March 11, 2013

• Statement by Ambassador Roos
• Statement by Secretary of State John Kerry
• U.S. Giving for Japan Disaster Exceeds $710 Million
• "American View" on 3.11 Clean-up Efforts
• A Shared Mission: U.S., Japan Help Quake Survivors Rebuild Lives (Slideshow)

Statement by Ambassador Roos on the Second Anniversary of the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

Ambassador Roos visits Tohoku residents on March 23, 2011.

In the two years that have passed since the tragic events of March 11, 2011, we have all experienced a range of emotions: grief at the terrible loss of life; inspiration from the remarkable resilience of the Japanese people; gratitude for the international outpouring of support for Japan; and determination to build a stronger, even more prosperous country out of the ruins of the disaster. The most important emotion, however, is hope.

While we will never forget the events of that day two years ago, we also look forward to a brighter future for Japan. There are undeniable signs of progress throughout the affected area. We see hope in the eyes of the young boys and girls from Tohoku who are planning their future careers. We see hope in the imagination of local entrepreneurs, seeking innovative ways to improve their communities. And we see hope in the faces of the teachers, the police officers and firefighters, the civic leaders, and citizens from all walks of life who are committed to rebuilding their towns and their lives.

Today, we honor the memory of all the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and we pay tribute to the brave men and women who worked so selflessly to come to the aid of their fellow citizens during the tragedy. This year, and every year, the United States will continue our steadfast support to the people of Japan.