Haga speaks of Japan crisis 'nightmare'
Noriyuki Haga has vowed to give it his all when he lines up on the World Superbike Championship grid at Donington Park in memory of those that have lost of their lives in last week's Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
The PATA Aprilia rider was in Nagoya, 260km west of the capital Tokyo, when the disaster struck, causing slight damage to his home but leaving his friends and family safe.
Expressing his sadness at the aftermath of the disaster, which has also triggered concerns over a meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in the north-east of the country, Haga is determined to race on at Donington Park in just over a week's time.
"After the first round of the World Superbike championship at Phillip Island, I went back to my hometown Nagoya in Japan to visit my relatives. Of course now I am trying to get back to Europe for Round 2 of World Superbike championship at Donington Park in the UK next weekend.
"First of all I would like to say thank you so much to everyone that has texted me and called me, concerned about my family and friends in Japan. I just wanted everyone to know how much it meant to me and I appreciate it very much! Thank you so much for all the kindness you show me. All my family - Yurie, Akito, Ryota and Kanon - are OK and our relatives who live in the suffering area are safe too.
"We are very shocked about what is happening in Japan. Earthquake, tsunami and now trouble for Nuclear power plant. It's just like a nightmare! It is very bad and ugly, especially the Sendai area. I used to race there and I have good memories of it too but now it's unbelievable... sad! sad! sad!
"My home is OK, it just has small damage and the aftershocks are still continuing but at the moment they are not as bad as the others.
"I am very sad for all those who have lost friends and family in the tragedy and I am going to try my best at Donington Park to show you the spirit of "Don't give up Japan, Don't give up Tohoku!
"I also have the good news that our friends Yukio Kagayama and family, Katsuaki Fujiwara and family are all OK!"
Japan is still coming to terms with the 'double disaster', caused when a 9.0 magnitude earthquake prompted a huge tsunami that battered the north-east coastline, levelling some communities. More than 5,000 people are confirmed to have died, though this death toll is still expected to rise as the clean-up operation continues.
