IBA Japan and our members join the Japanese people in mourning the tragic loss of life that followed the devastating earthquake that struck northeastern Japan at 2:46 pm on March 11, 2011, and the even more devasting, Tsunami that followed.

No words can adequately express the feelings that each year’s anniversary brings upon those affected.

However, Ryoichi Wago, a poet living in Fukushima at the time of the Earthquake began documenting the events and publishing them on Twitter. His often, poignant statements attracted much attention, and many poets began reading his statements to people in public, raising money for disaster victims. His writings were republished under the title ‘Pebbles of Poetry” in May 2011. Here is an extract from that poem which celebrates the recovery power of the Japanese people. “Everywhere I end up, there is nothing but tears. I want to write about this, writing with all the power of an Asura (Asura is a powerful demigod in Hinduism).    

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the people who have lost loved ones or suffered because of the events on that day or subsequent impacts.

March 11th, 2021

IBA Japan