Ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011. As we witnessed the unprecedented damage at that time, we were forced to recognize the frightful power of nature and the fragility of the myth of safety. The years since have seen the Kumamoto Earthquake of 2016 and the Hokkaido Eastern Iburi Earthquake of 2018, as well as damage from storms thought to be caused by global warming which have repeatedly struck various regions across Japan. Furthermore, on the 13th of last month, the Fukushima Prefecture Offshore Earthquake hit Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures once again.
We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to everyone affected by these disasters, and to all the evacuees experiencing inconvenience in their daily lives.
At Meiji University, we have been supporting reconstruction activities carried out by students and staff. The Reconstruction Activities Support Center for Earthquakes and Other Natural Disasters, established as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake, has been central for their activities. We have also launched a variety of programs in partnership with local governments. We will continue our support activities, in order to contribute to as swift a rebuilding of the affected areas as possible.
As March 11 approaches this year, we will again fly our university flag at half mast both to offer our condolences for those who lost their lives to natural disasters and to express our hope for the revival of the areas affected by the disasters.
Mar. 11, 2021
Meiji University
