Memorials Held for Victims of 2018 Rain Disaster in Japan; 300 Candles Spell Out ‘2024,’ Character For ‘Prayer’
12:47 JST, July 7, 2024
KURASHIKI, Okayama — Memorial ceremonies for the more than 300 people who died as a result of torrential rains in 2018 were held in the hardest-hit prefectures of Hiroshima and Okayama on Saturday.
About 300 candles were lit to form the year “2024” and the kanji character for “inori,” meaning prayer, in the parking lot of the Mabi branch of the city hall in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. A total of 74 people died in the Mabicho district due to flooding and other causes in the 2018 disaster.
The memorial has been held since 2019 by a residents group created to pass on the memories of the disaster to future generations. About 70 people, including people affected by the disaster, remembered the victims in front of the candles on Saturday.
“I want to continue this event, even on a small scale, to remember the disaster and affirm the importance of human life,” said a 54-year-old woman who belongs to the residents group. Her house was destroyed by flooding.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Typhoon Bebinca Could Approach Southern Japan In Days; Heavy Storms Expected from Saturday (Update 1)
-
Typhoon Cimaron Forms South of Japan; Expected to Move Closer to Kyushu, Shikoku in Few Days
-
Typhoon Jebi, Typhoon Krathon Approaching Japan; Impact on Eastern Japan, Okinawa is Concerning
-
Boy Stabbed Near Japanese School in China’s Shenzhen Dies; Tension Builds in Japanese Community (Update 1)
-
Typhoon Pulasan to Approach Japan’s Nansei Islands after Wednesday
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Philippines Steps Up Defense of Northernmost Province with Eye on Possible Contingency Involving Taiwan
- Harris Widens Lead over Trump to 47%-40%, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds
- Typhoon Bebinca Could Approach Southern Japan In Days; Heavy Storms Expected from Saturday (Update 1)
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul
- Mooncake Sales in China Frosty Ahead of Fall Holidays, as Sluggish Economy and Govt Rules Take Their Toll