The founder of Digg, Kevin Rose recently received an e-mail from a friend working at an Apple Store in Tokyo, Japan, detailing the steps that Apple employees took right after the devastating 8.9 earthquake that struck last Friday afternoon. His friend details how the staff stayed calm as the building swayed and how they led people from the top five floors of the building, down to the first floor where they took shelter under the large wooden display tables that are a staple at every Apple Store in the world. As the earthquake hit these tables offered everyone protection from potential injury. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported at this Apple Store location.
The Apple Store is one of the few places in Tokyo that offers customers free Wi-Fi service, so people flocked to the store to contact family members. Apple employees not only kept the store open, but the staff brought out surge protectors and extension cords to help people keep their devices charged and running. They also offered assistance to few Android users as well. Even after the store closed at 10pm, people crowded around outside the store to use it’s free Wi-Fi, long into the night. Although the store closed at 10pm, some employees stayed up until 3am helping people stay in contact with their relatives and also offering tech support when needed.
The e-mail goes on to say, “Because the trains and phones were down, almost everyone who worked in Tokyo was stranded deep in the city. All the hotels were booked, the roads were jammed, so hundreds of people were instantly homeless. Apple told all of their staff - Retail AND Corporate - that they could go sleep at the Apple stores. The Senior managers at the stores had been notified earlier and unbeknownst to us, had gone out to stock up on food and drinks after the very first quake hit.”
The Apple store in Tokyo continues to offer help connecting friends and relatives to one another during this difficult time. With so much devastation all around them, just knowing that family members are alive and well can make all the difference in the world.
Not really. Apple stores have some of the best customer service in the world. I'm pretty sure it boils down to: "Help them now, and treat them no different than any customer, and they may become customers for it."
I am continually impressed with Apple Associates at the locations I have visited (Pittsburgh, Nashville, Dallas, Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison.) It's no fluke.
That was really generous of them. I always enjoy stories of selflessness during tragic events. I hope there was hospitality extended all over the city, and not just in the Apple Store.
did anyone watch the news!
After the quake, the japanese people line
up in the grocery store in very orderly and mannerly fashion
no fighter, robbing, or trying to cause harm to others.
This make us look shameful!
This literally brought tears to my eyes because of the extent that people with means can go for their own...
Here in America, you look at a situation like Katrina (and yes, it is similar not necessarily on scale, but on situation where you have a common situation that affects everyone).
There was looting and finger pointing and and and... In Japan however, their culture has the honor and integrity to actually band together in camaraderie. They realize that it's not every man for himself, but that their strength is in their numbers and working as a unit and as a whole...
Here in America, we want to run out and play Survivor Island...
I love my iPhone; however, the carrier(softbank), is not so reliable when you really need to use your phone. Many users including myself were unable to use their phone during the quake until a couple of hours later. Docomo had no problems, although.
Thats terrible wut happened in japan, everyday we're getting new videos
ok back to Apple discuss
that's a 2 story Apple store? looks gr8, like their design in the 1st part
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