March 11 - Tohoku - 3 years on!

March 11 will mark three years since the disaster known as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent nuclear accidents. AJS NSW will commemorate the date with two speakers at a unique event.

Last year Sydney-sider and AJS member Peter Gibson walked

300 km through Tohoku – from Fukushima to Ofunato- as part of a tennis challenge and fund-raising event.

On his 48th trip to Japan he planned to walk and play tennis with the kids and families of the Tohoku region and see for himself the area so devastated by the events of March 11 2011. It was an unforgettable experience and embodied all that is good about the Tohoku region.

Mr. Masato Takaoka, the recently-arrived Consul-General of Japan in Sydney, will also provide information on the progress of reconstruction efforts in Tohoku.

Mr. Takaoka is a career diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). His most recent posting was as ambassador in Baghdad. Prior postings have included London and India, and positions in Japan as Deputy Director-General of both MOFA's Economic Affairs Bureau and then International Affairs Bureau.

Please join us to hear about reconstruction in Tohoku and its human face from Peter, and to give a warm welcome to the new Consul-General.

Registration and online payment is open here or download the form and send a cheque.