you for actually going there to cover the story. Usually Ameircan news is a bit delayed than that of Japanese...
Thank you,
Satomi Boge
Posted by: Satomi | March 15, 2011 at 08:34 AM
My family and I have watched you for the past few years. Always like your perspective on things. I have a whole new respect for you and your work. May you have continued blessings, you are in our prayers.
Posted by: Sacred Soup | March 14, 2011 at 05:21 PM
Dear Mr. Buckley,
I don't know if you ever receive this comment but I hope you do.
I am Japanese living in LA. My family members are in Yokohama and Shizuoka and they are fine. I have been searching for ways to volunteer or do something to help my people in Japan from Los Angeles(don't know if it's possible). However, I only find 'donation' as a way of supporting Japanese people, which is very cold for me. I do know that the donation is important and I donate as well but to me it is not enough. I called local Fire Dept and Police Dept but they told me to just donate Red Cross.
Do you happen to know if there is any other way I can help Japanese people from here? I work during weekdays and take care of 6 mo daughter but I would like to do something on weekends if there is anything. Or I can take vacation time during weekdays and help with something...
Please be careful there! Afterschocks will last for a while there and please do not get close to Fukushima nuclear plants!! Something may be leaking there. In case you get too close to get radiation, you boil 'kombu' and drink the water(according to my mom).
Anyway, good luck in Japan and I will keep searching other ways to help my people. *I signed up for twitter so I can follow you but I don't know how to use it yet.*
Thank you,
Satomi Boge
sahchan@yahoo.com
Posted by: Satomi | March 14, 2011 at 10:34 AM
We watch KTLA5 morning news everyday, and your report from Japan. Thank you very much.
We are from Japan living in Los Angeles. Any info is much appreciated.
I'm glad to hear your relatives are safe.
Posted by: kenji | March 14, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Frank - I hope you and your colleagues travel safely as you report throughout the affected areas. If you have time, it would be helpful if you could blog about where you think we Angelenos could effectively lend financial assistance in Japan. I'm helping family members living in Sendai, but want to do something more broadly.
Posted by: Michi | March 14, 2011 at 06:55 AM
Frank, Please everyone stay safe and praying for you and your two other persons that are there with you in Japan. I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning to see your report Frank and I will catch Chris Schauble around 6:30 a.m. or so. May my Lord (Jesus Christ) keep you safe from harm.
Posted by: Loraine (Lori) Roberts | March 13, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Be careful out there. Thanks for your factual and thoughtful reporting.
Let Japan know our hearts are with them.
Posted by: Suzi | March 13, 2011 at 12:07 PM
That's quite a route to Japan. Looking forward to your reports. May all in your party stay safe during your time in abroad.
Posted by: jozielee | March 13, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Dear Frank, Your old friends from 29 are praying for you and your crew. Please be safe.
Posted by: Mary Gillick | March 13, 2011 at 10:54 AM