A year has elapsed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. I would like to pay homage to the victims of this disaster and express my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Ukraine, to all Ukrainians, for their tangible aid.
Several days after the quake, on March 16, 2011, the president of Ukraine visited the Japanese embassy and left an entry in the book of condolence. A week later, the Ukrainian government sent 2,000 warm blankets to Japan, followed by 1,000 radiation monitors, 1,000 dosimeters, 1,000 gas masks and iodine respirators in the summer. Japan also received monetary and moral support from members of the Ukrainian administration, politicians, businessmen, men of arts and letters; also encouraging messages and origami-cranes from people who varied in age and lived in various regions of Ukraine, elders, school and university students.
Ukraine and Japan share the bitter experience of nuclear power stations’ breakdowns and subsequent contamination. I think this experience should keep being examined to increase the level of safety awareness and to take measures aimed at preventing such disasters.
Ukraine was followed by other countries that provided aid to Japan. My country has since embarked on a road leading to reconstruction and revival. Life is getting back to normal in the capital’s suburbs and other regions. I would like to use this occasion to emphasize the fact that the system of supplies is being completely renovated, that there are no problems with business, student exchange programs or tourism.
Japan suffered a real tragedy during the Great East Quake. It was also an opportunity to reaffirm Japan’s invincible spirit and realize the importance of friendly contacts with the international community of nations.
I believe one ought to turn one’s hardships into a good chance. Japan will continue to actively contribute to the international community with its Official Development Aid – and by using other means – in order to express our heartfelt gratitude, as well as to help guarantee personal safety in this turbulent world. This includes measures aimed at facilitating transfer to the green economy, disaster-prevention programs, a higher degree of economic collaboration, along with other measures aimed at reviving Japan. My country may well turn out to be “the world’s number-one troubleshooter.”
Toichi Sakata is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine
