Floral Character for Life Memorializes Tragic Derailment 18 Years Ago
20:00 JST, April 4, 2023
AMAGASAKI, Hyogo — The kanji character for “life” had been formed with flowers in a field near the site of one of Japan’s deadliest train derailments, ahead of the 18th anniversary of the crash that killed 106 in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture.
The flowers in memory of the deceased are from Japanese radish plants planted in a field along the JR Fukuchiyama Line track about 150 meters north of the site of the tragedy that occurred on April 25, 2005.
Hirofumi Hagimoto, a 69-year-old resident of the area, began planting the radishes in patterns of kanji characters in 2015. In autumn of last year, he planted the seeds in the shape of “sei,” meaning life. The flowers have come into full bloom about a week earlier than usual.
“I hope that people living now and those born in the future will see the character and it gives them pause to think about the accident,” Hagimoto said.
"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)
- Mooncake Sales in China Frosty Ahead of Fall Holidays, as Sluggish Economy and Govt Rules Take Their Toll
- Japan-S. Korea Exchange Festival Held in Seoul