Today marks 26 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which claimed 6,434 precious lives. The total amount of damage is approximately 10 trillion yen.

Since I was born in Osaka, my parents were in Nishinomiya and my relatives were scattered in Ashiya and other areas at the time, it took me three days to get to Osaka. Fortunately, neither my parents nor relatives were injured, but the lack of water and other inconveniences continued for some time.

I was in Ashiya on a business trip three days before the earthquake, and was deeply surprised to see the station collapsed and gone. The city looked like something out of science fiction and did not seem real.

This experience has made me sensitive to disasters around the world. Gratitude for the everyday things we take for granted and the importance of peace are deeply ingrained in my mind.

I’m posting this so that it doesn’t fade away after 26 years.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the deceased and their families.