Right after the earthquake hit northeast Japan on March 11, the small Pacific coastal town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, was almost wiped out by the massive tsunami. Hundreds of its residents were killed, while many of the survivors lost family members, their houses and jobs.
The town has had a strong connection with the Netherlands since 1643, when a Dutch ship stopped at its port to replenish its water and food and its crew had some exchanges with the local residents.
One of the islands off the coast is named "Orandajima" (Holland Island) as a sign of friendship between the two countries, and Yamada has had a sister-town relationship with Zeist in Utrecht Province since 2000.