#Japan #Tokyo #3.11 #Earthquake Recovery #Civic Force

Remembering the Great East Japan Earthquake

As we mark the approaching 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, many voices are being raised to remember the resilience and strength shown by those affected. In this spirit, Civic Force, a respected independent public interest organization, has announced its third public call for messages in the series titled #My311—Share Your Message in 15 Characters. This initiative follows two previous campaigns, the 2024 3.11 Haiku Contest and the 2025 Tohoku Favorite Spot Awards.

Starting from January 15th to February 16th, people whose lives have been touched by the disaster, regardless of their age or location, are encouraged to submit their heartfelt messages. This initiative aims to bridge generations and foster dialogue about the experiences and feelings surrounding that tragic day. Whether you witnessed the event firsthand or only learned about it from stories, your contribution is valuable and welcomed.

Submission Guidelines

To participate, individuals can submit their messages via the application form or by scanning the provided QR code. Each individual is allowed to send up to five entries, and it’s important to adhere to certain guidelines during submission. The maximum character count is strictly 15, including punctuation and special characters.

Examples of submissions include:

• - "15 years, let’s walk together from now on"
• - "Prayers, learning, and preparation for the future"
• - "Keep watching over us"

Deadline: Entries must be submitted by 5 PM on February 16, 2026.

Awards and Recognition

The campaign will recognize outstanding submissions, with awards including:

• - One Grand Prize
• - One Excellence Award
• - One Youth Award for students
• - Two Honorable Mentions

Winners will receive a choice between a catalog gift related to Tohoku’s recovery efforts or a catalog gift for disaster prevention supplies.

The results will be announced by early March 2026 on the Civic Force website, and winners will be contacted via email. Selected works will not only be honored but will also serve as official slogans for Civic Force’s Dream Support - Tohoku NPO Partner Collaboration Project for 2026.

In addition to recognition, the 15-character messages submitted will be transformed into disaster preparedness cards, helping to keep the memory of the experiences and lessons learned from March 11, 2011, alive through accessible materials.

The Importance of Sharing Messages

Civic Force has been actively involved in disaster recovery efforts since the earthquake struck on March 11, 2011, and has developed various programs aimed at supporting local initiatives. Central to their mission are three themes: community building, issues surrounding Fukushima and nuclear power, and the transmission of memories. The latter emphasizes the importance of remembering the lessons learned from the disaster and the importance of resilience.

By inviting the community at large to share their messages, Civic Force hopes not only to honor the memories of victims but also to raise awareness about ongoing recovery efforts and encourage future preparedness. This campaign creates a platform for dialogue about the impact of the earthquake, fostering solidarity and understanding across generations.

Join Civic Force in this meaningful initiative and share your message to honor the past while looking toward a hopeful future. For more information, visit Civic Force's website.

Your voice matters, and together, we can continue to learn from the past and support those still affected by the tragedy.