By Miyoko Ishigami
(with photos) IWAKI, Japan, Feb 23 (KUNA) -- Head of Japan's tsunami-stricken marine science museum said Sunday that the newly created Kuwait-Fukushima Friendship Memorial Japanese Garden is expected to become the oasis of the port it sits on.
The memorial garden was built in a show of gratitude to Kuwait for its sincere support, especially the USD 3 million donation after the 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster. "I thank His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for (the) generous donation and support from the Kuwaiti people. We wanted to demonstrate our appreciation to Kuwait in a tangible way," Aquamarine Fukushima Executive Director Yoshitaka Abe told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) in the northeastern coastal city of Iwaki, on the occasion of an opening ceremony for the garden.
Aquamarine Fukushima, located 190 km north of Tokyo, was severely damaged by a magnitude 9.0-quake and ensuring tsunami in March 2011 that left nearly 19,000 people dead or missing and crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. More than 1,600 people lost their lives in Fukushima alone. Although there were no human casualties in the marine science museum, the tsunami destroyed the electrical system, killing 90 percent of fish and marine animals in the facility.
During his state visit to Japan in March 2012, His Highness the Amir announced the grant as a surprise gift for the restoration of the aquarium and the promotion of science and technology.
The creation of the memorial garden is part of a project that is considered as the first step of acceleration of the reconstruction process, according to Abe. The 7,000 sqm-garden in front of the aquarium building features such sites as a stone monument carved the word "Salam (peace)" in Arabic, a pond and mote representing desert oasis, as well as a greenhouse that accommodates flora and fauna of Kuwaiti desert oases and art reproducing these scenes. Inside the greenhouse, the aquarium is also growing a date palm as a unique experiment to determine if it will bear fruit in the Fukushima climate.
With Kuwait's financial aid, Aquamarine Fukushima has been working on the projects to upgrade its facilities and improve visitor services, and to contribute to the recovery of the region. The memorial garden will eventually merge with the aquarium's signature "oasis" garden symbolizing the nature of Japan's Jomon Era more than 3,000 years ago.
Aquamarine Fukushima attaches great importance to "the smooth circulation of mountains, rivers, and oceans, and desires to create a balanced aquarium that combines nature and an exhibit building. One third of construction works are now complete, and the entire garden covering a 2,000 sqm area will be unveiled within several years," Abe said.
Behind the grant is aquarium's strong bond with Kuwait, particularly Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). Abe worked for KISR Fisheries Division in 1968-1969 as a researcher and has maintained friendships with Kuwaiti colleagues over decades. Following the catastrophe, KISR Director General Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi and KISR alumni members, especially KISR-FEN (Former Employees Network) Chairman Dr. Mohammed Al-Attar, stood up in support of the aquarium. Their efforts, such as coordinating the proposal to the government, made a significant contribution to realizing the much-needed donation.
KISR was established in 1967 by Tokyo-based Arabian Oil Company in fulfillment of its obligations under the oil concession agreement with the Kuwaiti government. KISR's Kuwaiti and Japanese researchers and scientists have nurtured friendships with each other and established an alumni networking community in 2005, of which Abe and KISR's first Chief Administration Officer Katsuji Tainaka are members.
Abe also showed gratitude to Kuwaiti Ambassador to Japan Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi, who attended the opening ceremony on the previous day with Dr. Al-Mutairi and Dr. Al-Attar, for his role as a bridge between Kuwait and Aquamarine Fukushima. "I hope to further deepen people-to-people exchanges between the two sides," Abe said.
Opened in 2000 on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Aquamarine Fukushima has been a popular attraction, where people of all ages can enjoy learning various mysteries of the sea. The museum was closed after the disaster, but reopened within four months, thanks to efforts by Abe and his staff, a move that has significantly raised the spirits of the local people who suffer from the natural disaster and radiation crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant.(end) mk.wsa KUNA 230932 Feb 14NNNN