Soutei-gai 想定外 "Beyond our assumption"

We have been hearing this word very often in Japan in the past 3 weeks.

Soutei-gai  　想定外　

The term can be translated in English as "beyond our assumption," or "beyond calculation."

Many in Tokyo, excluding the central area, are still struggling with rolling blackout where even elevators in high-rise buildings are stopped and train services are suspended/reduced from time to time.  Traffic lights at intersections are even turned off for a few hours. 
Rolling blackout is a measure to prevent an abrupt total blackout which could cause a greater damage to people and industries.  And that seems to be the only solution to this "soutei-gai" situation of power shortage in Greater Kanto Region.

Another typical example.
"The scale of the Tsunami was simply beyond our assumption, " said a TEPCO executive initially as if to fend off the criticism by blaming the earthquake itself.


Fukushima　 福島 is one of the 47 prefectures (states) in Japan. 
It's ironic to note that the name Fukushima literally means "Happy Island."   Sadly however, Fukushima has become known to the world not by the positive connotation of its name.

In a NHK feature program, a Zen priest Genyu Sokyu compares possession of Nuclear Plant by humans to "keeping dragons as pets."

"Beyond assumption." "Beyond calculation."

It was wrong in the first place to try to "assume" or "calculate" the power of mother nature.  It was also wrong to think that we had technology advance enough to control it.

Related Article: Fukushima Victims http://eigo2u.blogspot.com/2011/03/fukushima-victims.html

・Here are the latest reports on the quake victims in Japan.  
http://hearthevoicefromjapan.blogspot.com/

How can we help?

・Japanese Red Cross
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

・Save the Children, Japan quake victim
www.savethechildren.org/japanquake

・Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support Website

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Japan-Earthquake-Animal-Rescue-and-Support/207835229228979
OR;
http://japanearthquakeanimalrelief.chipin.com/japan-earthquake-animal-rescue-and-support/