Social Networking and Japan

Social networking sights have been a vital source for communication and information in the days after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. In the moments after the disaster struck, Twitter was the main form of communication. Because the phone lines were blocked out, people in Japan tweeted family and friends to let them know their situation. The amount of tweets coming out of Tokyo per minute was at 1,188, according to the “Tweet-o-Meter" shown above. The West Coast of the United States found out about the quake sooner than the rest of the world because of their earthquake threats, and they used Twitter to spread the message around the world.

People have also been communicating with their leaders as well. For example, a trending topic on Twitter in Japan has been #edano_nero, which, in Japanese, means “Sleep Edano.” Yukio Edano is the Japanese Cabinet secretary, and he has been working tirelessly for his people since the earthquake and tsunami hit. Another trending topic has been #kan_okiro, which means “Wake up Kan.” Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s approval ratings had dropped before the quake, and they have not improved since.

Outside of Japan, social networking sights have also been beneficial. With trending topics on Twitter, groups and events on Facebook, and even a button on Google that can take people to links on the latest news coming out of Japan, the world has been connected in the cause of aiding Japan. These sites are updating and informing people, and offering ways for people to give relief and aid. In many different ways, social networking sights have been an important part of Japan’s recovery.