On the 22nd, it will be 12 years since the earthquake in southern New Zealand that killed 28 Japanese people, and a memorial service was held at a vocational school in Toyama City, where 12 students were killed during language training.
In the earthquake that struck southern New Zealand on February 22, 2011, a building containing a language school in Christchurch collapsed, killing 28 Japanese, of whom 12 were visiting the area for language training. I was a student at Toyama Foreign Language College in Toyama City.
At the vocational school, a memorial service was held on the 22nd, with more than 100 people, including remote relatives and current students, attending and offering a silent prayer at 8:51 am Japan time when the earthquake occurred.
At the memorial service, the principal read a message from Mayor Fujii of Toyama City and said, "While carrying on the ambitions of the deceased student, we aim to develop human resources who can contribute to society as global citizens."
After that, the student representative, Ariya Kurimoto, said, "I will not forget the events of this day, and I will be grateful for the lives that I have now, and I will pass on the lives of my seniors."
After the 14 students performed a memorial song, the attendees quietly offered flowers and offered prayers.
Finally, Mr. Naohiro Kanemaru, who lost his daughter Kayo, who was 19 years old at the time, on behalf of the bereaved family, said, “Even after 12 years, our feelings have not changed. Let's do our best without fear of failure," he sent a message to current students.
Family members who attended the memorial service
Naohiro Kanemaru, who lost his daughter Kayo, who was 19 years old at the time, said, ``This year is 12 years and it is also the 13th anniversary in Japan. It's a pity for me that I didn't," he said.
Seiji Yokota, who lost his 19-year-old daughter Saki at the time, said, "When I see a building that has collapsed like a pancake in an earthquake in Turkey, it brings back a very sad feeling. Every day before I go to work. I offered my daughter my favorite apple tea, and when I came back, I continued to say 'I'm home,' and I'm so lonely."
Kunitoshi Kikuta, who lost his daughter Saori who was 19 at the time, said, "The image of the departure on the 17th is still stuck in my mind. No one dreamed that it would end like this. The feelings I had 12 years ago really haven't changed.I'm grateful that I'm still alive, and I want you to remember the 12 who died as long as you live." .
Kazuo Hotta, who lost his 19-year-old daughter Megumi at the time, said, "No matter how I think about it, I wonder why my child and everyone have to go through this. I don't want other people to feel this feeling.When I think about what lessons the deceased, including our children, have left behind, I think about safety and security. I think I should get it," he said.