KAMAISHI, Iwate Prefecture--Bowing to popular demand, residents and companies here continue sending postcards commemorating the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which devastated the city, to link disaster victims and people across the globe.
KAMAISHI, Iwate Prefecture--Bowing to popular demand, residents and companies here continue sending postcards commemorating the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which devastated the city, to link disaster victims and people across the globe. The Kamaishi city government and other organizers of the project originally planned to stop selling the postcards after the third anniversary of the March 11, 2011, disasters. But organizers decided to allow the Kamaishi tourism and souvenir association and other bodies to continue selling them due to their popularity. The commemorative postcards will be available until 180 packages, each containing three cards and priced at 250 yen ($2.45), are sold out. “We hope that we can convey our appreciation to those who have supported us and have people know that there are many people in Kamaishi who are working with their eyes looking forward,” said Takuya Kashima, 31, an official of the city’s tourism and exchange sector who heads the special postcard project. “(The project) also helps Kamaishi residents think carefully about their city.” Postcards featuring local attractions, such as festivals, the sea, fish, animals and sake, have been sent by Kamaishi residents to friends and others, including recipients living in the United States, Britain and Australia. The special postcards for individual use were designed by three female painters and designers. Postcards for corporate use are also available, and photos prepared specially for the project are printed on some of those. As of March 11, more than 4,000 cards were sent by local residents and 17 companies and institutions. Those sent between late February and March 11 were postmarked on the third anniversary of the disaster. The postcards include an explanation that shows recipients how to access the project’s official website, which allows them to leave messages on the webpage. Locations of recipients who have responded with messages via the Internet are shown on a world map on the website. “All Japanese should not forget the assistance and the warm feelings toward the affected regions,” one of the responses says. Another online message says, “My heart has been warmed to receive a handwritten card.”