On the Road to Recovery: The People of America and Kumamoto Join Together is a beautiful clip that encourages the people of Kumamoto to be positive during recovery efforts.
April 16th, 2017 marks the one-year anniversary since the mainshock of a series of earthquakes that devastated parts of Kumamoto, Japan. In anticipation of the anniversary, the U.S. Embassy Tokyo & Consulates in Japan posted an upbeat video message of support last week for a speedy recovery to the region, which included showcasing some highlights of Kumamoto for the rest of the world to see.
Furthermore, this video features the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia providing a cover version of “Kumamoto Surprise!,” an earlier song composed by Bombo Fujii. Check out the full video below:
The video opens with several shots of U.S. Marine Corps Japan and U.S. Air Force Japan servicemembers, along with American civilians living in Kumamoto all lending their words of encouragement. Ikuo Kabashima, the current governor of Kumamoto Prefecture, even makes a special appearance at 0:43, as do various prefectural mascots, local people, Mount Aso (the largest active volcano in Japan), and Sakitsu Village in Amakusa (a town historically linked to Christian missionaries).
▼ You can even meet some members of the Kumamoto Volters, the prefecture’s professional basketball team!
Across the Pacific in the U.S., we also have glimpses of some students in the state of Montana (which holds a sister prefecture/state relationship Kumamoto Prefecture), and in San Antonio, Texas (which is a sister city of Kumamoto City) singing along.
The video’s climax arrives with the grand entrance of the bear, the myth, the legend himself–Kumamon! The beloved mascot goes on to lead a special dance in front of Kumamoto Castle.
While there’s no substitute for the hard work required for ongoing recovery efforts, hopefully this video puts a smile on the face of at least one weary resident of Kumamoto. The world is thinking of you, Kumamoto–stay strong!
Source, images: YouTube/U.S. Embassy Tokyo & Consulates in Japan
Pokémon and One Piece team up, give Luffy’s hat to Pikachu for special earthquake relief project
Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron finally has a U.S. release date and trailer, and it’s gorgeous【Video】
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
Japanese politician arrested on charges of accepting bribes to reduce number of monkeys in park
Thousands Protest McDonald’s Online Speech Policy by Tweeting: “The Chicken Tatsuta is Delicious!”
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service notebook and ceramic cake case to stores in Japan
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
What is Teru Teru Bozu? The tragic history behind the Japanese fine weather doll
Now you can be like the girls in Laid-Back Camp by renting the exact gear they use in the anime
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
7-Eleven Japan’s new baked-in-store sweet treat is only available in three parts of the country
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Peanuts and Coke becomes a viral hit in Japan, but is it a trend worth joining?
Can a downtown Tokyo super sento bathhouse beat a hotel for a one-night stay?
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says