This year marks 31 years since the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 17 January 1995. As a school in Kobe, this date is an important moment for our community. We pause to remember those who lost their lives and all those whose homes, families and futures were changed by the events of that morning.

Our children learn about the impact of the earthquake on local people, schools and neighbourhoods. They hear how communities came together to support one another and how volunteers from across Japan arrived to help. This shared response is often described as the beginning of a new volunteering culture in Japan, and it remains a powerful example of compassion in action.

We also reflect on the remarkable rebirth of the city since 1995. Today’s Kobe is a living sign of resilience, planning and hope. By learning about the rebuilding of homes, infrastructure and community life, children can see that even after great loss, it is possible to recover and create something strong and new.

For our young learners, this memorial is not only about looking back. It teaches empathy for those who suffer, respect for the strength of local communities and an understanding of why disaster preparedness matters. It encourages them to think about how they, too, can contribute to the safety and wellbeing of others.

By remembering the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake each year, we honour the past while guiding our learners to become thoughtful, compassionate and responsible members of their city and the wider world.