One Year Anniversary Of Earthquake And Tsunami In Japan
It was one year ago today that an earthquake and tsunami hit the northern coast of Japan......killing nearly 20-thousand people. Michigan is home to many Japanese people....many in southeastern Michigan. The Consul General of Japan in Detroit, Kuninori Matsuda, says there's been slow, but steady progress in the affected areas.
"If we take a look at the..what remain to be done, that's a daunting task before we truly in a full fledged way recover everything and go back to the pre-earthquake normal."
Matsuda says many people are still struggling a year later. He says they are grateful for the encouragement and financial support from the Greater Detroit community. The Consul General of Japan in Detroit was inundated by correspondence from concerned residents from its jurisdiction states of Michigan and Ohio. Within hours of the earthquake, many visited the consulate to sign a book of condolence and personally convey their sympathies.
Numerous local organizations in both states raised millions of dollars for a variety of relief agencies. In addition, the consulate received 208 donations, amounting to more than $268-thousand dollars.
Japan will continue to promptly present accurate, scientific data as to the nation's current conditions and the safety of its products. Regarding the accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, the plant was brought to a state of cold shutdown last December and is on schedule for decommissioning. Japan considers it a high responsibility to share with the international community the experiences and lessons learned from the accident, with the goal of improved international nuclear safety.
Currently, Japan is in the midst of a comprehensive review of its energy policy—to be completed this summer—in order to reach an optimally balanced, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable supply of energy.
