Trying to get past the Quake

Friday marks the final day of NSC Minnesota Stars training camp -- and one week since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami struck Japan. Stars midfielder Kentaro Takada, a native of Japan, spent the week getting physically fit while wrestling with mental strain. ¶ Takada was in Tokyo last Friday, shopping for a wallet when the earthquake hit. Though hundreds of miles from the epicenter, buildings in Tokyo shook violently. Takada, who experienced several earthquakes during his lifetime, knew this one was different. ¶ "I felt strong shaking, and I ran out right away," Takada said. "For over five minutes it kept shaking. I was afraid it would destroy the building." ¶ Takada ran into the street for safety. He wasn't alone. "I've never saw so many people in the street like that," he said. "Everyone was scared and tried to call or e-mail friends or family, but everything was shut down -- nothing worked."

Takada's immediate concerns were not for his family, but for two friends from Hokkaido University living in Akita and Sendai -- cities in northern Japan closer to the epicenter. The earthquake-triggered tsunami ravaged Sendai.

"I e-mailed them but didn't get an e-mail back from them," Takada said. "Finally, [Tuesday] I got an e-mail from them. They said they were fine and so were their families. They were trying to help people."

Aftershocks shut down most forms of public transportation Saturday. But Takada flew out of Tokyo on Sunday feeling torn about leaving while his country was mired in its worst crisis since World War II.

"I was confused on the plane, thinking, 'Why do I have to leave now?'" he said. "That was difficult for me. But I have to play; I'm a soccer player. That's all I can do -- play hard for Japan."

Since arriving in the United States, Takada has spent countless hours absorbing television and Internet footage. He remains in contact with friends and family through the Internet or Skype. The NSC Stars begin their season on April 9 so Takada has no immediate plans to return home.

Like observers worldwide, Takada is thinking about Japan -- particularly the people impacted by the problems at the crippled Fukushima I nuclear plant.

"It's painful, but I want to know what's going on," he said. "Except for practice and sleeping, I'm checking in on Japan.

"It's sad. It's unbelievable. I cannot believe what I see on TV or in pictures."

DAVID LA VAQUE