The People’s Daily carried a letter of thanks from Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on April 11th, one month after the Sendai earthquake. Kan expressed gratitude for the ‘Kizuna’ (“bonds of friendship”) displayed by the international community in the aftermath of the disaster.
In the regions that were hit by the tsunami after the earthquake, there was no water, no electricity, no food, and even contact with the outside world had been cut off. At that time, overseas assistances gave us strength to go forward.
A bowl of hot soup and a blanket warmed bodies and minds in cold. Rescue teams struggled to comb through the rubble to save survivors, and medical teams selflessly provided treatment to those people who were physically and emotionally injured.
Even today, we are still receiving encouragement and wishes from around the world. The Kizuna given by friends all over the world greatly inspire us. I would like to say a sincere “thank you” to the countries, regions and all the rest of you who have given us all-out support ….
Relying on the Japanese people’s potential and international community’s assistance, Japan will be able to undergo rebirth, revival and achieve even greater prosperity. At that time, we will repay all corners of the world for your kindness.
The Japanese Daily Yomiuri gave further details:
According to the Foreign Ministry, the message was carried in The Wall Street Journal, the International Herald Tribune, Britain’s Financial Times, France’s Le Figaro, China’s People’s Daily, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo and Russia’s Kommersant.
The message was translated into each country’s language.
