Apr 26, 2011
Suntory Flowers Thanks Industry for Earthquake SupportSource: Suntory Flowers

Shigeru Sarada, managing director of Suntory Flowers, issues a letter of thanks to the industry for those who contributed to the relief efforts following the devastating Pacific earthquake and tsunami.

Dear everyone in the industry who made donations for the Pacific earthquake in Japan,

Today, I’d like to represent the people of Japan and thank everyone for taking such speedy actions with generous donations to the victims and sufferers of the Pacific earthquake that hit Japan on March 11th. As you know, this earthquake is unparalleled in our history and caused tremendous loss of people’s lives, facilities, business activities, beautiful sceneries and infrastructure, which took such a long time to build.

With unprecedented energy 180 times bigger than the massive Hanshin Earthquake, which took place close to Kobe 16 years ago, the damage was devastating. Still, thousands are missing and so many people are forced to live in evacuation centers with no homes or even no families to go back to.

We are going through pain and sorrow as if a part of our body was ripped off, but from your support and good will, we have regained our courage to face up to reconstruction activities that will probably take several decades to complete. Today, we appreciate the sympathy and tenderness from people all over the world more than ever before. Once again, I’d like to send my most sincere thanks for your enthusiastic support and kindness. Now is the time for all Japanese to get together and for each one of us to do our best to overcome the tragedy. I believe Japan will be able to make an extremely valuable contribution to the world again in the near future. We will reconstruct and meet the challenge of these difficult times.

Best Regards,

Shigeru Sarada, Managing Director