Walking Together with the Community
Introducing the journey we have undertaken with the people of Tohoku since the earthquake in 2011.
We have developed a variety of activities centered around concerts in one metropolis and three prefectures.
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2011
Seiko 130 Actions
In 2011, the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, Seiko celebrated its 130th anniversary. We canceled all commemorative events and launched Seiko 130 Actions, conducting over 130 reconstruction support activities in three years.
These included decontamination work in the disaster-affected areas, fundraising, and providing daily necessities to thousands of people in need. In addition to company programs, volunteer actions by both groups and individuals associated with Seiko resulted in a total of 138 activities over three years.
Norio Maeda Concert KIZUNA
As part of Seiko 130 Actions, we wanted to support people in the affected areas through the power of music, not only with material support. In August 2011, we sponsored the Norio Maeda Concert KIZUNA in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture, and in Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture. These two concerts marked the beginning of the "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan” series, which is still ongoing today.
2012
Happiness Tairyobata Concert
On May 27, 2012, the Happiness Tairyobata Concert was held in Miyako City, Iwate Pref.
About 100 Happiness Tairyobata flags with messages for disaster areas were presented to fishermen in the Miyako area.
2013
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2013 in Tohoku
In September 2013, to further expand the circle of support activities, we named our concert series "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan" and established an executive committee.
The next concerts were held in September in Ichinoseki City and Miyako City in Iwate Pref.; Fukushima City and Minamisoma City in Fukushima Pref.; and Watari Town and Kesennuma City in Miyagi Pref.
Scenes from Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture
A large fishing boat was carried inland by the tsunami and buried in the middle of the city.
The 60-meter-long, 330-ton Dai 18 Kyotoku Maru was swept three-quarters of a kilometer inland by the tsunami and jammed into the ground.
Dismantling work began around September 2013, two and a half years after the earthquake.
2014
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2014 in Tokyo
On March 11, 2014, the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held the concert in Tokyo to provide a place for both disaster victims and supporters to connect and deepen their bonds, further strengthening the power for speedy reconstruction.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2014 in Tohoku
On March 11, 2014, the third anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held the concert in Tokyo to provide a place for both disaster victims and supporters to connect and deepen their bonds, further strengthening the power for speedy reconstruction.
2015
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2015 in Tokyo
On March 11, 2015, the fourth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2015” in Tokyo.
We prepared 2015 Wa headbands, on which disaster victims wrote their thoughts, and supporters wrote their own words next to them. These were displayed on stage and in the display windows of the Wako store in Ginza.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2015 in Tohoku
The Tohoku concerts were held in September in Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Pref. and Iwaki City, Fukushima Pref., and in October in Miyako City, Iwate Pref..
2016
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2016 in Tokyo
On March 11, 2016, the fifth anniversary of the earthquake, we held "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2016” in Tokyo.
This was the 20th concert we organized in five years to connect the hearts of disaster victims and supporters through the power of music.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2016 in Tohoku
In Tohoku, we held concerts in July in Kuji City, Iwate Pref., in August in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Pref., and September in Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Pref.
Heart-design message cards connecting disaster victims and supporters were inspired by Seiko's group slogan, "Moving ahead. Touching hearts.," with passionate messages from various artists.
Scenes from Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture
Before the disaster, the white sand beaches and green pine forest of Takata Matsubara were bustling with beachgoers in the summer, and the promenade surrounded by pines was a much-loved place for citizens to relax.
The 2011 tsunami devastated the area, washing away about 70,000 pine trees. One lonely tree survived and was dubbed the "Miracle Pine.” It is estimated to be about 170 years old, and is still carefully preserved as a symbol of reconstruction.
2017
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2017 in Tokyo
On March 11, 2017, the sixth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2017” in Tokyo at the prestigious Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya.
This was the 24th edition of the concert. More than 2,000 people, from elementary school students to the elderly, gathered at the venue, praying for full rebuilding of the disaster-affected areas of Tohoku.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2017 in Tohoku
We then held follow-up concerts in Shiogama City, Miyagi Pref. and Sukagawa City, Fukushima Pref. in July, and Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Pref. in September.
Scenes from Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture
In November 2017, Seiko’s President Nakamura visited Tamagawa Junior High School in Shiogama City.
To help the school with disaster prevention, disaster prevention clocks were presented to all classes.
Meeting the students who had overcome great sadness brought tears to Nakamura's eyes.
In the commemorative photo with all the students, they wrote messages on sakura cards.
Each gaze has its own story.
2018
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2018 in Tokyo
Seven years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we held "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2018 on March 12, 2018, again at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo.
About 600 sakura (cherry blossom) cards with messages of hope for reconstruction from all over the country were displayed on stage, presenting the thoughts of disaster victims and supporters alike.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2018 in Tohoku
The Tohoku concerts were held in July in Kamaishi City, Iwate Pref., in August in Kitakata City, Fukushima Pref., and in October in Tagajo City, Miyagi Pref. The Kitakata concert marked the 30th edition of this series.
Scenes from Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture
On the tsunami evacuation route behind Kamaishi City Hall, people were seen clinging to nets, staring blankly as the city was swallowed by the massive whirlpool of the tsunami.
In 2018, the same place had beautiful new buildings telling the story of its scars.
Scenes from Unosumai, Iwate Prefecture
Unosumai Town, suffered catastrophic damage from the tsunami.
By July 2018, houses and schools were gradually being built and rebuilt. In the distance, the sea is usually calm and gentle, but in 2011 it rose up and wiped out most of this town.
The Unosumai Rugby Stadium, which was under construction at the time, later hosted the Rugby World Cup.
People from around the world came to celebrate not only sport, but also the rebirth of a place devastated by nature only a few short years before.
2019
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2019 in Tokyo
On March 11, 2019, the eighth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2019” was held in Tokyo at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya. Artists responded to the idea of helping victims of the disaster regain some sense of normal, "everyday life” through the power of music, and performed moving songs from the heart.
Approximately 400 message cards, imagining a row of cherry blossoms, were displayed in the Wako show window, and at exactly 14:26 on March 11, the Bell of Remembrance tolled out 11 times over one minute.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2019 in Tohoku
In September, the “Sound of Wa” concert was held in in Matsushima Town, Miyagi Pref. and Soma City, Fukushima Pref., and in October in Tono City, Iwate Pref.. This latter concert marked the 35th edition of the event.
It is said that the night of the earthquake, March 11, 2011, was a clear sky, full of stars. At the Tono City event, people wrote their hopes and dreams on message cards as if wishing upon a star. Artists who had recently joined the concert tour also included deeply emotional messages of support for the people of the affected areas.
Scenes from Tono City, Iwate Prefecture
Tono City, which is located inland, was not affected by the tsunami, but it suffered damage from the earthquake, including collapsed buildings and disrupted lifelines. However, it quickly began supporting the coastal disaster areas and became a base for relaying relief supplies from all over the country. Immediately after the earthquake, food was distributed in the foyer in front of the Tono Civic Center's large hall.
Eight years and seven months later, "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan" was held there, performing for a packed audience.
2020
Courtesy Visit to Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture
In 2015, "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan" was held in Minamisanriku Town. At that time, local children energetically performed on stage, playing the sanshin (an Okinawan version of the more common samisen), taught by Self-Defense Force members who came all the way from Okinawa to show their support for the people of the area. Seiko CEO and executive committee chairman Hattori revisited the town and walked around to confirm the status of reconstruction efforts.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2020 in Tokyo
Due to the impact of the COVID virus, the 2020 "Sound of Wa Concert” in Tokyo was held without an audience on October 5 at Orchard Hall and delivered the power of music nationwide through live streaming.
2021
The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2021 in Nippon Budokan ── Ten Years Since That Day
March 11, 2021, marked ten years since the disaster. For this milestone event, Seiko organized "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2021” in Nippon Budokan, one of the largest and most famous halls in the country. This gala show delivered the healing power of music to a giant audience.
2022
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2022 in Tokyo
Due to remaining concerns about the pandemic, "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2022” was held with a limited live audience for the first time in three years at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2022 in Tohoku
The Tohoku concerts were held live for the first time in three years, performing in Yamada Town, Iwate Pref., and Shinchi Town, Fukushima Pref. in September, and in Shichigahama Town, Miyagi Pref. in October. The concert in Shinchi Town marked the 40th edition of this series.
2023
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2023 in Tokyo
In March 2023, the 42nd edition of "The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan" was held at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo.
The theme was "Connecting People with Smiles," creating a warm feeling in the venue that spread the Wa of smiles connecting all generations and connecting Tokyo with Tohoku.
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2023 in Tohoku
"The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2023 in Tohoku" was held in September in Tono City, Iwate Pref., and in October in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Pref. and in Soma City, Fukushima Pref..
2024
The Sound of “Wa” Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2024 in Tokyo
"The Sound of Wa Concert to Support Eastern Japan 2024" was held at the Tokyo International Forum, the largest venue to date. The concert was also simultaneously streamed on the SEIKO HOUSE screen in Ginza.
