Remarks by H.E. Mr. Junichi Kosuge, Ambassador of Japan,
On the occasion of the Reception in Commemoration of the First Anniversary of the March 11 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan
March 11, 2012

H.E. Dr. Jafaar Hassan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation
H.E. Dr. Yassin Khayyat, Minister of Environment
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you all very much for being here this evening. Exactly one year ago this day, Japan was devastated by the unprecedented earthquake and tsunami. More than 15,000 died and around 3,000 are still missing. Many lost their family members. Over 240 children lost both parents. And 33 foreign citizens lost their lives.

We have invited you all to this event to commemorate the victims of the disaster, to express once again our sincere appreciation for the support extended to us by Jordan and the international community, and to appeal to you all the recovery of Japan. Our head office in Tokyo and most of the Japanese diplomatic missions abroad host similar events on the occasion of the first year anniversary of the March 11 earthquake.

First, I would like to take this opportunity to offer silent prayers for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami. If you would not mind, I would appreciate it if you could join us for a moment of silence.

Thank you very much for your understanding.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am most grateful that Jordan has extended outstanding support during our difficult times in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. Under the instruction of His Majesty King Abdullah, the Government of Jordan dispatched a medical team to Fukushima prefecture, one of the most severely affected regions, for three weeks last spring. The team excelled and gave so much encouragement to the vulnerable people in the disaster stricken areas that words of appreciation outpoured from them.

Many Jordanians sent heartwarming messages of sympathy to our people. We also received a huge amount of contributions and goodwill from the people of Jordan including kind donation from the students of Jordanian public schools.

We also remember that groups of Jordanians voluntarily held a number of events to express their support for and solidarity with Japan. Soon after the earthquake, many Jordanian people gathered in front of our embassy and lit candles to express their solidarity with Japan and condolences to the victims of the disaster. Moreover, a Jordanian group successfully organized a charity concert featuring a Jordanian pianist last September, and all the money collected at the concert was sent to the fund for the orphans of the earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima prefecture.

With such “kizuna” in Japanese or “the bonds of friendship” in English shown by our Jordanian friends in the difficult times, we have come to truly understand that a friend in need is a friend indeed. On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their invaluable support.

And we will of course never forget the outpouring of support and expressions of solidarity that we received from the international community. For this we feel deeply indebted and I take this opportunity to reiterate Japan’s heartfelt appreciation to the support provided by many countries, regions and international organizations, many of whose representatives are present here this evening.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Although we still face enormous task, we have made steady progress. Most areas in Japan have returned to normal. Many Japanese companies have recovered at an astonishing speed. There is no major obstacle to foreign visitors doing business, study or sightseeing in Japan. Moreover, Japan is more determined to contribute to the international community to address the global challenges to return favors to the gift of support we received from around the world. We will continue to provide assistance through ODA and other means. We will share the knowledge and lessons learned from the earthquake and tsunami with the international community. And we will transform challenges into opportunities in many fields such as post-disaster reconstruction and revitalization, disaster risk prevention, building an economy in harmony with the environment and tacking the declining birthrate and aging society among others, and we will offer the world a model as a “lead runner in addressing these challenges.”

Today, we are displaying the drawings of children in the disaster stricken areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures to express their appreciation for the support from the world, and we are showing the scenes of reconstruction and recovery in the aftermath of the earthquake on the screen. We will also serve you some Japanese sushi which is made of rice produced in the affected areas and have also set up a booth to introduce Japanese sake, also produced in the afflicted areas of the disaster. Furthermore, last Thursday, His Excellency Dr. Jafaar Hassan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, and I signed the exchange of notes for the provision of industrial products made in the disaster stricken areas, with an aim to assist the progress of the economic and social development in Jordan as well as to contribute to the recovery of the affected areas in Japan. We are also displaying a panel to introduce these products. I very much hope, Ladies and Gentlemen, that after the reception all of you will take home our strong message that Japan is firmly on the way to recovery.

Finally, in recent history, Japan seized rapid economic development from the ashes and desolation of World War II and built the foundation of today’s prosperity. On the first year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, we are reminded that we are now faced with a challenge of similar proportions. Our goal is not simply to reconstruct the Japan that existed before March 11 last year, but to build a new Japan. This is an historic challenge and I pledge that we are determined to overcome it.

Thank you for your attention.
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