However, where I am right now was totally unaffected. Due to the geographic placement of Nanzan, no one here felt the earthquake. However, a teacher who commutes did say over there they felt it - all her precious silverware hanging on the wall fell and were ruined. In fact, a lot of the people here did not even know there was such a huge earthquake until they saw it on the news. A friend who worked at the convenience store said that once he heard about it, he didn't think too much about it and continued working. It only struck them once they saw the same devastation that was being shown to the rest of the world.
Although it's been a year, there are still a lot to be done in the area. The president for my circle (club) went a few months ago to volunteer and help with the wreckage. He came back with pictures of places being cleaned up from the tsunami, as well as things that are being left as they are until further notice (like a bus on top of an elementary school).
According to a friend who was researching an activist group at Nanzan University, there's also a critical look at the government and what information they are censoring about the March 11 event. I don't know really anything about it; he just mentioned it during his presentation about the group, but it does show that there are many Japanese college students who think about what is happening more seriously than some may realize.
Lastly, because Japan still needs help to clean up from last year's tsunami + earthquake + nuclear accident, a couple of international exchange students are inspired to go help and volunteer over there. I want to go with them. Furthermore, at Ohio State University's (my home university) Japanese Student organization made this video that shows Japanese people in every state giving encouragement to Japan:
You should definitely research options on how to help!! Maybe you can convince mom and dad to let you stay over the summer to volunteer (and take me with you!)
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