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Sunday, March 11, 2012

First Anniversary of the Quake

Today is the first anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Across the country, many ceremonies and events were held in order to commemorate the victims and to encourage the affected people all day.

The Great East Earthquake was a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 2:46p.m JST on Friday, 11 March 2011. It was the most powerful known earthquake ever to have hit Japan. The earthquake triggered powerful tsunami waves that reached heights of up to 40.5 meters. The tsunami caused a number of nuclear accidents in the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant complex, and the associated evacuation zones affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.
Yesterday the Japanese National Police Agency confirmed 15,854 deaths, 9,677 injured, and 3,155 people missing, as well as 129,107 buildings totally collapsed and more 'half collapsed'.

I live far away from Tohoku region, but I've never forgot what I saw and heard on TV news and the Internet about the victims and the devastation. Actually something changed in me at that time. I came to thank for the ordinary life more strongly and want to value spending time with my family and friends.
I can't do anything to the affected people, but I will never forget about them and keep watching them.


5 comments:

  1. Setsuko hello, we have seen the horrible pictures on TV too, I was shocked to see what people and nobody can imagine what suffering is built here in your home. I grieve with you ...

    very thoughtful sends greetings Geli

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  2. although the people in the affected area probably won't agree, the year has gone by so fast? Such a tragedy. I am watching news footage as I type this,

    Gill in Canada

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  3. This was a terrible devastation for your country and its people, Annie. We have had many reminders of it in the news in the intervening year and it got a lot of coverage in our news.
    At the time of the earthquake our college conducted massage sessions for the public with all takings going toward the earthquake relief appeal. We were pleased that we collected several thousands of dollars that way, which was donated. We are currently conducting another appeal, the proceeds of which will once again be donated to the relief fund.

    I hope that the survivors will be well to remember the loved ones they lost and be able to get on with their lives. Tragedies like these unite people all across the world.

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  4. Hi Annie, Sorry that it has been so long since I have visited your blog - I was just so busy getting ready for my U.S. trip. We are here now and having a ball. How are things in your world? I cannot believe that it has been a year since the tsunami. Such a tragedy for your country - here in Australia we all sent our prayers to your poor country.

    hugs, Kaye xoxox

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  5. Though tragic, it is good to remember those whose lives were lost and those whose way of life was lost. Thank you for this post.

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