Up above is a link to a video saying arigato (thank you) from some of the citizens of Japan for the assistance after their 3/11/11 devastating 9.0 earthquake/massive tsunami last year on March 11, 2011. More about this tragedy, read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Japan_earthquake.

The Japanese National Police Agency confirmed 15,848 deaths, 6,011 injured, and 3,305 people missing across eighteen prefectures, as well as over 125,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.

My 2nd/3rd cousins in Sendai survived and are fine (my maternal grandparents emigrated from that part of Japan to the Trust Territory of Hawaii in 1910).

And tomorrow, the Japanese Association of Tucson is having a Spring pot luck picnic at ramada #1 at Ft. Lowell Park (NE corner of Glenn, 2900 N. Craycroft Rd.), 11 to 2 p.m. Please send the name of all the participants from your group and/or family by e-mail (jpnassoctucson@gmail.com if you are planning on attending. They would like to make sure to prepare enough beverages).

And here’s the link (click here) for “The Tsunami & the Cherry Blossom” documentary film for the 2012 Academy Awards, nominated for best foreign language film.

Survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan’s recent tsunami find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins.

A stunning visual poem about the ephemeral nature of life and the healing power of Japan’s most beloved flower.

Directed by Academy Award Nominated filmmaker Lucy Walker (Waste Land), featuring photographyby Aaron Phillips and music by Moby.

And on the local scene, taiko drumming group Odaiko Sonora is releasing a children’s book entitled “Asako, The Girl who Saved Her Village” (about a tsunami) to commemorate the 3/11/11 tragedy. That release event is today at 4 pm. at the Tucson Festival of Books, Diamond Children’s Story Telling Stage.