Dear Friends, Colleagues and Supporters around the world,

 
A new year is coming around for the third time after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. How are the people in Tohoku (Northeast Japan) doing? Will this New Year be any better than the last for them? While several reconstruction efforts are proceeding, many people do not even know when or whether they will be able to go back to their hometowns. Even the people who seem to have regained their daily life must have their own difficulties. Each of them is striving daily to create a bright future by overcoming the challenges they face in a constantly changing environment. We will continue to listen to their voices and try to transmit them as widely as possible all over the world. We are looking forward to your continued support.

 As we did last year, we would like to ask if you could kindly send some special words for the people in the Northeast Japan, who are still working hard toward their recovery. Even a few lines would be a great encouragement to them.