We Are Japan

March 13, 2011

My deepest sympathy goes out to the people of Japan. Ever since the disaster--giant earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident it triggered--I have received heartfelt sympathy from many friends of mine; I thank them for their concern and compassion.

In the aftermath of March 11th, I confirmed safety of almost all friends of mine in Tokyo, Saitama, and Chiba. I could call my mother, living in the northern part of Tokyo, and she said that she and our house were just okay. My father was staying in Vietnam at that time, but as a son of him, I feel very sorry for himself and people in his hometown, Kesennuma and Sendai, where the earthquake stroke, and wish safety of victims there. Yesterday, my father and his sister (my aunt) living in Sendai could speak by phone and confirmed her safety.

The disaster has broken our heart, but yet, it has never broken our brotherhood--we are coming together, becoming stronger and prouder than ever before. I have never been more proud to be a man of Japanese heritage growing up in Japan. There is no doubt we love Japan, our very lovely homeland.

March 11th, 2011.

We Are Japan.

Nathan Oyama

日本の皆様　お見舞い申し上げます

東北地方太平洋沖地震に被災した皆様に謹んでお見舞い申し上げます。あれから東京・埼玉・千葉に住む多くの友人の安否を確認致しました。また、北埼玉在住の母も電話で無事を確認しました。父は当時ベトナムに居ましたが、父の故郷である気仙沼と仙台の惨状を想うと、とても悲しい気持ちになります。被災地の一刻も早い復旧を願うばかりです。

この災害により日本人は多くのものを失いました。しかしそれでも日本の精神は全く失われません。それどころか私達日本人は今まで以上に強く誇らしくしなっています。日系人であり、日本育ちの私にとって、美しい日本への誇りに偽りはありません。

2011. 3. 11.

小山直輝