Japanese Tsunami: YouTube Finds Girl’s Family

Finally, some good news from Japan. Akiko Kosaka, an exchange student at the University of California at Riverside, was terrified to discover that her village, Minamisanriku, was almost completely destroyed by the tsunami, with half of its 17,000 residents missing. Her little sister was confirmed safe, but the rest of her family hadn’t been heard of, and the mayor stated he had been lucky to get out alive. Kosaka feared the worst.

Then hope came from an unlikely source: YouTube. Kosaka was told that a 45 second YouTube video of her family in their home, which was the only one not destroyed, was available with a sign saying “We Are Safe”. Kosaka spent hours searching for the video until a friend sent her the link, and she was able to confirm it was her family, much to her relief.

The next step is Kosaka reaching her family to let them know she got the message, and to determine whether her family needs any help, even from an ocean away. But at least she knows her family has survived the tragedy.

Still, the humanitarian crisis is ongoing. If you’d like to help, consider donating to the Red Cross. There are thousands of families like the Kosakas, and they’re not out of the woods yet.