The support to rebuilding seen by the Japan Sommeliers Association
On March 11th 2011, Japan has been struck by an earthquake of unprecedented magnitude that caused a tsunami and an accident in the nuclear power station. This powerful earthquake has not only taken away thousands of precious lives but also instantaneously destructed daily life and inner peace.
What should we do facing the victims' sadness and despair? What can we do by ourselves? These are the questions that everybody asked himself many times since that day.
Even if there are no victims among our 8,000 members, we have received demands for help appealing to our social role, a support that remains far under the essential needs of the victims. We thus decided to undertake the following actions:
1 - Make an inventory, then establish donation sharing rules.
2 - Call for donations in order to give them to the Red Cross.
3 - Edit stickers of support for bottles of wine collecting JPY20 per unit.
4 - Organize explanatory events or seminars.
We intend to participate in the rebuilding and give courage to Japan by organizing, during a meal, tastings of wines and sakes during which we will communicate about the worst problems of the victims.
As you know the 14th World's Best Sommelier Contest will take place in Tokyo in March 2013. In the meantime we will manage to raise the level of our country's wine market, without forgetting our long-term support to the victims. We will lavish our encouragements and tighten our kizuna—friendship link.
These disasters left marks and cast a lot of shadow on our life, even far away from the affected regions. That is why we hope more than ever to participate in the reconstruction of Japan, by relying on the asset of our long established network.
L’Association des Sommeliers du Japon
Members of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale,
Board of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale, Friends sommeliers,
the triple disaster that struck Japan on March 11th leaves dramatic aftermaths.
Personally I have been awfully shocked to see these images broadcasted on television and could not believe it. It nearly was a horror film. And when the impossible occurs, it is not easy, as a man, to react well immediately.
However, support, donations and encouragements have been sent from worldwide from the very first moment. Thinking about such a moral comfort felt by the victims, I am moved to tears, still today, with a feeling of joy and gratitude.
I have also received a lot of letters of sympathy from the members of the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale. Numerous partner firms also expressed their solidarity.
I would like to thank them and present them my sincere gratitude in the name of the Japan Sommeliers Association.
Although slow, the first steps toward rebuilding have already begun. On April 12th, three months after the earthquake that hit the city of Morioka, a wine fair—Iwate Morioka Wine Party—has been organized in collaboration with local sommeliers and barmen, as well as restaurant owners and people in connection with wine. More than 600 people have been gathered for this exceptional occasion and we have appreciated meal and music, sung, and laughed together, sharing a good moment of conviviality.
Of course, this cocktail party being a charity event, the participants' unwavering will to strive for reconstruction has been transmitted to the guests and strongly impressed the members of Japan Sommeliers Association and myself. The power of wine is strong. It is a first momentum to renewal.
Japan Sommelier Association
Bld.4F - 17-3, Kanda higashimatsushitacho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0042
Tel. +81 3 3256 2020
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