On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude undersea megathrust earthquake shook Japan and the hearts of the world. The quake was the worst Japan has ever seen and was one of the 5 most powerful witnessed overall by mankind. Tsunami waves of up to 39 metres were immediately ignited and caused further destruction to lives and infrastructure including level 7 meltdowns of three reactors in the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant complex. Thousands of lives have been lost or swept away and thousands more are still considered missing. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan said, “In the 65 years after the end of World War II, this is the toughest and the most difficult crisis for Japan.”

A June 22nd update from earthquake-report.com sums it up very well: “It is further proof, we are reminded, that Japan is a society of immeasurable strength. And for this it can thank ‘wa’, or harmony. This is a collective feeling close to a sense of perfection. It ensures everyone knows their place and acts accordingly. Or so the Japanese like to tell themselves – and the outside world. Yet post-tsunami Japan is far from harmonious. The bullet trains may be running, but in the fishing villages and tiny ports that litter the jagged coastline north of Sendai, thousands are surviving on aid handouts. The emergency cash promised by the government is yet to arrive”.

Wide-spread relief efforts are still going on to help Japan get back on their feet, but the road to recovery is still very long. Ganbatte.asia was created to provide netizens a place to drop words of encouragement to Japan and its people on their way to overcoming their tragedy. Take a few seconds to send your wishes.

Ganbatte, Japan! Do your best!