Good morning everyone.
My name is Kaoru Kitamura from Universe.
I think you can guess from the title what I am going to write here.
It's going to be a long sentence, and I'm talking to myself, so I'd appreciate it if you could read it.

At this time 22 years ago, we were hit by an earthquake that we had never experienced before.

 

Dawn

 

Along with a tremendous rumbling of the earth, a violent shaking that pushed up came.

The tremor, which lasted for 10 seconds or even 10 minutes, destroyed the city of Kobe in an instant.

 

I crawled in the dark over fallen furniture or whatever,

I desperately wanted to go to my family anyway.

Luckily, my house was not destroyed and my family was safe.

With its heinous destructive power that far surpasses his own experience and imagination,

For the first time in my life, my body trembled from the bottom up with genuine fear.

We are nothing in front of the overwhelming power of nature.

It was the first time in my life that I thought, "Ah, I'm going to die here."

 

Immediately after the main quake, after barely receiving a single phone call from my maternal grandmother in Tokyo to confirm my safety,

No phone calls at all.

As for the safety of my paternal grandparents who live in Nagata Ward, I was addicted to the safety information on the TV, but I didn't know.

A few days later, when the train was partially restored, I walked a few stops to my grandparents' house and was able to confirm it for the first time.

 

And, for the first time in my life, I saw the signboards of "mortuary" here and there in the city.

The asphalt on the road is rippling, and there are only pillars of burnt houses.

I was at a loss for words when I witnessed a scene that I had only seen in war photographs.

 

After that, I was frightened by aftershocks and irresponsible rumors.

In fact, that was an aftershock, and the main quake will come a month later, with even more tremendous tremors.

Such rumors flew around.

 

At home, the water supply was stopped, but electricity and gas were still available.

I went to the water tanker or the park to get water, or stood in line at the pay phone.

 

I only got along with my neighbors just to say hello,

At this time, although it seems that I want to rush to the water tanker,

They go out of their way to call out to neighbors, "Where's the water truck?!"

They also distribute water and supplies.

If there is an elderly person, we will take care of them, share food and supplies,

Kobe achieved reconstruction through mutual encouragement.

 

Of course, before the earthquake, the city was so financially prosperous that it was called "Kobe City Co., Ltd."

It may be because I had the means,

With a strong will and effort to crawl up and survive,

Is it not because we have worked hard for reconstruction?

 

Many people lost their lives in the disaster itself.

Many people lost their lives to save lives.

And elderly people who died alone in temporary housing.

Adults at the time who worked day and night for the reconstruction, forgetting to eat and sleep.

We are who we are today thanks to many people.

There is myself who is about to forget that.

 

I now return to Kobe several times a year.

For those who visit Kobe for the first time, it's hard to believe that it was once hit by an earthquake.

No one would think it was a devastated city.

There are times when I myself tend to forget.

 

Luminarie started, Ichiro played an active part and won,

Kobe made a dramatic recovery.

People are amazing, Kobe is amazing.

 

I will be indebted to Kobe again.

We apologize if any of the content is offensive.

It is a personal recollection to the last, and it is content that has nothing to do with the universe,

I apologize.

 

Universe Kobe

Kaoru Kitamura

Dating club "Universe Club" is recruiting male and female members all over the country.
Membership registration is free, but interviews and screenings are required.
For details, please contact the local concierge

Click here to apply for membership on LINE
Men↓

Female↓