Title: 神戸新聞の7日間 Kobe Shimbun no Nanokakan
English Title: Seven Days of the Kobe Shinbun Newspaper
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2010
Episode: 01
Cast:
- 櫻井翔 Sakurai Shō
- 吹石一恵 Fukīshi Kazue
- 内藤剛志 Naitō Takashi
- 萩原聖人 Hagiwara Masato
- 田中圭 Tanaka Kei
- 小野武彦Ono Takehiko
- 山本圭 Yamamoto Kei
- 高嶋政宏Takashima Masahiro
- 堀部圭亮Horibe Keisuke
SYNOPSIS
A massive earthquake struck the southern Hyogo prefecture in Japan on 17 January 1995. The disaster known as the 'Kobe earthquake' resulted in more than 6,400 casualties and substantial damages.
The staff of the local newspaper Kobe Shimbun was determined to provide information to the residents, which is quite difficult due to the considerable damage sustained during the earthquake. In addition, the photographers of Kobe Shimbun are struggling to do their jobs of taking pictures of the suffering people because of their emotions and moral values.
The characters in the drama are based on real people and using their real names. The drama also has documentary segments such as interviews of the Kobe Shimbun staff and earthquake survivors.
REVIEW
Kobe Shimbun no Nanokakan was a really difficult drama to watch, especially because the disaster was brought about by natural causes and no one in particular can be held liable (not that disasters brought about by senseless individuals or groups are in any way less difficult to watch, of course). What I mean is that no one can actually prevent earthquakes and tsunamis, and it is actually quite impossible to accurately predict way ahead of time the occurrence of such natural disasters.
The disaster happened around fifteen years ago but looking at actual photographs and video footage made it seem like it happened just yesterday.
I admire the staff of the local newspaper for wanting to provide information and help to the people. It was obviously difficult for them to do their jobs under the circumstances but they struggled to do so because they feel that they owe it to the people to inform them of what's happening.
I don't think I'd be able to do my job under the circumstances, whether I'm part of the newspaper staff or whether I'm working somewhere else. It may sound selfish but I think I would focus instead on keeping my family safe and getting them out of the dangerous areas, if it is at all possible. I think if I'm assured about the safety and well-being of the most important people in my life, I will be in a better position to actually reach out and help other people.
I empathize with the photographers and I understand the conflict they are experiencing of wanting to take photos to archive the moment but at the same time feeling guilty of immortalizing other people's misery and suffering. When someone tries to be logical, it is easy to reason out that taking pictures of such scenarios can possibly help trying to prevent similar cases from happening in the future. But emotions are never logical and in the midst of such suffering, preserving for history's sake takes a backseat from ensuring that the victims get immediate help.
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神戸新聞の7日間 Kobe Shimbun no Nanokakan
