[VORTRAG] Botschafter S.E. Makoto TAKETOSHI: Integrating Memories for Future Generations - Japanese Experiences

13.05.2016

Mi., 18. Mai 2016, 18:45 Uhr

In 1934, Torahiko Terada, a physicist, voiced his opinion that “natural disasters cannot be prevented by human powers while wars can be prevented.” Terada's most famous caveat, “A natural disaster strikes when people lose the memory of the previous one,” urges people to prepare for the future, but history repeats itself again and again.

This presentation reviews the characteristics of major disasters such as the severe earthquake which struck Japan on March 11, 2011, in chronological order. How did the Japanese people react at difficult times? What are the lessons and implications for future generations? And a question of particular importance for Japan: What is the role of the Emperor in all of this? The Emperor and the Empress continue visiting devastated areas of catastrophes in order to encourage people. They also visit overseas Japanese battlefields of the past for offering their prayers. The recent publication of The historiography of Showa Emperor reveals some of the unknown stories before and during the war.

Please note that the location differs slightly from our usual event location:

Universitätscampus Hof 2, Spitalgasse 2, 1090 Wien, Hörsaalzentrum, Hörsaal C2