THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503030015
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The recent killer earthquake in Japan took more than 5,000 lives, seriously injured 27,000 people and destroyed 100,000 houses, major roads, transportation systems, service lines and port facilities and practically all infrastructures of Kobe, Nishinomiya and nearby metropolis. More than $100 billion in damages is estimated. It was unequivocally the worst natural disaster in 75 years. Its devastation was beyond description and imagination.
The Japanese government, though its relief actions were acutely delayed due to lack of viable policy and unpreparation, now steadily organizes and implements major relief efforts. Volunteer groups and citizens of Japan responded quickly for immediate relief efforts as well.
More than 30 nations have offered generous humanitarian assistance by virtue of technical and material aids as well as human resources. People of Japan were very appreciative and deeply moved by the profusion of relief assistance provided by foreign nations. Without a doubt, Japan will prevail over this difficult plight with its disciplined determination as an impending national imperative.
Japan recognizes it is not alone in this great battle of recovery and, furthermore, knows the great heart of world humanism must be far more powerful than any impartial will of nature if the human race is to survive harmoniously on Earth.
On behalf of Mr. Baba, mayor of Nishinomiya City; Mr. Sasayama, mayor of Kobe City; Dr. Kusaka, president of Mukogawa Women's University in Nishinomiya, I am deeply gratified to the warmhearted people of Hampton Roads who generously contributed $10,290 to the earthquake relief fund as of Feb. 3. The money was sent to Hanshin Great Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund in Nishinomiya, Japan.
HIROYUKI HAMADA
Virginia Beach, Feb. 10, 1995 by CNB