65 Pct Feel Memories of March 2011 Disaster Fading: Jiji Poll

Tokyo, March 9 (Jiji Press)–In a Jiji Press opinion poll conducted in February, 65.4 pct of respondents said their memories of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which mainly struck northeastern Japan, were fading. Asked whether their memories of the disaster are fading, 12.8 pct said they feel so very strongly, while 52.6 pct said they feel so. In contrast, 4.1 pct said they do not feel that way at all and 26.8 pct said they do not feel that way very much, according to the survey, which was conducted ahead of Wednesday’s 15th anniversary of the disaster. In a question asking respondents to select answers from seven options, the largest proportion, 53.1 pct, picked “watch related news coverage, documentaries and personal accounts,” followed by “discuss experiences and memories from the disaster with family members or friends,” which was selected by 28.2 pct. “View related exhibits and other materials” was picked by 23.2 pct, while “make donations to support reconstruction efforts” was chosen by 22.7 pct, “share experiences and memories of the disaster” by 16.6 pct, “visit disaster-affected areas or disaster ruins” by 15.7 pct, and “participate in volunteer activities in disaster-hit areas” by 8.5 pct. The interview survey was conducted for four days through Feb. 16 and covered 2,000 people aged 18 or over across the country. Valid responses came from 55.7 pct. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]