Abbey Remembers Japan Earthquake Victims
Monday, 6th June 2011
HRH The Duke of Gloucester, patron of the Japan Society, attended The Great East Japan Earthquake Memorial Service at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 5 June 2011 at 6.30 pm.
The Dean and Chapter of Westminster also welcomed HE Mr Keiichi Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan, to the Abbey for the time of remembrance for the earthquake that devastated the north-eastern coast of Japan, on 11 March 2011.
The service was conducted by the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, and the Address was given by the Venerable Dr Michael Ipgrave, Archdeacon of Southwark. Mr Henry Bellingham MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office was also present.
During the service testimonies were given by Professor Shin-ichi Ohnuma, Professor of Ophthalmology, University College London and Helen Brittain, British Red Cross Psycho-social Support Team.
A floral tribute was laid at the Innocent Victims’ Memorial during the Act of Remembrance. In addition to a prayer of commendation offered by the Dean, Buddhist monks from Nipponzan Myohoji offered prayers for the living and the dead.
