Remarks by Consul General Kamo at the Memorial Reception 

for the Great East Japan Earthquake’s One Year Anniversary

March 18, 2012

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen:

It is my pleasure and honor to have you here today at this special memorial event for the first year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. On March 11, 2012, memorial events were held in Japan and the rest of the world to pay tribute to the victims of the disaster. After the earthquake and tsunami, Japan received support from 124 countries and regions and 9 international organizations. Today’s event is part of our world-wide effort to show our appreciation to the international community for their outpouring of sympathy and support for us. So let me, at the outset of today’s ceremony, humbly offer my deepest appreciation to the people of Hawaii for their exceptionally generous support and soaring aloha to Japan.

The disaster was obviously most unfortunate. At the same time, however, it revealed what was hidden and left unheeded before. The people of Tohoku quietly demonstrated human dignity and stoicism even in extremity. Operation Tomodachi proudly showed the strength of the U.S. Japan Alliance in time of crisis. Our friends overseas enthusiastically reminded us in Japan that we did not stand alone.

In preparing today’s program, at first, I thought I was going to give a lecture on Japan, updating the progress we have made on our way to recovery and reconstruction from the disaster. I wanted to assure you that Japan was back to normal for business and tourism. I wanted to emphasize that you can continue to help us by visiting Tohoku and buying their products.

But I changed my mind when I saw the participants list. We have all key players here. So I decided to have my guests speak in place of myself. As community leaders or grass roots operators, they were instrumental in making a huge difference in supporting and caring about Japan. They are the excellent resource persons we can look to for their wisdom and insight which I believe will take us to a new height of the closer relationship between Hawaii and Japan.

Last but not least, please do not forget to pick up your gift bag at the reception desk when you leave. In your bag, you will find a copy of the text of Prime Minister Noda’s message which appeared on the page of the Washington Post on March 11, 2012 and graphic material prepared by Ambassador Fujisaki of our Embassy in Washington D.C. I hope you will find them informative and helpful to understand where Japan is heading, one year later.