‘Love to Nippon’ to Mark 8th Anniversary of Tsunami

Participants in “Love to Nippon” offer prayers to the victims of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region. (Rafu Shimpo photo)

“Love to Nippon 2019,” commemorating the eighth anniversary of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan, will be held on Sunday, March 10, at 12 p.m. at LAPD Headquarters, 100 W. First St. in Downtown Los Angeles.

The disaster, known in Japan as Higashi Nihon Daishinsai (Great East Japan Earthquake), resulted in nearly 16,000 confirmed deaths, more than 2,500 missing, and more than 200,000 residents displaced, as well as meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

The irei-sai (memorial service), co-hosted by Shussei Inari Shrine of America, will take place from 12 to 12:30 p.m. There will be performances by UCLA Kyodo Taiko and a flamenco dance tribute by Mikaerakai Flamenco.

L.A. Fire Chief Daryl Osby will make a special presentation on natural disaster preparedness at 2 p.m.

“To honor the memory of those who have perished and to celebrate the resilient spirit of those rebuilding their lives, we will come together as a community to pray, to remember, and to learn from the tragic experiences to help our community in the future,” organizers said. “We encourage members of your organization to participate and share the importance of natural disaster preparation here in Los Angeles and Southern California.”

Love to Nippon will also hold a candlelight prayer for the victims of the disaster on Sunday, March 10, at 9 p.m. on the north side of the Santa Monica Pier, 200 Santa Monica Pier A in Santa Monica. The earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m. on March 11 in Japan, or 9:46 p.m. on March 10 in Los Angeles.

“Let’s send love and prayers from the people of Southern California to the people of Japan and to honor the lives lost, and the survivors and families forever affected by Japan’s worst natural disaster,” organizers said.

Love to Nippon was founded in 2011 by Masako Unoura-Tanaka, a survivor of the tsunami who lives in Marina Del Rey as well as Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture. Supporters include Nichi Bei Fujin Kai and Douglas Erber, president of the Japan America Society of Southern California.

For more information, call (310) 484-1800, email unoura@ttta.com or visit www.facebook.com/LoveToNippon.