Consul General Matsuda 2013

Honoring the Japanese people and the memory of all who perished or were affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, Mayor Bernero joined with the Consul General of Japan in declaring March 27th as “A Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan”. The devastating 9.0 earthquake struck Japan in March of 2011, generating a powerful tsunami that took thousands of lives, swept away entire homes, and severely damaged nuclear facilities.

On March 27th, 2013, Consul General Kuninori Matsuda of the Japanese Consulate in Detroit traveled to Lansing for the second annual public forum about the earthquake, tsunami and aftermath at MSU.  In a remembrance proclamation presented privately to Consul General Matsuda, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero stressed that the nation continues to be a model to the world of perseverance throughout the aftermath and recovery from a disaster of almost unimaginable proportions. The United States and Japan are strong allies, and the City of Lansing and Otsu, Japan share a strong and positive legacy of friendship through formal Sister City linkages almost five decades old. Because of these strong ties, the people of Lansing will always hold the victims, families and survivors affected by the earthquake and tsunami in their thoughts and prayers.