Editor,
I am a former JICA volunteer and have worked at MIC from November 2009 to March 2012.
The world’s great interest has turned into the Ukrainian issue.
However, we are worried about the people of Tonga who were severely damaged by the January 15 submarine earthquake and the accompanying tsunami. It will take many years to return to the life before the earthquake.
Similarly in Japan, the submarine earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11, eleven years ago, killed more than 18,000 people. It is said that many years are still needed to care for the victims’ minds and regain the lost daily life.
Tonga and Japan have similar geographical conditions and have survived many natural disasters.
We former JICA volunteers (co-representatives: Ms. Kaori Onoue worked at Tupou Tertiary Institute and Mr. Hiroshi Maeda worked at Ministry of Education and Training) created a song to cheer up the affected Tongan people, together with fund-raising activities, and posted it on You Tube with the cooperation of many Japanese people.
Have a look and listen to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqXkML_6aGQ
I hope you introduce this to your readers.
From Tokyo, Japan
Best regards, Hiromichi Suzuki
