Residents in a wide area of northeastern Japan ravaged by the March 11 quake and tsunami held ceremonies Sunday, the six-month anniversary, in memory of the victims of the massive calamities.
Jin Sato, mayor of Minamisanriku, Miyagi Prefecture, one of the three prefectures most severely devastated by the disasters, spoke at a ceremony at the "Bayside Arena" gym after attendees offered silent prayers for the repose of the victims' souls.
After recounting his memories of the immediate aftermath of the tsunami that submerged a large part of his town, Sato, his voice choking with emotion, told the audience, "Although numerous hardships are awaiting us in our road toward reconstruction, let us pledge that we will build up a new town on the basis of the solidarity of our townsfolk."