RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate Prefecture--The pine tree that miraculously survived the deadly tsunami in 2011 was lit up on June 28 for a trial run.
RIKUZENTAKATA, Iwate Prefecture--The pine tree that miraculously survived the deadly tsunami in 2011 was lit up on June 28 for a trial run.
Of about 70,000 trees in the Takata Matsubara pine forest, it was the only one that withstood the disaster. Although the tree later died because the soil turned saline from the seawater, it was preserved as a memorial.
White and yellow light-emitting diode (LED) lights were later installed on the tree by the youth section of the Iwate prefectural industrial association of electricians and electronic giant Panasonic Corp.
The installment was made to pray for those who died in the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, and to give hope to the survivors.
The tree will be lit up for one year from July 3 when the completion ceremony is scheduled to be held.