マンションのベランダから外を見てもあまり被害という被害は
見当たりませんでした。
ただ、電車が動いていないと会社へも行けないので
そこを確認すると、運行していました
これも、今のような遅延や運転状況はテレビしか情報源だけが頼り
時折、電車が走っていたので会社に行くことに
当時は休むってこと考えませんでした
電車が動いている以上はね
それと、家から30分あれば行ける距離なので
家の中のキッチンの割れた食器の片づけは母親に任せて
私は本棚やビデオ、工具類を片付けてから会社に行くことに
片づけが終わって、ホッとしたころにもう一度大きな揺れに
襲われました
今度は両手で本などを抑えて事なきを得ました
会社に着くと、人はまばら
自宅からそんなに離れていないのに、会社の私の机に立てていた
ペン立てや本はそのままの状態
地震がなかったかのようでした
仕事は、それぞれ電話番号を渡されて無事の確認をしてました
多くは被災されていて電車もダメなので出社はできない
でも命は大丈夫という方が大半
一部、車で会社に向かっているが、渋滞で身動きできないと連絡が
入りました。
もちろん、携帯は無いので、動かない車を降りて電話してきたんでしょう
結局、その方はその日に会社までたどり着けず
途中で引き返されました
Looking out from the apartment balcony, I couldn’t see much visible damage.
However, since I wouldn’t be able to get to work if the trains weren’t running, I checked their status. The trains were operating.
Back then, the only source of information on delays or train operations was TV. Seeing a train pass by occasionally, I decided to head to work.
At the time, the idea of staying home didn’t cross my mind. If the trains were running, there was no excuse. Besides, my workplace was only about 30 minutes away.
I left the cleanup of the broken dishes in the kitchen to my mother, while I took care of organizing the bookshelves, videos, and tools.
After finishing the cleanup and feeling relieved, another strong tremor struck.
This time, I held onto the books and items with both hands, managing to avoid any further mess.
When I arrived at the office, there were only a few people present.
Despite living not far from work, my desk, along with the pen holder and books I had left on it, was exactly as I’d left it—untouched, as if the earthquake hadn’t happened.
The task at work was to distribute phone lists and confirm everyone’s safety.
Most colleagues reported they were safe, though many were affected by the disaster and unable to commute due to train disruptions.
Some tried driving to work but got stuck in heavy traffic. They eventually contacted us, likely stepping out of their cars to find a public phone.
One such colleague never made it to the office that day and eventually decided to turn back.