Suga and Biden hail post-3/11 relief operation as sign of special Japan-U.S. bond Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you re not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https://www.enable-javascript.com/
Then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech in Sendai on Aug. 23, 2011. | KYODO / VIA REUTERS
Kyodo Mar 11, 2021
Washington – Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed relief efforts by Japanese and American troops in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan as a sign of the special bond between their countries.
Bells, sirens and moments of silence at US bases in Japan mark 10 years since earthquake and tsunami stripes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stripes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The 11th of March 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan, killing more than 16,000 people and leading to the Fukushima nuclear accident. On hearing of the disaster, Australia’s well-practised and disciplined crisis-response mechanism swung into action. The government decided to send an urban search and rescue, or USAR, team, which was to fly to Japan on a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 heavy transport aircraft.
In Japan, unsurprisingly, there was a great deal of confusion. The devastation was widespread, communication systems were down and the government was mobilising national resources to respond to the catastrophic event. The Japanese were also attempting to coordinate the many offers of assistance they had received from around the world, all the while enduring multiple aftershocks. In the 24 hours following the initial quake, more than 70 aftershocks above magnitude 5.0 were recorded.
More US bases in Japan ease post-travel coronavirus restrictions for vaccinated troops stripes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stripes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By JOSEPH DITZLER | STARS AND STRIPES Published: March 9, 2021 TOKYO – The commander of Yokota Air Base on Tuesday lifted the coronavirus ban on off-duty travel to the most popular districts in Japan’s capital city and reduced the restricted movement period for vaccinated travelers. Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi, known for their crowded city streets, shopping, restaurants and nightlife, are open once again to people associated with Yokota, the headquarters in western Tokyo of U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force and the 374th Airlift Wing. The order applies to anyone with access to the base, including service members, Defense Department civilian employees, family members and Japanese employees.