Tunisian President Marzouki Mourns Victims of Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

The nearly 20,000 victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan last year were mourned last night in a solemn ceremony attended by nearly fifty diplomatic guests at the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Carthage.

Among those signing the condolence book was President Moncef Marzouki, who attended but did not make any remarks, according to Tunisian government protocol.

“On behalf of the Tunisian people, I present my condolences to the great Japanese people on the first anniversary of the great catastrophe that came to them. I ask God to protect the Japanese people, to prevent any new possible disaster that may occur,” Marzouki wrote in Arabic.

Japanese Ambassador Toshiyuki Taga thanked all Tunisians who mourned for the Japanese people who suffered during the disaster. He recognized the support and encouragement Japan received after the disaster from all over the world. He was particularly touched by the reaction from Tunisia, as the country was going through a uniquely turbulent time, having just gone through an uprising which took hundreds of Tunisian lives.

“The Tunisian government, although it was still going through a difficult time right after the revolution, took the pains to send ten tons of canned tuna to the victims [in impacted areas],” he said. In addition to the canned tuna, the Tunisian Embassy staff in Tokyo dispatched a team that distributed emergency supplies and freshly cooked plates of couscous for victims in the city of Ishinomaki.

Taga stated his appreciation for all the Tunisian expressions of condolences and contributions to the monumental relief effort, large and small. He cited the actions of Etoile Sportive du Sahel, a Tunisian football team, who displayed a banner reading “Gambare Nippon,” meaning ‘Go Japan,’ in their first match after the disaster. He also spoke warmly of the staff members at the African Development Bank, who raised 30,000 Euros in donations to send to the relief effort.

“I was particularly touched to see some forty Tunisian citizens who gathered in front of the embassy to express their solidarity with the Japanese people. I would like to take this opportunity to express once again our deep appreciation for such a display of solidarity,” Taga declared.

Yukihiro Araki, the director general of the Tunisian branch of Japanese electronics company NEC, spoke on behalf of the association of nearly 200 Japanese citizens living in Tunisia, mentioning the warmth he experienced from ordinary Tunisians while walking down the street in Tunisia in the aftermath of the disaster.

“After finding out I was Japanese, so many asked me if my friends and family were safe after the disaster. I really appreciated that kindness,” he said.

According to Taga, the disaster made the Japanese people realize the great importance of Japan’s friendship with the international community.

Last May the Japanese foreign minister declared the earthquake and tsunami disaster would not alter the government’s support for development projects in Africa.

The recovery efforts in Japan have largely succeeded, according to Taga. Infrastructure is quickly being rebuilt, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is being decommissioned, and Japan is open again for business, study and tourism.

According to an official in the Tunisian Foreign Ministry, Japan has provided Tunisia with the second most development assistance projects of any other country after France.