Apr 21, 2021
At the end of March, I completed my fourth business trip to Okinawa during the 2020 fiscal year. Overall, it was my 130th trip to Okinawa, not including those made during the eight years I lived there.
The 2020 fiscal year essentially overlapped with the same period in which COVID-19 began to have a real economic impact on the country, particularly in the travel industry. That industry includes hotels, airlines, cruise ships, tour guides, restaurants, stores, museums and cultural sites at various tourist destinations. Companies and shops have closed and tens of thousands of people have lost their jobs as a result.
Okinawa s wasted COVID-19 year | The Japan Times
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Japan′s PM Suga heads to US with China on his mind | Asia| An in-depth look at news from across the continent | DW
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Mar 8, 2021
The Great East Japan Earthquake was like yesterday for me. I was privileged at the time ten years ago to have been a part of the U.S. military response to the disaster known as Operation Tomodachi. I have also been lucky enough to continue to be involved with the affected area ever since, recently completing my 15th trip there.
These trips have been to both assist in the recovery process (
fukkō) as well as to help prevent the fading away (
fūka) of the lessons learned in that tragedy. It is important for each and every person to learn what they can about preparing for and responding to disasters, so that they themselves do not become victims and that they can also help others whether near or far.
Ten years after the quake: Between recovery and remembering
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