Now in Japan it is 11th March, 2012. One year to the day of the tsunami and earthquake that killed and injured thousands and left many more homeless. I believe the thing that can be learnt, or rather understood, from the tragedy in tohoku is that when people are united, they can do incredible things. A prayer is a just a hope and nothing is achieved unless we apply ourselves actively.
To all of the volunteers, fund-raisers and people living in the Tohoku area that worked and are continuing to work away at the problems, I respect you immensely and feel honoured to be counted amongst you.
To all those who lost their homes, loved ones and livehood, my heart goes out to you. Since a year ago, things have gotten better and in a year's time, things will be better still.
And finally, to all of those living outside of Japan and who are unaware of the current situation, people are still left in refuges, people are still trying to rebuild their lives, just because a story is no longer a headline for the BBCs or CNN, it doesn't mean it's over.
Keep fighting.
頑張れニッポン。
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日本語でもこの書いた事をちゃんと伝いたいけど、残念ながら出来ませんが、出来るだけ、翻訳してみたいと思います。間違いがあったらごめんなさい。それはただ、英語を理解できない日本人のためのですから、僕の気持ちを伝えられるなら満足です。
今日は3月11日で、何千人も亡くなった東日本大震災の日からちょうど一年前です。その日から学ぶべきことは、人が互いに助けると、何でも出来るのことです。
僕は東日本大震災のことを考えると、悲しく悪いことだけと思いません。ボランティアをやってる人も献金した人も見ると凄く感動した。
去年から今まで達成したことが結構多くて、よく頑張りましたね。それで、同じように今日から一年後ももっと良くなるかもしれません。