politics

Politicians propose officially designating March 11 as Great East Japan Disaster Day

8 Comments
By Casey Baseel

This coming spring will mark four years since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. While that’s not nearly long enough for the those who experienced the tragedy first-hand to forget about the destruction, sadness, and fear, some politicians are concerned that in time memories will fade, which is why a bill is being introduced in the Japanese Diet to establish March 11 as an official day of remembrance of the disaster.

The Liberal Democratic Party has announced its intention to recommend that March 11 be officially known as Great East Japan Disaster Day. The initiative is being spearheaded by LDP representatives from Tohoku, Japan’s northeastern region which suffered the heaviest damage from the earthquake and tsunami. In particular, Shinichi Suzuki and Takumi Nemoto, representatives from Iwate and Fukushima Prefectures, respectively, are seen as champions of the cause.

While the bill will not seek to establish March 11 as a national holiday, the lawmakers nevertheless feel the designation is important to raise awareness about the necessity of disaster preparedness, prevent the events from fading from public consciousness, and to make sure future generations understand what the country experienced.

The Liberal Democratic Party had begun work on presenting the proposal back in fall this year, but its progress was derailed by the dissolution of the Diet and subsequent snap elections. Backers now plan to formally introduce the bill at the next regular session of the Diet, to be held in January, and are currently reaching out to representatives from other parties in order to complete the process by March 11 of 2015.

Source: Reuters via Hachima Kiko

Read more stories from RocketNews24. -- LDP still promises to ‘re-examine’ historical textbooks, possibly replace sensitive words -- Heartbreaking video game remembers the victims of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami, raises money for survivors -- LDP’s Education Revitalization Headquarters Compiles Draft Proposal

© RocketNews24

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8 Comments
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Or perhaps the LDP could focus on rebuilding the area and getting people out of temporary housing. That would mean more meaningful than another useless holiday.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

I don't think this is necessary.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Hey! Happy Great Disaster Day, Everybody! Here, have a pink lollipop with an image of the exploding reactor!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Sept. 1 is already observed as disaster prevention day and that date should be given priority.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

This is a clue that all those people that are still homeless after the disaster are already forgotten.

Once you get collectively shoved into a holiday, it's all over.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Not going to be a holiday, folks; that would be a bit sick....

But you've got to feel sorry for those born on 11 March: any public birthday celebrations are going to look a bit wrong.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

and in the meantime they are doing far too little to help those affected or clean up the mess.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The government has effectivally ceased help. They have not forgotten, they are just stalling the whole thing. Yes no use rebuilding when the nuke box in Fukashima is still a-wire...but still... Its been 3 bloody years and I have not seen any progress... Government here is too busy trying to prepare for the olympics. All the builders are being contacted out, leaving no one to help the homeless.

Pathetic isn't it?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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