Update (3:20am EST on Monday, March 14): A number of people commenting on here in the last day or so have confirmed that everything is OK in Okinawa — it didn’t get hit very hard. Thanks to all the people sharing info in the comments below! Okinawa, Japan is home to 14 large U.S. military bases. With news of the massive earthquake in Japan and resulting tsunami, many U.S. citizens are legitimately concerned about their relatives in Okinawa. The good news: Okinawa seems to be far enough away from the earthquake that it is hardly being affected by the tsunami. Here’s an update from someone living there:
Okinawa island is hours away, by plane, from where all the damage has been done. If you hear anything about Taiwan getting hit, I’m closer to that island than I am to mainland Japan. So far, the worst of the tsunami has passed. It was something like 20 centimeters (8 inches) from what I’ve gathered. Please don’t worry about me. I can handle worse things than that. I’m a married man ! For maps and the latest news on the situation in and around Japan, GOOGLE CRISIS RESPONSE seems to be the place to go for maps, locations and accurate updates. The folks up in Sendai are the ones we all need to be concerned about and I hope everyone helps them make a speedy recovery.
Reportedly, things still look pretty much like in the photo below there. 
Nonetheless, precautions are being taken. “Marine Corps Bases Japan has activated its Base Emergency Operations Center to monitor the situation and coordinate Marine Corps actions. MCBJ has evacuated residents living in low-lying areas on Camp Foster, lower Camp Lester, and Camp Kinser to an elevation of at least 30 feet/10 meters as a precautionary measure,” DVIDS reporting from Okinawa reports. “We will continue to monitor the tsunami, coordinate with other U.S. forces on Okinawa, and take action to ensure the safety of military personnel, family members, civilian employees and contractors.” Looks good. So, if you are one of the many Americans who have family, no worries for now. Photos via buck82 & N.kimy More on the tsunami effects in Hawaii and Japan.
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Zachary Shahan
If you couldn't guess, I spend most of my time on CleanTechnica and Planetsave. I'm the director/editor of both sites and am a little obsessed with them and the topics they cover. I'm also Publishing Services Manager at Important Media, which means that I do everything I can to support other Important Media writers, editors, and directors (as well as the network as a whole) in the good work they are engaged in. You can also find my work on Scientific American, Reuters, Change.org, most of the sites in the Important Media network, & many other places. For more, or to connect, go to: zacharyshahan.com
114 Responses to Okinawa, Japan Not Considerably Affected by Japan Earthquake & Tsunami
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I saw some footage of the tsumami and i hope they r ok
[...] Okinawa, Japan Not Considerably Affected by Japan Earthquake & Tsunami [...]
I hope all is ok there. I spent a year there in the early 80′s and it is the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life. The people are very nice and very friendly.
I am so happy to hear that everyone in Okinawa is OK and the Island has not been damaged. I was there with my X from 85-89. That was the most beautiful place in this world I had ever seen. God Bless You All and the Island Folks.
My son and daughter in law arrived in Okinawa on the 14th and phoned us Moms but neither of us have heard from them since. They are expecting their first baby in May so we are a little concerned with all this radiation news, even though we know they are 1500 miles away from it. We knew it would take awhile for them to get communications set up, but now that I found this sight, I have to ask, has anyone met Chris & Amber Rose??? He’s DOD, going to work for FISC.
Thanks/OnOn
My brother plans on visiting Okinawa on the 23rd of March to visit his son (trip was planned before all this happened). Wondering if he should still go and if so will he be ok getting in.
Thanks for any help you can give me
God bless
I am currently living in Okinawa with my 11 mo old daughter (we are Air Force and my husband is deployed to Afghanistan). Everyone in Okinawa is FINE
I promise you. When the earthquake and tsunami hit mainland Japan I was at a local park with my daughter and the day went on as usual in Okinawa, except for a few hours where we were under a tsunami warning. When the wave came, it was only a few feet tall and no damage was done to any of the coastal areas.
We were also advised today that there is no need to take precautionary measures for radiation. So relax and have faith that your loved ones are doing well!
Thank You for the thorough update! So relieved that the initial information I got on this and so many people were relying on was correct!
&, of course, so happy that you all (at least) are safe.
Okinawa wasnt really hit at all by the Tsunami. My husband is in the USMC and stationed on Camp Courtney. My 4month old son and I are also here with him. Cell phones did go down for a little while after the quake initially hit, but were back up within about an hour. We were under a tsunami warning for about 24 hours, but that has all been lifted now. We are really far away from the areas on mainland being affected by the nuclear reactors also. To put it in perspective it would be like a nuclear reactor melting down in upstate and the government requiring Tampa Florida to evacuate. Dont worry!!! WE’RE ALL OK IN OKINAWA
Zachary, I am glad to here you are alright.There is an Okinawan performer that I like to watch named Rimi Natsukawa.Do you have any word if her and her family is ok.Thanks
It seems that everyone there is fine. They got a slightly larger wave than normal that caused no damage
PLEASE CAN ANYONE TELL US ABOUT OUR MARINES 2/23 ON CAMP SCHWAB ?????? WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM SINCE 2 HRS. BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE ????? (NO CELL PHONE CALLS OR CELL TEXTS OR FACE BOOK ) PLEASE ~PLEASE LET US WIVES KNOW IF THEY ARE ALRIGHT ????????
My son-in-law is stationed at Camp Schwab. He and his family say everything is fine. I have spoken with them via phone and facebook. I hope you have heard from them by now.
Thanks for another positive update!
My son Jorge is in the Marines and would like to hear how he is doing. Just need to know that they are okay
We were able to text our grandson Lance Cpl. Michael T. Wagner in Okinawa right after the Earthquake/Tsunami but since then we have not been able to reach him. We would all feel a little more at ease if we could get a text from him.
Our prayers are for all the troops helping with this disaster and the people of Japan.
It seems, from the comments below, he is most likely completely OK and is just helping out others in Japan (but hope you can get a text soon)
Thanks so much for replying so quickly. We just got a text from Michael. God bless you for all your efforts!
Awesome! Good news
Wondering if Okinawa resident Ken Fitch and family are ok after earthquake……..
They most likely are, according to the comments below, Okinawa was hardly impacted. But try Google’s person finder — may help you out.
have a brother la reed & family who live in okinawa own chubby’s bbq look him up plz
Trying to get in touch with son, Major Casmer Ratkowiak, USMC, glad to hear that base is okay, wondering whether he is involved in search and rescue, and otherwise okay, cant reach him by cell phone
Thank you SO much for letting everyone know this information. My (pregnant) best friend of fourteen years, her two little boys, and her Navy husband are currently living in Okinawa. Thank goodness she called me yesterday morning, I’ve been freaking out for the past few days. My thoughts are with EVERYONE who has been affected by this terrible tragedy.
Looking for anyone who knows Jason (JAY) Smith. He is in the air force and is stationed in Okinawa. I was hoping that someone my know him and be able to tell me if he is ok. Thanks.
try the Google person finder, perhaps… & of course, would be great if someone on here could tell you
Thank you for the good news. My stepson is stationed in okinawa, his father is in pachuca mx and frantic about his sons safety. Fortunatly we got an email from him him this morning.
thanks again for the positive news! Keep safe!
H S
I have a son that is a Marine stationed in Okinawa but at this time is deployed to Afghanistan…so glad everyone is ok in Okinawa. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that were affected by the earthquake.
is there any native animals that have been efeected i need to no thanks
umm help plese i need to know for my research is there any animals that have been effected due to this in japan? i need to know thanks in the next five minutes cheers.x
i hv a friend stay in okinawa, Rehana Yahya Drabick & family…hope u all are fine…
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Thank you for your post. My husband is a Marine. We lived in Okinawa for 7 years and made great friends among other military, missionaries,etc, and local residents.
God bless the Calvary Chapel Okinawa family and all others affected by these conditions.
My prayers are with you.
My son is a Marine at Camp Hansen. Two days after the Tsunami he was able to get in contact. I was so relieved and thankful to God to know that he was well. Ever since He has been trying to get in contact with me but has been difficult. Last time we spoke he said they were on stand-by. He didn’t know if he was going to Japan to help. I heard on CNN that Okinawa was going. My question is has anybody’s Marine contacted them to tell them that they were leaving to Japan to help with the tsunami crisis? Thanks, Elisa
My son was stationed as a Marine in Okinawa, but is currently deployed to the Philippines. As of Friday, he said that he heard that Okinawa was fine, just the water levels were higher.
Marine son at Oki base. phones not working but face book is. go figure. we are a face book planet. two grandchild in school on air force base. He said last night they were ok
WORRIED! I’ve been watching the news about Japan, but they haven’t said said how the “EARTHQUAKE/TSUNAMI” affected “OKINAWA” south of Japan where our some of our cousins live! I’d call, but due to the “LANGUAGE BARRIER” I really wouldn’t be able to communicate. Also, I don’t know if they have e-mail or if they do, no e-mail address. Too bad our cousins are the eldest of our cousins! I will keep trying! My father’s family (MIYAHIRA), Gushikawa-Ken, mother’s family(IGE, NAKAMA, NAKATA, IGEI) Kin-Son-Ken ask Kin Town.
Seems things are fine there. Hopefully you can get in touch soon.
Hi there… I am a U.S. Marine wife. We live in Kin Town. I assure you Okinawa is just fine. Had it not been for the news letting us know the earthquake and tsunami happened, we probably wouldn’t have even known!
Thank you so much for the update. I am currently in the US and hubby is in Okinawa, along with other friends. This put my mind at ease.
I have two daughter in Okinawa, I talked to them yesterday they said that Okinawa did not get it hard and that all was OK so if someone has family there things are ok.
For those of you concerned about loved ones in Okinawa, rest assured that Okinawa, while definitely a part of the political nation of Japan, is a VERY good distance away from the mainland and where the majority of the damage occurred. In fact, Okinawa is closer to Taiwan and, in some parts, closer to mainland China than to the mainland of Japan.
Rest assured, if you are unable to reach any Marines stationed there, it is most likely due to III MEF being immediately mobilized to aid with relief efforts.
This Tsunami, while just as devastating to those affected, is not nearly as far reaching as the 2004 Tsunami, so the 1500 KM (over 900 mile) distance is more than enough buffer to keep those on Okinawa free from harm.
Semper FI
HI. If you know someone named FUMIKO CHINA, please let me know. We are looking for her. She’s from Okinawa. We’re here from the Philippines. Thanks and God Bless.
Happy New Year, Okinawa
my son Joseph Stoffel is a Marine in Okinawa,I have been unable to reach him on Skype since this earthquake hit, I’m praying he is just busy helping others,(that has always been his first reaction.)He is stationed at camp Hanson.I am praying for everyone in Japan and the surrounding areas.
Yes, I hope the predictions that it would not face much damage were true
My son is stationed at the Air Force base on Okinawa. I have spoken with hime thru Skype and he states all is OKAY in Okinawa. No damage, no shocks from the earthquake. Hope this eases your mind. Take Care!!
Cristy