As Japan rebuilds and moves forward from the triple catastrophe of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident many questions are being asked about how the country will rebuild. What role will nuclear energy play in the future? How will an already energy efficient Japan further conserve energy as the country repairs the electricity production capacity devastated by the tsunami? Though horrific, this disaster provides an opportunity for Japan to find itself again after two decades of economic drifting. Its relationship with energy, including the 30% of its electricity that comes from nuclear, will also have to be reassessed. But energy is obviously just one of the important areas on which to focus. Through it all, a stronger Japan could emerge and, through bonds forged in times of trouble, the US-Japan relationship may emerge stronger as well.
Today, in the May 10th edition of the Washington Times, there is a full page ad on the back of the first section. Below a sketched image of a firm handshake one simple word is written: Arigato. Thank you.
This is one way the Japanese community, through the WA Project, is saying thank you to America and Americans for their support and help as Japan recovers from the tsunami that devastated the northeastern part of the country on March 11th.
Take a look at the powerful image and message from a powerful grassroots project.
For background on the WA Project read the Japanese press release and the English press release.