One year ago today northeastern Japan was devastated by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded and the tsunami that followed. Today Tokyo’s skyline carried a message in response.

KI-ZU-NA.

Translated as “Bonds” in English, the word was beamed across the Tokyo skyline to mark the one year anniversary of the March 11th 2011 disaster. It felt like exactly the right word. Not just for the coming together of the Japanese people in their darkest hour — but for the spirit that connects people across the globe in moments of unimaginable loss.

Living here in Tokyo as this anniversary arrived gave Nicole and I a perspective we did not expect. Drawing on our own experience of September 11th in the US — the weight of that day, the importance of remembrance, the long road of healing that follows — gave us a deeper understanding of what today means for the Japanese people. The two events differ greatly in circumstance but grief and resilience speak a universal language.

One year later Japan’s displaced are still working to find their way back to a life they once knew — emotionally and physically. What strikes you living here is the determination. It feels unbreakable. The Japanese people have committed to rebuilding and becoming stronger and you can only hope their government and local authorities honor that commitment with the same resolve.

KI-ZU-NA. Bonds. It is a simple word carrying everything.

Thanks for reading. — Adam

Lots of interesting reads: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/japan-earthquake-anniversary
NKK clip and story: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120311_02.html

Q: What does Kizuna mean in Japanese? A: Kizuna (絆) means bonds or ties in Japanese — referring to the connections between people. It was chosen as Japan’s word of the year in 2011 following the earthquake and tsunami as a symbol of the unity and support shown during the disaster.

Q: How did Tokyo mark the one year anniversary of the 2011 earthquake? A: The word Kizuna was illuminated across the Tokyo skyline on March 11th 2012 as a message of hope and remembrance marking one year since the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

Q: How did the 2011 Japan earthquake affect Tokyo? A: While the earthquake’s epicenter was off the coast of Tohoku in northeastern Japan Tokyo experienced significant shaking and disruption. The city was largely spared the catastrophic damage suffered by coastal communities in the northeast.

Q: What was the scale of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami? A: The Tohoku earthquake on March 11th 2011 measured 9.0 magnitude making it the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. The resulting tsunami caused catastrophic damage to coastal communities and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Q: How did Japan recover from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami? A: Recovery has been a long and ongoing process. Communities were rebuilt, displaced residents gradually returned and Japan demonstrated remarkable resilience. The spirit of Kizuna — bonds between people — became a defining symbol of the national recovery effort.