★   A ray of salvation during the Great East Japan Earthquake

▶Details of support from overseas PDF

On March 11, 2011, the Tohoku region was hit by the third major earthquake and tsunami in history. On that day, Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, lost all light and was plunged into complete darkness.

But in reality, that was not the case. In the darkness, Japan could clearly see many lights shining in the distance.

When Japan sank into despair and was enveloped in darkness and a sense of powerlessness, the "light of prayer" was lit from all over the world. At Magoso School in a Kenyan slum, children prayed for Japan day and night. When the USS Ronald Reagan, off the coast of Hawaii, heard news of the major earthquake, it immediately turned its bow toward Japan. People from all over the world sent prayers and large amounts of relief supplies to Japan, and at the same time, rescue workers and rescue dogs from many countries were immediately dispatched to Japan to carry out rescue operations. (It was like the "Genki Dama" from the anime Dragon Ball being sent to Japan from all over the world.)

Japan, enveloped in darkness and overcome by feelings of despair and loneliness, was not alone. Japan was receiving "light of salvation" from around the world. Japan has carried out many overseas aid activities up until now, but in 2011 Japan received even more aid from around the world. Japan is fortunate.

Although I'm originally from a disaster-hit prefecture, I could only watch the TV news in Tokyo at the time of the earthquake, and felt a sense of helplessness. Despite this, I was deeply grateful for the efforts of the Self-Defense Forces, firefighters from around Japan, the U.S. military, and relief teams from various countries who rushed to the scene and dedicated themselves to rescue and reconstruction efforts. A week after the earthquake, I made a day trip from Tokyo to visit my parents and relatives in the disaster-hit prefectures, via Niigata and Yamagata. I'll never forget the sight of the devastated coast of my hometown, the Self-Defense Forces clearing rubble from the coastal streets and establishing relief routes. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who dedicated themselves to rescue and reconstruction efforts, both domestically and internationally, and to those who offered prayers and support. I would also like to thank the E Gas Station in Niigata, who filled up my tank despite the 10-liter fuel limit after I explained my situation, and T Rent-a-Car, who rented me a car despite the headquarters' restrictions on rentals to disaster-hit areas, because my reservation was earlier than their headquarters' notice.

★   Many Falkors from around the world and Japan

▶Falkor and One-Eyed Dragon Masamune detailed information PDF

Do you remember Falkor, the lucky dragon from the movie "The Neverending Story"? (For some reason, in the Japanese version, he is called Falcon, not Falkor.) In the original novel and the movie, Falkor conveys the message to the main characters, "Never Give Up!! and Good Luck will find you!!" The lucky dragon was named "Falkor" by the German author, Michael Ende, who was staying in Japan while writing "The Neverending Story." He coined the word "Falkor" from the Japanese word "Fukuryu" (lucky dragon).

King Wangchuck of Bhutan, who carries a dragon on his national flag, visited Fukushima after the earthquake and spoke to children there, saying, "Have you ever seen a dragon? I have."

In today's world, there may not be gods of savior, goddesses of fortune, or dragons, but I believe they exist in our hearts and lives, and they appear using the hands, arms, legs, and hearts of those who have courage and goodwill to stand up before those in need.

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, many rescue workers and rescue dogs rushed to Japan from overseas. Many people from all over the world also offered prayers and abundant support. It seems as if Falkor appeared using their bodies, calling out to Japan, which was caught in the nothingness of despair and helplessness, "Don't give up! If you do, good fortune will find you!"

* "Prayers and support from overseas" during the Great East Japan Earthquake, "Relay of goodwill with other countries", and "Yamato spirit"

▶ Bonds with Japan, relay of goodwill, Yamato spirit explanatory material (PDF)

Historically, the Tohoku region has been hit by three major earthquakes, including the one in 2011 (the Jogan earthquake in 869 and the Keicho Sanriku Offshore Earthquake in 1611). The relay of goodwill between Japan and other countries began with the rescue of the San Francisco in Onjuku, Chiba Prefecture in 1609, and the ties between Japan and the United States have been deepened through three "Operation Tomodachi" missions. (Japan has carried out 83 overseas disaster relief operations in 49 countries since 1987.)

On the other hand, the sight of victims lining up in an orderly fashion during the Great East Japan Earthquake was praised around the world, and inbound tourists visiting Japan these days are amazed at the cleanliness, quietness, and safety of Japanese cities. Why are Japanese people able to behave in this way? Perhaps it is because at the core of their hearts remains the "Yamato spirit" that has been nurtured since ancient times.

Fourteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and memories are beginning to fade. It is essential that we convey the memory of the disaster to future generations. At the same time, we must never forget the many memories of prayers and support from overseas that day, and the bonds of goodwill relayed between countries . We must also never forget the Yamato spirit, a Japanese virtue that has been nurtured since ancient times and that must be passed on to future generations.

In order to ensure that this "memory of prayers and support from overseas" and "relay of goodwill" does not die out, we have launched this e-commerce site, "Awaiting Falkor," to introduce the support from overseas in as comprehensive and detailed a way as possible, rather than in a piecemeal manner.

It is our hope that this e-commerce site will help to prevent the "memories of the earthquake disaster" and "memories of the tremendous support from overseas" from fading, deepen the ties between Japan and other countries, and continue the relay of goodwill.

1. Memories and gratitude for the support and prayers given during the Great East Japan Earthquake that should be passed on to future generations: approximately 135 billion yen in donations, approximately 1,228 rescue team members, 41 rescue dogs, and approximately 24,500 U.S. military personnel
2. One-eyed-luck dragon, “Sekigan no Falkor” A dragon of good fortune and perseverance. Connection with Japan: Falkor (Fukuryu), Snow Lion, One-eyed Dragon Masamune
3. A relay of goodwill and bonds between Japan and other countries into the future Three Japan-US Operation Tomodachi missions, bonds with other countries, and a relay of goodwill (1609~)
Japan's support (1987-present): 83 activities, 49 countries
4. The ancient Japanese spirit of "Yamato-kokoro" and "Bushido"
The Spirit of Great Harmony: The seven colors of the rainbow, formed through mutual respect, are ultimately radiant!
The samurai spirit of protecting what is important even at the risk of one's life, sublimated from the Japanese spirit