Memorial ceremonies Jan. 17 marked the 19th anniversary of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, which devastated Kobe and the surrounding area, resulting in the loss of 6,434 lives.
Survivors of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami joined Kansai residents at the ceremonies, observing a moment of silence at 5:46 a.m., the minute the quake hit in 1995.
Mayor Kizo Hisamoto asked the public to keep up preparations for another major disaster, calling it "our duty as the rebuilders of Kobe." (Kyodo)
6,434人が亡くなった阪神・淡路大震災から19年目を迎えた1月17日、被害を受けた地域では地震が起きた午前5時46分に合わせて犠牲者に黙とうをささげた。
The Japan Times ST: January 31, 2014