Two years have now passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. In observance of this tragedy, an opening ceremony was held for “Kizuna 2: The Bonds of Emotion, Japan Earthquake Photo Exhibition” at the State of Illinois James R. Thompson Center. The exhibition was co-sponsored by the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, the Japan America Society of Chicago, and the Consulate General of Japan.
Opening Ceremony
The ceremony began with a performance by Tsukasa Taiko. Then, after one minute of silence, the Choir Futaba assembly sang a moving piece titled “Ue o Muie Arukou (I look up when I walk)” a.k.a. “Sukiyaki.” Both Japanese and Americans gave presentations. Consul General Masaharu Yoshida expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the huge funds and much-needed support from the United States and the Midwest.
Photo Exhibit
The exhibition was curated by Professor Jamason Chen at Loyola University Chicago, and honorarily co-chaired by Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. It was divided into three parts. The first part, titled “Memory: Things We Should Never Forget,” featured photographs from the Nikkei collection that depict the current situation in Tohoku. The second part, titled “Chicago Connections,” presented personal accounts of and photographs taken by Chicagoans who were there that day or have volunteered in the relief effort. The final part, titled “Voices from Japan,” provided a collection of photographs taken by Japanese in Tohoku that show the current recovery.
Press Conference
The opening ceremony was followed by a reception and press conference.
Seminar
In addition to the photo exhibition, a seminar titled “Japan in Perspective: An Update on the Pace of Economic and Social Recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake,” was held on March 13 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Consul General Yoshida presented an overview of the reconstruction effort and expressed Japan’s deep appreciation. Mr. Tatsuhiro Shindo, Chief Executive Director of JETRO Chicago, explained in detail about the recovery and his own visits to Tohoku. Mr. Greg Burns, Editorial Board Member of the Chicago Tribune, served as the moderator.
The photo exhibition and seminar demonstrate that the friendship between Japan and the Midwest is stronger than ever.
The first image depicts Tsukasa Taiko performing to a large crowd of spectators in the Kizuna II opening ceremony. The second photo shows Consul General Yoshida expressing his gratitude for support from the United States and the Midwest. The final photo is of Consul General Yoshida speaking at the press conference on the recovery effort in Tohoku.
March 18-30, 2013
Block 37 Gallery
108 North State St., Chicago
Free and open to the public