Flags across Japan flew at half mast on Sunday 11 March, to commemorate the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that claimed so many thousands of lives. The country paused for a minute's silence at 1446, the exact moment that the quake first struck. I joined crowds in one of the big parks in central Tokyo to mark the moment, with the hush broken only by the whirring of a TV helicopter overhead. The sheer terror of that afternoon a year ago came flooding back to all of us, and many in the crowd had quiet tears rolling down their cheeks as they remembered and mourned.
At the same time the anniversary was a moment to celebrate the great solidarity and resolve that has characterised the start of the rehabilitation process. The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan struck just the right note with its "Road to Recovery" event held at the Ambassador's Residence on 8 March. The focal point was a talkshow featuring several survivors, who spoke about their experiences and their gratitude for the help received from Chamber member companies. They included a group of women who are using a temporary cafe set up with BCCJ funding as a centre for sewing bags made from fabric retrieved from a destroyed kimono store. This provides them with a source of income, but also with an outlet that allows them to forget for an hour or two the terrible sights they have seen and the hardships they still endure (you can't yet buy their handicrafts online, but should be coming soon: see http://www.facebook.com/Watalis). A teacher who had led all his charges to safety and then supervised the evacuation centre was also there, along with the wives of some fishermen who have been able to resume their business thanks to the Chamber's provision of a freezer to store their catch before taking it to the central market. Small stories of hope and business recovery amid the devastation. I found it profoundly humbling to meet these individuals, all once ordinary people but now rendered extraordinary by the serenity and dignity with which they are rebuilding their lives.
The other highlight of the evening was the world premiere of a song written by British musician and Tokyo resident Nick Wood, performed by Nick himself and by Julian Lennon, celebrated Japanese producerTetsuya Komuro and children from the Tohoku. Called "Hope" and inspired by the lone pine tree that remained standing when everything around it was washed away by the tsunami, it is now available on i-tunes with all proceeds going to the Beyond Tomorrow children's charity. Hopefully funds raised will boost the already remarkable GBP25,000 that was raised by the 8 March event - more evidence of the commitment and solidarity that British companies feel towards this important market.
It was good to be reminded that the road to recovery is still a long one. For in Tokyo it is easy to forget: life is now as frantic and vibrant as it ever was, and the pace of business has resumed as vigorously as before, if not more so - here in the UKTI Japan team the level of demand for our services from British companies wanting to access the Japanese market is running at record levels. Later in this one-year anniversary week we will host a symposium, sponsored by Aggreko, for Japanese corporations to learn how British companies can help them with their business continuity planning and preparations. Called "Expect the Unexpected" it will address business resilience from all angles - risk management, power supply continuity, information security, logistics and more. This is just one of many areas where the events of last year have opened up new opportunities - food and drink, energy-saving technologies and renewable energy being some of the others. If you'd like to find out more please do get in touch with us. By engaging with Japan you can do your bit to support business recovery - and hopefully help your own business in the process!
Sue Kinoshita
Director of Trade of Trade & Investment, UKTI Japan