Fukushima’s international newsletter Gyro, published with the aim of both providing up to date information about the prefecture’s current state and promoting reconstruction efforts and the activities of international groups in the prefecture who are supporting recovery, has been released and is now available as a PDF here.
The newest issue has eye-witness accounts of the disaster on March 11 from foreign residents of Fukushima and updates from three projects set up to provide relief and raise money for survivors and reconstruction after the disaster.
Miyagi Prefecture, also badly damaged by the disaster, has also released a letter to the international community from its governor, Yoshihiro Murai. He writes:
“The March 11, 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake and catastrophic tsunami is an event no one will ever forget. In one split second, we lost our family, friends, employment, property and memories. Smiles vanished from our faces. Anguish and despair overran our emotions.
In the middle of such turmoil, the international community immediately united together to offer its unconditional support and words of encouragement to the people of Miyagi Prefecture. The acts of kindness and messages gave us hope and courage to start taking steps forward.
On behalf of Miyagi Prefecture, I express my sincerest gratitude to the people around the world for their generous assistance and benevolence.”
To read the letter in full, please click here for the PDF.
Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture has also written an open letter in English, which they have published on their website, to extend their condolences to victims of the disaster and to thank the world for its support during Japan’s hour of need.
Osami Takeyama, Mayor of Sakai, pledges in the letter that “Sakai City will continue its commitment to reenergize the economy, culture, tourism and international exchange, to contribute to the restoration of Japan as a whole. With tremendous support from around the world, the Kansai region will unite together to lead Japan in its steady recovery from this tragedy.”
To read the letter in full, click here to visit their website (English.)
