Event Report
The Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial (March 11, 2012)
On March 11, 2012, a one-year memorial ceremony for the Great East Japan Earthquake was held at the Seattle Center. The memorial, “A Day of Remembrance. A Day of Preparedness. A Day of Rebuilding.” was co-sponsored by SeattleJapanRelief.org coalition and the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle held a special screening of the documentary “Gambappe Hula Girls! – Life in Fukushima, Their Life Today” that focused on the progress of the restoration of the leisure facility, Spa Resort Hawaiians, located in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture. The Consulate also displayed panels of Japan’s recovery from the disaster and messages of gratitude from the considerable assistance given to Japan from the United States and the Pacific Northwest in particular. In addition, messages of hope from the children of Tohoku were also on display.
At 2 PM, at the Kobe Bell at Seattle Center, many gathered to participate in the public memorial for the Great East Japan Earthquake disaster. Guests included Congressman, Jim McDermott, the Lieutenant Governor of Washington State, Brad Owen, Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Seattle City Council President, Sally Clark, as well as Gael Tarleton, the Commissioner of the Port of Seattle. All who attended the memorial participated in a moment of silence at 2:46 PM. Afterwards, the Kobe Bell was rung in memory of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At the end of the memorial, a reception was held for local participants.
To read Consul General Kiyokazu Ota’s speech at the memorial ceremony click here.
To read Consul General Kiyokazu Ota’s speech at the memorial reception click here.
To read Consul General Kiyokazu Ota’s editorial originally published in the Seattle Times, click here.
