News broke this morning here in Oregon of the tsunami, which started yesterday after a massive 8.9 magnitude earthquake shook the ocean floor just off the coast of Japan. The waves reached our Pacific Coast, sweeping five people out to sea. That, of course, pales in comparison to the shocking footage and photos we’ve seen from Japan.
Japan plays a huge roll in the world of specialty coffee, and our current issue features Hiroshi Sawada and his café in Tokyo. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people affected by this event. I personally thought Tokyo was an amazing place when I was lucky enough to visit for the 2007 World Barista Championship, and I was distraught to see photos like this which has buildings I recognize from near the WBC event space in Tokyo with billowing smoke engulfing them.
The American Red Cross is taking donations to help victims on their website here.
