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Yomiuri Shimbun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Emperor, Empress Visit Area Hit by 2014 Landslide in Hiroshima; Imperial Couple Pay Respects to Victims
Pool photo / The Yomiuri Shimbun The Emperor and Empress bow near a check dam in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday. HIROSHIMA — The Emperor and Empress observed an area devastated 11 years ago by massive landslides caused by heavy rain, in Asaminami Ward, Hiroshima, on Friday morning. The August 2014 landslides claimed the lives of 77 people, including those whose deaths occurred after the disaster but resulted from it. The Emperor and Empress made the visit as part of a trip to Hiroshima Prefecture. They observed a check dam, which was constructed to prevent disasters ***like the one in 2014***, in the Yagi district of the ward. They also listened to an official from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry who explained that such dams are effective for flood control. The official also said that 23 people were killed near the site. The Imperial couple bowed silently twice, first toward the residential area where the victims perished and then upstream. The Imperial couple then went to the Hiroshima City Torrential Rain Disaster Memorial Center and looked at displays on the lessons learned from the disaster and on reconstruction efforts. They were to return to Tokyo on Friday afternoon. On Thursday, the Emperor and Empress paid their respects to the dead at the Cenotaph for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb and met with hibakusha. In the evening, the Imperial couple released their written impressions of the first day of their Hiroshima trip, in which they expressed sympathy for the victims. 'Thinking of the pain felt by the people in Hiroshima until now, we have renewed our wish for peace,' they wrote. The text also described their deep respect for the hibakusha, who have overcome difficulties and are tirelessly speaking out about their experiences and the importance of peace. The Emperor and Empress also found young people's efforts to pass down the experiences of the hibakusha 'very meaningful.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas gun violence prevention groups advocate for 'common-sense gun safety reforms'
The Brief Texas gun violence prevention groups gathered at the State Capitol They are advocating for "common-sense gun safety reforms" Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez has filed several bills to change the age from 18 to 21 to buy a gun AUSTIN, Texas - Texas gun violence prevention groups gathered at the State Capitol on Thursday. They are advocating for what they call 'common sense gun safety reforms.' Statistics show that each year, more than 4,000 people die by guns in Texas. Local perspective "It was like any other day until it wasn't," mass shooting survivor Mireya Rodriguez said. Almost two years ago, Rodriguez was working at the Allen Premium Outlet Mall in North Texas. "I'll never forget the sounds of rapid fire, gunshots, people screaming, sirens blaring from every direction. It wasn't until I was leaving the mall, after having seen the deceased gunman myself, that I realized I survived a mass shooting," Rodriguez said. Eight people were killed, including Rodriguez's friend. Rodriguez said she is now using her second chance to try to make a difference. What they're saying Rodriguez, as well as others with gun safety organizations, chanted along the sidewalk on Thursday then walked through a sea of T-shirts representing people who have died from gun violence. "Each and every one of these T-shirts represents somebody, a community member, a family member, a loved one, a child whose lives have been lost to the scourge upon the state of Texas," Team ENOUGH Youth Advocacy Coordinator Jasir Rahman said. At the steps of the Capitol, they advocated for what they call common-sense gun safety measures. "As a Texan, born and raised, I get how much our state values the Second Amendment and that's okay, because at the end of the day, we can all get behind wanting to keep ourselves, our families and our community safe, but allowing guns, let alone weapons of war like the AR-15 that was used at my Allen Mall to be carried anywhere by anyone at any time makes nobody safer," Rodriguez said. Dig deeper Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez has filed several bills this legislative session to designate May 24th as Victims of the Uvalde Shooting Day. Also, to raise the age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, to require background checks and a three-day waiting period to access certain guns, to create a compensation fund for school violence victims, to ban 3-D gun printing, and to require safe storage of guns. "We have to stop this madness that isn't normal," Senator Gutierrez said. Senator Gutierrez filed similar bills last session, but they failed to move forward. The Source Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Meredith Aldis
