Love to Nippon 2015

Love to Nippon 2015 -3.11 Memorial Event, Lessons Lenard from March 11 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

It was a special gratitude to hold the event at the Japanese American National Museum on the first day of the daylight saving time. Despite the unforeseen challenges of road closures and the demonstrations which took place nearby, we were blessed with beautiful weather and were able to carry out the programs in a smooth matter.

The prayer service by Shinto, Buddhist and Christian Faiths let all who participated in the incense and flower offering. Los Angeles County Fire Departments (CACFD) shared valuable information with the public. Fire Chief Daryl. L Osby of the LACFD gave pertinent tips on what we can all do for emergency preparedness.

The plaza area was filled with Japanese classical and American jazz music while the booths presented by the Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, the American Red Cross, Home Depot.

Inside the forum, Christian and Jewish prayers, choral music and recitation of poetry enhanced the afternoon. In the evening a solemn and beautiful candle service concluded the for the fourth annual tribute event. The community-wide gathering of the prayers, remembrance and learning was made possible by giving the gift of precious time and thoughts on this occasion.

The harsh weather patterns seen in Southern California as well as the rest of the nation remind us that we are vulnerable to natural disasters and that much needs to be done to increase awareness of the subject.

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Love to Nippon 2015

The Fourth Annual 3.11 Memorial Event
Sunday, March 8, 2015

Reflecting on Japan’s Worst Earthquake & Tsunami and Lessons Learned to Better Prepare Southern Californians for Natural Disasters

Japanese American National Museum
National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, Courtyard and Plaza
111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012 (Little Tokyo)

Love to Nippon 2015 is generously hosted by the Japanese American National Museum

Emergency Preparedness Fair, Prayers and Flower Offering for General Public
1:00pm – 4:30pm JANM Courtyard and Plaza

1:00pm - 4:00pm
“How are the devastated areas in Tohoku, Japan now after four years?”
Booths presented by Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectural Organizations of Southern California and Music Tribute by Los Angeles Todo-Kai, Blues Adjacent and Tsugaru-Shamisen playing. American Red Cross Los Angeles Regional Headquarters, A Plus Survival Supply, L.A. County Fire Department Fire Truck, United States Coast Guard and others
Co-Emcees: Richard Fukuhara & Masako Unoura-Tanaka, Love to Nippon Project

1:30pm - 2:00pm
“What is Los Angeles doing to prepare for possible earthquake and tsunami?”
Remarks: Chief Daryl L. Osby, Los Angeles County Fire Department
Battalion Chief Larry Collins, L.A. County Fire Department and First Responder in Japan, Fire Chief David Stone, L.A. County Fire Department and others

2:00pm - 4:30pm
“Interfaith Service”
Nikkei Interface Fellowship Group of Little Tokyo and Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Federation
Co-Emcees: Lori Gardea & Toby Mallen, Nichi Bei Fujin Kai (NBFK) Kay Inose & Kitty Sankey, the Japanese Women’s Society of Southern California

Events at Courtyard and Plaza open at 1PM

Memorial Program

3:30pm – 7:00pm Tateuchi Democracy Forum

Pre-Registration Required for Part I and Part II

Program Part I:

Emcee: Janet LeBlanc, Love to Nippon Project

3:15pm - 3:30pm
Kitakami Elementary School Song Video of Miyagi Prefecture, Lyrics by Satoko Sato, Music by Mitsuhiro Sakakibara, Video production by Steve Rey Saito

3:30pm - 3:50pm
National Anthems: Japan and the United States of America by Erika Olsen, singer
Convocation: Reverend Timothy Yee, Union Church of Los Angeles
Cantor: Rebekah Mirsky of Kol Tuv
Welcome Greetings: Japanese American National Museum

3:50pm - 4:35pm
Special Reports: A Preview of Documentary Film Screening of “Live Your Dreams: the Taylor Anderson Story” After the Preview screening, Regge Life will lead a Q&A session. Additional reports about the current situation in Tohoku will be presented by members of JASSC, local community leaders, representatives of the three affected prefectural associations and others.
Moderator - Douglas Erber, President of JASSC

4:35pm - 5:05pm
Words of Appreciation: The Honorable Hidehisa ” Harry” Horinouchi, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles
Music Tribute: “Hana Wa Saku” in Japanese, “Soran Bushi” folk song by Nikkei Choral Federation of Southern California

Program Part II:

5:15pm - 7:00pm
Screening of Documentary Film “Live Your Dreams: the Taylor Anderson Story”
Taylor Anderson was a female American English teacher in the City of Ishinomaki. After comforting and helping her students evacuate after the earthquake, she was last seen riding her bike to her apartment. Award winning film producer and director, Regge Life, documented Taylor Anderson life and the positive impact she had, and continues to have, on the U.S.–Japan relationship.

Closing - Douglas Erber, President of JASSC, Masako Unoura-Tanaka, Founder of Love to Nippon Project

7:00pm – 7:30pm
Candle by Rev. Mark Nakagawa