Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta will deliver the keynote address on Sunday, March 6, at Love to Nippon, a memorial event commemorating the five-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
The event will take place on Sunday, March 6, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at the LAPD Headquarters, Ronald F. Deaton Civic Auditorium, 100 W. First St., Los Angeles.
Presented by Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC), Nichi Bei Fujin Kai (Japan America Women’s Organization) and Love to Nippon Project, this is a community-wide tribute to loved ones lost and for those still suffering from the March 11, 2011 catastrophe. This fifth annual event will be a peaceful commemoration with interfaith prayers, incense-burning, musical tributes, and outdoor information booths hosted by the American Red Cross, Home Depot, L.A. County Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate prefectural organizations. More than 1,600 participants have gathered for the last four events.
The formal indoor program, from 3 to 5:30 p.m., will feature prayers by the Shinto sector and leaders of the Nikkei Interfaith Group, including Los Angeles Buddhist Temple Federation, Centenary United Methodist Church, Union Church of Los Angeles, and N’vay Shalom Synagogue; and musical tributes from Nishiyamato Elementary/Junior High School and Holiness Youth Choir.
A panel discussion will feature Mineta, LACFD Chief Daryl L. Osby, LACFD Battalion Chief Larry Collins, Masako Unoura-Tanaka, founder of Love to Nippon Project, and a representative of the Ofunato Fire Department in Iwate. Consul General Harry Horinouchi, honorary committee chair, will offer closing remarks.
Seating is limited. Early reservations are recommended. For more information, call (310) 484-1800 or email lovetonippon2016@gmail.com.