Letter of Appreciation to the People of Palau
2016/10/18
Kom Kmal Mesulang, Belau!
‘After the Earthquake’ –message from Ambassador Sadaoka to the people of the Republic of Palau-
June 11, 2011
March 11th 2:46 p.m. - This moment, a tremendous earthquake of magnitude 9.0 hit the northeastern region of Japan. An earthquake of this size is said to hit once in a thousand years. From the quake and the following tsunami, over 20,000 people are lost or missing, and nearly 100 thousand people are still evacuated.
It has been three months since this worst disaster in Japan. While it is a very difficult time for us, the support from all over the world has been encouraging the victims and our country greatly.
In Palau, the Office of the President promptly presented a proclamation of ‘expressing condolences and declaring a day of mourning for the victims of the earthquake & tsunami in Japan’ and all flags in the country were hoisted at half-mast for five days. On the day of mourning, a big fund-raising drive was launched in central Koror, organized by the Palau Red Cross and the Office of the President. In spite of the hot weather, many high school students marched the streets with signboards to collect donations.
At the Embassy of Japan in Koror, a Condolence Book was open to the public for messages to the victims in Japan. Many people from all over Palau took their time to pay their visits and write down their heartfelt messages.
The students from Maris Stella Elementary School brought up an idea to have their own fund-raising event for the Japanese victims. It was heart-warming that young students far away from Japan had a moment to consider what they can do to help the victims and stood up on their own to make such action. They involved their parents, teachers and the community and held charity bazaars. Other elementary schools such as Peleliu Elementary School and Aimeliik Elementary School took their time to write letters and draw pictures to encourage and cheer the victims in Japan.
At the Embassy of Japan in Koror, a Condolence Book was open to the public for messages to the victims in Japan. Many people from all over Palau took their time to pay their visits and write down their heartfelt messages.
The students from Maris Stella Elementary School brought up an idea to have their own fund-raising event for the Japanese victims. It was heart-warming that young students far away from Japan had a moment to consider what they can do to help the victims and stood up on their own to make such action. They involved their parents, teachers and the community and held charity bazaars. Other elementary schools such as Peleliu Elementary School and Aimeliik Elementary School took their time to write letters and draw pictures to encourage and cheer the victims in Japan.
The Korean community in Palau also collected donation for the victims of Japan.
I believe that many Japanese were encouraged by these warm messages and generous donation from Palau. It is a hard time for Japan, but we did see from this experience the strong relations we have with other countries such as Palau and how they are caring and supportive to us when we are suffering. The people of Japan will not forget these warm deeds by our precious TONARI, the Palauan people, and hope that our friendship will get stronger and even more TOKUBETS in the future.
On behalf of the people of Japan, I would like to appreciate all of those who have supported our country to recover from this disaster. I wish to emphasize that Japan is steadily recovering. It is already SIMPAI-NAI to visit Tokyo or Osaka or most of the places (except the small area inside Fukushima Prefecture), and MONDAI-NAI to buy any item produced or manufactured in Japan. The best way to support Japan from now on is to buy Japanese products and visit Japan. If you have a chance, please visit Japan or buy Japanese products and share this message with your friends so it will spread faster. We really appreciate your support and understanding.
Thank you very much. Kom Kmal Mesulang!
I believe that many Japanese were encouraged by these warm messages and generous donation from Palau. It is a hard time for Japan, but we did see from this experience the strong relations we have with other countries such as Palau and how they are caring and supportive to us when we are suffering. The people of Japan will not forget these warm deeds by our precious TONARI, the Palauan people, and hope that our friendship will get stronger and even more TOKUBETS in the future.
On behalf of the people of Japan, I would like to appreciate all of those who have supported our country to recover from this disaster. I wish to emphasize that Japan is steadily recovering. It is already SIMPAI-NAI to visit Tokyo or Osaka or most of the places (except the small area inside Fukushima Prefecture), and MONDAI-NAI to buy any item produced or manufactured in Japan. The best way to support Japan from now on is to buy Japanese products and visit Japan. If you have a chance, please visit Japan or buy Japanese products and share this message with your friends so it will spread faster. We really appreciate your support and understanding.
Thank you very much. Kom Kmal Mesulang!