On March 11, Japan was hit by one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history. We are making all-out efforts to restore livelihoods and recover from the series of tragedies that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake. The disaster left more than 28,000 people, including foreign citizens, dead or missing.
Since March 11, Japan has been strongly supported by our friends around the world. On behalf of the Japanese people, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for the outpouring of support and solidarity we have received from more than 130 countries, nearly 40 international organizations, numerous nongovernmental organizations, and countless individuals from all parts of the world. The Japanese people deeply appreciate the kizuna (“bonds of friendship”) that have been shown to us. Through this hardship, we have come to truly understand that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Continue reading at “Japan’s Road to Recovery and Rebirth”.
