Memorial held to mark 17 years since Hanshin quake
A memorial was held on Tuesday in the port city of Kobe in western Japan to mark the 17th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. The quake killed 6,434 people.
People who lost families and friends gathered at a park early in the morning. They lit candles and placed them to form the numbers 1 and 17, commemorating the date of the disaster.
The participants observed a moment of silence at 5:46 AM -- the exact time the earthquake struck.
This year, the organizers invited the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011.
The mayor of Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, Isoo Sasaki, was among those invited. He joined in observing a moment of silence.
Rebuilding in the most damaged region was completed last year through rezoning. Businesses have recovered, but they are still far from bustling.
More than one-third of Kobe's population has not experienced a massive earthquake. Passing on the knowledge learned from the disaster to younger generations is becoming a major task.
Participants will also observe a moment of silence at 2:46 PM, the exact time when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 07:57 +0900 (JST)
Please read complete article at link below:
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http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120117_07.html
KawomotoDragon.com
Monday, January 16, 2012
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