Statue of Liberty: Symbol of Recovery

It stands upright in the midst of the rubble in the port city of Ishinomaki, where over 10,000 people are reported as missing.

A 30-feet replica statue of liberty was established in Ishinomaki by a local company. It was built as a tourist attraction due to the geographical resemblance of Ishinomaki city to Manhattan.

“I did not like the statue at all.”

Genjiro, a 55-year-old man changed his mind after the goddess saved his life. He was once swept up by tunami, but made a miracle come back.

While drifting around the rubble, he found a sweet bun among debris. “I need to get something to eat”. He picked up the bun and swallowed it with mud. Indeed, he was not able to have any food three days after then.

“I might have been dead if I did not eat it. Maybe the goddess gave it to me”, he prayed for the statue from the top of Mount Hiyori, commanding the view of the whole city.

“I hope the goddess will become the symbol of recovery”.

The deal toll is 12.321 million as of 5th April. There are still 15.347 people who are missing.

Source;

Nikkansports newspaper on 19th March, 2011.
Reuters, http://jp.reuters.com/article/domesticJPNews/idJPJAPAN-20438620110405