「心が明るくなって本当にありがたい」天皇皇后両陛下が熊本地震の被災地訪問 (26/09/30 19:00)
TKUofficial
159,647 views
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Yatsushiro City and other locations on the 30th to offer their condolences to those affected by the Kumamoto earthquakes that occurred in July.
Their Majesties observed a moment of silence in mourning for the victims and visited those still forced to evacuate.
The special aircraft carrying Their Majesties arrived at Kumamoto Airport shortly before 11:30 AM.
Many people gathered on the observation deck.
This is the first time Their Majesties have visited Kumamoto together since 1999, when they were Crown Prince and Crown Princess—a gap of 27 years.
After receiving an explanation from Governor Kimura at the airport regarding the extent of the Kumamoto earthquake damage, Their Majesties departed for Yatsushiro City, which suffered extensive damage, by helicopter of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force shortly after 1 PM.
The helicopter carrying Their Majesties arrived at a temporary helipad in the Kumagawa River Green Space.
After being greeted by Yatsushiro Mayor Taisuke Ono, Their Majesties offered a silent bow towards the disaster-stricken area.
Then, they boarded a bus and headed to an evacuation center.
Many citizens lined the route…
Their Majesties smiled and waved in response.
[Yatsushiro Citizens]
"It was wonderful. We are grateful. Just seeing their faces makes us happy."
"I hope everyone can stay cheerful and move forward."
Yatsushiro City suffered 20 fatalities in the July earthquake.
19,000 homes were damaged, and more than 700 people are still sheltering in evacuation centers.
Their Majesties visited "Sakura Juji Hall Yatsushiro," one of the evacuation centers.
Their Majesties met with 12 people, ranging in age from their 40s to 80s, who are living in the facility.
They spoke to each person individually, saying things like, "You must have had a very difficult time," "Are you injured?", and "We are so relieved that you are safe."
[Couple who met with Their Majesties]
(Koichi Tomita, 82 years old)
"Two months have passed since the earthquake, and I was gradually feeling down, but today my heart has brightened, and I am truly grateful."
(Tomoko Tomita, 81 years old)
"Your smiles were so lovely, and it really lifted my spirits."
[Disaster victims who met with Their Majesties]
(Emiko Uemura, 77 years old)
"I strongly feel their compassion for the disaster-stricken areas. I will do my best from now on."
Their Majesties also met with town association chairmen and medical workers who were involved in disaster response, offering words of appreciation.
Their Majesties' shirt and Her Majesty's jacket featured Kumamon, the PR character for Kumamoto Prefecture.
Afterward, Their Majesties visited Hikawa Town, which experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake.
I met with the 22 people who will be moving into the temporary housing complex built in the town, and spoke to each of them individually.
「心が明るくなって本当にありがたい」天皇皇后両陛下が熊本地震の被災地訪問 (26/09/30 19:00)
TKUofficial
159,647 views
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Yatsushiro City and other locations on the 30th to offer their condolences to those affected by the Kumamoto earthquakes that occurred in July.
Their Majesties observed a moment of silence in mourning for the victims and visited those still forced to evacuate.
The special aircraft carrying Their Majesties arrived at Kumamoto Airport shortly before 11:30 AM.
Many people gathered on the observation deck.
This is the first time Their Majesties have visited Kumamoto together since 1999, when they were Crown Prince and Crown Princess—a gap of 27 years.
After receiving an explanation from Governor Kimura at the airport regarding the extent of the Kumamoto earthquake damage, Their Majesties departed for Yatsushiro City, which suffered extensive damage, by helicopter of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force shortly after 1 PM.
The helicopter carrying Their Majesties arrived at a temporary helipad in the Kumagawa River Green Space.
After being greeted by Yatsushiro Mayor Taisuke Ono, Their Majesties offered a silent bow towards the disaster-stricken area.
Then, they boarded a bus and headed to an evacuation center.
Many citizens lined the route…
Their Majesties smiled and waved in response.
[Yatsushiro Citizens]
"It was wonderful. We are grateful. Just seeing their faces makes us happy."
"I hope everyone can stay cheerful and move forward."
Yatsushiro City suffered 20 fatalities in the July earthquake.
19,000 homes were damaged, and more than 700 people are still sheltering in evacuation centers.
Their Majesties visited "Sakura Juji Hall Yatsushiro," one of the evacuation centers.
Their Majesties met with 12 people, ranging in age from their 40s to 80s, who are living in the facility.
They spoke to each person individually, saying things like, "You must have had a very difficult time," "Are you injured?", and "We are so relieved that you are safe."
[Couple who met with Their Majesties]
(Koichi Tomita, 82 years old)
"Two months have passed since the earthquake, and I was gradually feeling down, but today my heart has brightened, and I am truly grateful."
(Tomoko Tomita, 81 years old)
"Your smiles were so lovely, and it really lifted my spirits."
[Disaster victims who met with Their Majesties]
(Emiko Uemura, 77 years old)
"I strongly feel their compassion for the disaster-stricken areas. I will do my best from now on."
Their Majesties also met with town association chairmen and medical workers who were involved in disaster response, offering words of appreciation.
Their Majesties' shirt and Her Majesty's jacket featured Kumamon, the PR character for Kumamoto Prefecture.
Afterward, Their Majesties visited Hikawa Town, which experienced a magnitude 7 earthquake.
I met with the 22 people who will be moving into the temporary housing complex built in the town, and spoke to each of them individually.