As of late last week, natural gas heating and water were still unavailable through the main lines to the Zeugner's apartment. Electric space heaters were being used to provide warmth, and water could be brought in from elsewhere by hand. Food was scarce in Kobe, but the Zeugners were getting along. Their family of five had taken in eight less fortunate people who had been left homeless by the earthquake. The amount of destruction that Zeugner has described to his colleagues is incredible. Highways an d buildings have collapsed, and it is virtually impossible to travel. Apparently, some train lines are still running, and it is possible to travel from Kobe to Osaka where public baths are available.
The City of Osaka, east of Kobe, was fairly undamaged by the tremors, but heavy damage occurred even in Kyoto, north of Kobe. The shocks from the initial quake were felt, however slightly, as far away as Tokyo. Kobe was still experiencing aftershocks on Thursday, a couple days after the initial quake.
Professor Zeugner is reported to have been in good spirits when he spoke with his colleagues here at WPI. Since the quake he has been interviewed on the BBC and an article has appeared in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
Zeugner and his family have been in Japan since January of 1994. His wife, Alice, is a Japanese language professor, his three children had been attending a bilingual school. He has been teaching classes on intercultural studies at Kobe University. They had planned to stay in Kobe for a year and a half before returning to the States.
Zeugner has traveled to Japan on many occasions and enjoys immersing himself in the eastern culture. During the years of 1976 to 1978 he was a Fulbright Senior lecturer at Osaka and Kobe Universities. During the years of 1981 to 1983 he was a Visiting P rofessor American Cultural History at Keio University in Tokyo. Professor Zeugner has been a member of the WPI staff since 1971, and he has used his international ties to help seek out projects for students and to educate groups such as the International Scholars Candidates, as well as educating the students in his normal classes.
The University in Kobe is currently closed, and it is not sure if it will be opening after its scheduled winter break. Zeugner is still unsure if he will stay in Kobe to continue his work, or if his family will soon be returning to the United States. Ri ght now, they, and the rest of the city, are simply trying to get along and are waiting to see what will happen.
