Activities carried out in the first year --- April 2006 to March 2007
1. Through website and other media, we introduced the activities of individuals and groups participating in our project to the wider public.
2. As an effort to help enhance traditional Japanese sensitivities and strengthen family bonds, we hosted a small letter-reading gathering at Meijiya's Chez Mortier restaurant in Hiroo, Tokyo.
Responses from individual members and supporting corporations
1. In March, sponsored by a supporting corporate member DoCoMo's Hacchobori shop, we distributed portable letter sets which consists of postcards, letter paper and envelopes, all made of authentic hand-made Japanese paper, to the customers who purchased mobile phones in Asakusa area. The public response was very favorable, as this activity was perceived to be helpful for rediscovering warm family ties. Thanks to the insight of the company's president, this valuable social contribution that helps convey the culture and history of the community to the next generation living in a global age was made possible. This activity is highly regarded by the officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in charge of social education, as well as businesspersons belonging to chambers of commerce and intellectuals in related fields.
2. Mr. Masafumi Akikawa, who expressed his support to our letter writing movement and offered his cooperation last fall, told us that he would decide whether he would use letters or e-mail for each occasion. The notable tenor also said that he had kept important letters in a suitcase. Many people in the audience seemed impressed by his flexible use of handwritten letters that could express very personal feelings and modern IT devices that could transmit realistic images and sound with great speed. After "An Evening of Memorable Letters," some of the participants wrote to us that they were so moved by his speech that they also determined to write letters to those who are in hospitals, friends and parents.
"Let's write letters by hand!"
And make unforgettable summer memories of heart-to-heart communication with your old friends and family!
1. "An Evening of Memorable Letters"
October 27, 2006 On this day designated as Printed Culture Day, we held "An Evening of Memorable Letters" at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. Popular tenor, Mr. Masafumi Akikawa sang "Sen no kaze ni natte" (a song written to a poem "Do not stand at my grave and weep") and other songs and read letters. Mr. Akira Tago talked about” warm heart & good communication” followed by dinner. In a friendly atmosphere of the night, one hundred regular and supporting members renewed their appreciation of the benefits the letters bring to us. Many commented that they really enjoyed peaceful and soothing time.
We received conglaturatory telegram messages from Ms. Eriko Yamatani (journalist, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister) and Mr. Kenji Ogiwara (two-time Olympic gold medal skier). Mentioning many letters he received and the great encouragement he got from them, Mr. Ogiwara expressed his firm belief in the power a letter can generate .. |
