May 2011
On behalf of the International House of Japan, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to all those affected by the March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake. We pray for a swift recovery and reconstruction of the affected areas.
I am happy to report that on or after March 11, no physical harm was suffered by our guests, visitors and staff members at the International House of Japan, and damage to the facility was minimal. Right after the earthquake, we placed donation boxes for disaster relief, and all receipts are being forwarded to the Japanese Red Cross. We are also very touched by the gestures of goodwill by several overseas friends who are donating to the relief effort through the I-House.
Northern Japan has suffered a catastrophe of an unprecedented scale, with an enormous earthquake, tsunami and related nuclear crisis, occurring almost simultaneously. It is estimated that it may take a decade before the affected areas are fully reconstructed. It may take as long to completely tame the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant No. 1 situation. Nonetheless, I am sure the Japanese people, with the spontaneous support and expression of solidarity of the entire international community, will work together to overcome this exceptional challenge with their customary determination and courage.
At the I-House, we were initially forced to cancel almost all the programs that were scheduled for March. However, from April onwards, we have returned to normal operations, both in terms of program activities and hotel operations. I am pleased to inform you that thanks to the year-long renovation in 2005 that reinforced the earthquake-resistance of the main building, it remained solid and intact.
Due to somewhat distorted initial reports on the nuclear crisis, the number of people visiting Japan drastically fell, although people are beginning to return in the past weeks, following reports of the substantial reduction in radioactivity to the safe level in all areas except in the designated area adjacent to the vicinity of the Fukushima plant.
You are all invited to come to I-House and join our programs or use our facilities again at your earliest convenience. All the staff members and I are eager to welcome you warmly at I-House soon.
Yasushi Akashi
Chairman