Reception Marking the Fifth Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

On Friday, March 11, the Consulate General of Japan and the Red Cross conducted a joint commemorative reception on the fifth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.  After observing a one-minute silence to honor the victims, Consul General Seiji Okada, Canadian Red Cross National Board Chair Ms. Sara John Fowler, and the Honourable Naomi Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness spoke in memory of the tragedy and importance of disaster readiness.  Japanese Red Cross Society Senior Advisor — International Department, Mr. Naoki Kokawa came from Japan and delivered a report about the work done in Tohoku in response to the earthquake and the progress made thus far.  This anniversary also marks the half-way point in the Government of Japan’s ten-year reconstruction plan.  To close the program, three students from Pearson College shared some personal reflections along with a musical tribute from the College.