Haunted tsunami survivors in Japan turn to exorcists

[Hum]

(Reuters) - The tsunami that engulfed northeastern Japan two years ago has left some survivors believing they are seeing ghosts.

In a society wary of admitting to mental problems, many are turning to exorcists for help.

Tales of spectral figures lined up at shops where now there is only rubble are what psychiatrists say is a reaction to fear after the March 11, 2011, disaster in which nearly 19,000 people were killed.

"The places where people say they see ghosts are largely those areas completely swept away by the tsunami," said Keizo Hara, a psychiatrist in the city of Ishinomaki, one of the areas worst-hit by the waves touched off by an offshore earthquake.

"We think phenomena like ghost sightings are perhaps a mental projection of the terror and worries associated with those places."

Hara said post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) might only now be emerging in many people, and the country could be facing a wave of stress-related problems.

"It will take time for PTSD to emerge for many people in temporary housing for whom nothing has changed since the quake," he said.

Shinichi Yamada escaped the waves that destroyed his home and later salvaged two Buddhist statues from the wreckage. But when he brought them back to the temporary housing where he lived, he said strange things began to happen.

His two children suddenly got sick and an inexplicable chill seemed to follow the family through the house, he said.

"A couple of times when I was lying in bed, I felt something walking across me, stepping across my chest," Yamada told Reuters.

Many people in Japan hold on to ancient superstitions despite its ultra-modern image.

Yamada, like many other people in the area, turned to exorcist Kansho Aizawa for help.

Aizawa, 56, dressed in a black sweater and trousers and with dangling pearl earrings, said in an interview in her home that she had seen numerous ghosts.

"There are headless ghosts, and some missing hands or legs. Others are completely cut in half," she said. "People were killed in so many different ways during the disaster and they were left like that in limbo. So it takes a heavy toll on us, we see them as they were when they died."

In some places destroyed by the tsunami, people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions queuing outside supermarkets which are now only rubble. Taxi drivers said they avoided the worst-hit districts for fear of picking up phantom passengers.

"At first, people came here wanting to find the bodies of their family members. Then they wanted to find out exactly how that person died, and if their spirit was at peace," Aizawa said.

As time passed, people's requests changed.

"They've started wanting to transmit their own messages to the dead," Aizawa said.

Shinichi Yamada said life had improved since he put the two Buddhist statues in a shrine and prayed. He still believes the statues are haunted, but now thinks their spirits are at peace.

source

[ShareShiz]

And the location of Ghost Busters 3 will be...........

JAPAN

[Hum]

Ouija boards in Japanese should be a big seller. :p

[Growled Member]

That was a terrible time for them and a lot of people got killed. It's easy to see them having problems after going through that.

[compl3x]

That was a terrible time for them and a lot of people got killed. It's easy to see them having problems after going through that.

Yep. Trauma can have all types of psychological effects on people. Shame on charlatans for exploiting these peoples' fears to turn a quick buck.

[Shiranui]

The Japanese are not nearly as superstitious as their Chinese neighbours, but they are certainly intrigued by the supernatural - as evidenced by the abundance of primetime shows about the paranormal

.

The disaster did raise awareness about the need for counselling services for PTSD sufferers, especially for the kids.

[compl3x]

In a society wary of admitting to mental problems, many are turning to exorcists for help.

Although it is a horrible way for it to come about, one silver lining that might come from this disaster is that mental health isn't as stigmatised or covered up (for lack of a better word) in Japan.

The West also has a huge problem with dealing with mental health, it is still seen as a weakness which needs to be concealed and ignored, not treated.

[NoPanShabuShabu]

The Japanese are not nearly as superstitious as their Chinese neighbours, but they are certainly intrigued by the supernatural - as evidenced by the abundance of primetime shows about the paranormal

.

The disaster did raise awareness about the need for counselling services for PTSD sufferers, especially for the kids.

I'm not so sure if they are merely "intrigued" by the supernatural. While the shows I watch don't usually touch on the supernatural, when they do they are 100% credulous about the existence of ghosts.

Although it is a horrible way for it to come about, one silver lining that might come from this disaster is that mental health isn't as stigmatised or covered up (for lack of a better word) in Japan.

The West also has a huge problem with dealing with mental health, it is still seen as a weakness which needs to be concealed and ignored, not treated.

As to the first point, one can only hope, since I've seen no evidence of mental health issues being dealt with seriously in Japan.

As to the second, unfortunately, we in the West seem to often times wear mental health issues a badge of honor.

[Hum]

The people who don't see ghosts are the ones who are crazy. ;)

[Growled Member]

The people who don't see ghosts are the ones who are crazy. ;)

I must be crazy then. :p

[compl3x]

As to the second, unfortunately, we in the West seem to often times wear mental health issues a badge of honor.

Who does that? IIt i entirely that type of attitude which deters people from getting help for their issues. People are accused of exaggerating or faking their issues to get attention.

The people who don't see ghosts are the ones who are crazy. ;)

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