Carrying a 'Heavy Heart' for Japan

The tragedy in Japan has hit home in Diamond Bar.

After news of the quake hit most in the U.S. the next morning, restaurant owners at and  have been met with concern and sympathy.

"Everyday customers ask about our family, and if everyone is ok," Michiko Tanaka, co-owner of Kyala, said. "We are very happy to say, yes, we are all ok."

Michiko and her husband, Yoshikazu, have family back home in Tokyo, and though they are worried for them, no one was injured or lost their home.

"It's a big relief, but the aftershocks keep coming, and the buildings are moving," Michiko said. "We are afraid for them, but they have nowhere else to go. Tokyo is home to us."

The Tanakas' Tokyo family also reported rolling power blackouts for three hours at a time, which becomes a problem when stuck on electric-powered public transportation.

"It is still very bad in Japan now," Yoshikazu said. "Very bad."

Reiko Yamamoto, owner of Jubei Japanese Cuisine, experienced some of the continuing aftershocks of the 9.0-magnitude monster during a trip to Tokyo just last week.

"Oh! So many!" Yamamoto said. "Some every ten minutes! Some go up and down, and the next side to side. It was very scary!"

Yamamoto said that many buildings that have already been damaged are swaying in the aftershocks, and cause concern. Her parents reside in Tokyo and Yamamoto's niece in Osaka has asked the parents to leave.

"My parents cannot leave, because my father has a kidney condition that does not allow him be far from home," Yamamoto said. "My mother is 93. I worry about them."

The quake has had its reverberations at both businesses as well.

Over the past few weeks, stories have poured out of Japan about how the food and water supply in the northern region of the country, near the epicenter of the quake, has now been effected by escaping radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Specifically, spinach and dairy producers have been the hardest hit as the FDA and World Health Organization have expressed formal concern over exposure of those items to radiation.

However, Yamamoto said her business has not been affected by the disaster abroad, although a staple of Jubei's features fish freshly imported from Japan on Friday nights. Yamamoto said the fish the restaurant imports from Japan is still fine and passing inspection.

"The Japanese government does an excellent job of keeping us safe. I am not concerned," Yamamoto said. "If the (toxicity) of the fish (increases) then I am sure they will tell us."

And should something make the imported fish dangerous to eat, Yamamoto said she would press on.

"I can be happy making tempura and Wagyu beef until the crisis has passed," Yamamoto said. "My customers love tempura. I will be all right."

Michiko at Kyala said it is business as usual, but the restaurant's customers have shown strong concern for the Tanaka family and the couple's friends in Japan.

"The deep concern and generosity has moved the Tanakas deeply," Michiko said.

To help out, Michiko and Yoshi have established a Japan relief fund at the restaurant with a box displayed at the hostess stand. And people have been generous, Michiko said.

"Just today, someone made a contribution of $100," Michiko said.

The money collected will be collected by the Japanese Restaurant Association and passed on to relief efforts through the Japanese embassy, Tanaka said.

The disaster came at an especially poignant time for Michiko and Yoshikazu, as they are planning a grand reopening for the restaurant's 20 year anniversary, which will close the restaurant from March 28 until April 20.

"Much thought, planning, and design have gone into this project — much of it my own," Michiko said, "so, I can be happy for our loyal customers that will have a beautiful new Kyala."

But Michiko said her emotions are now mixed.

"I would like to be very happy about our new surroundings, but I have a heavy heart," Michiko said.