When I heard the news that my home was hit by a massive earthquake I immediately took out my phone and tried to call my wife and children in Sendai, but I couldn't reach them. It was heartbreaking until after five long days I finally got in touch with them. I flew back to Japan to see my family and also to volunteer. I can’t tell you how anguishing it was to see my old home turned into tragic chaos. Everything was destroyed and transformed into rubble. It was clear that the recovery would take a long time and a great effort.

I don't want to say "ganbare" or 'chin up' to the earthquake and tsunami victims, as they are already doing the best they can to get back on their feet. Instead I would like to show my support in a more concrete way, and that is why I joined the Dine Out campaign. Little by little, slowly but surely, we will recover together from this disaster. Thank you Dine Out for Japan, for letting me be a part of this effort.

Chef Kenzo Kikuchi
Sapporo Restaurant

Already a year has passed since the Tohoku earthquake, but I know that people in the region continue to suffer from the disaster. I didn't just want to sit here and say "keep your chin up" to those people, so I decided to join the Dine Out effort in New York, hoping that I could offer some small help to my home country. I pray the Tohoku region and its people have as swift a recovery as possible, and can rebuild their homes and lives.

Chef Koji Hagihara
Hakata Tonton

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those who continue to suffer from last year's terrible tragedy in Tohoku. The hardships they are facing defy imagination.

Already one year has past since the earthquake, but still great numbers of it's residents face terrible conditions daily. We pray that their lives will return to some semblance of health and normality as soon as possible. While we are far away in the U.S., our hearts are with those in Tohoku, and we hope to do what we can to help them in whatever small way. We are sure the dauntless spirit of the Japanese people will overcome this tragedy.

Chef Norimitsu Nishida
Misoya