A Fijian who is in Japan as part of a sports evangelism programme has lauded the country’s weather forecasting system and relief work.

Sakaraia Turagaluvu is one of 12 Fijians who are part of the Japan International Sports Partnership in Tyre, Ofuna in Yokohama.

They have been there since the beginning of the Rugby World Cup.

He said they were safe and gave an account of what they experienced during Typhoon Hagibis when it made landfall over the weekend.

“Around 6.40 pm on Saturday (Japan Time) we felt the earthquake, the strong winds and rain. Some houses had their roofs blown away, cars were submerged in water and roads and drains were flooded,” he said.

Despite the damage the typhoon brought, Mr Turagaluvu said: “Their predictions were precise in terms of the amount of rainfall and the strong winds. There were indicators in areas where flooding is likely to occur. When the water level rises, the relevant authorities are activated. Even before the typhoon passed yesterday, relief work was already underway.”

Other Fijians in the group are: Benjamin Savu, Meli Koro, Tevita Fifita, Koro Kolinisau, Nemani Buliruarua, Eddie Qio, Elia Ratucove, Eroni Viqasi, Tuberi Korosaya, Joe Nodrakoro, Pita Taoi.

About mission

The Japan International Sports Partnership vision is that by working as a partnership between churches, mission organisations, Christian companies and schools – Churches in Japan would experience a 10-fold blessing by 2024.

The group has been involved in evangelism activities over the past month. They return to Fiji tomorrow. Another group will arrive in Japan on October 17, 2019.

Yesterday, they took part at the Assemblies of God headquarters church based in Tokyo.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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