Memorial Service Held 4 Yrs after Hiroshima Landslides

August 20, 2018

Hiroshima- A memorial service was held in Hiroshima on Monday as the western Japan city marked the fourth anniversary of massive landslides that killed 77 people.

The memorial service, which took place in the city's Asaminami Ward, one of the hardest-hit areas, was hosted by an association of local groups working for disaster prevention on a voluntary basis.

Some 100 attendees, including bereaved relatives and officials from the prefectural and city governments, offered silent prayers for the victims and those who lost their lives in deadly torrential rains that hit Hiroshima and other western Japan areas last month.

"As residents, we'll make all-out efforts to rebuild (Hiroshima) into a region that is not prone to disasters and can limit related damage to the minimum," Tatsuyuki Sugahara, 71, chairman of the disaster prevention association, said in a speech.

Also attending the memorial service, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said, "We'll dedicate all our strength to efforts to build a city that is disaster-resistant and examine ways to make sure that many people evacuate."

Riko Kihara, 18, who lost her father and sister in the 2014 landslides, laid flowers as the representative of the bereaved relatives.

"I hope this disaster will not be forgotten," Kihara said in a trembling voice.

Yasuko Hattori, 56, whose mother died in the disaster, said, "It doesn't feel like four years have passed."

A huge rock hit and destroyed the house of Hattori's mother, whose calendar was filled with plans to participate in volunteer activities.

"I'm caught between a resolve to move forward in my life and regretful, sad and lonely feelings," Hattori said tearfully.

The city of Hiroshima set up stands for flower tributes at several locations including the offices of Asaminami and Asakita wards.

In the early hours of Aug. 20, 2014, torrential rains triggered massive landslides in the northern part of Hiroshima, leaving 77 people dead, including three who died from related reasons, and 396 houses destroyed or partially damaged. Jiji Press