News about the 921 earthquake that hit Taiwan in September continues to make headlines overseas and in Japan in particular. Having had their own close brushes with death and destruction in various earthquakes this century, the Japanese have been generous in coming to the aid of Taiwan since the temblor.
Now comes a story about two Japanese brothers, 13 and 10 -- victims of the Kobe earthquake in 1995 -- who are planning a bicycle tour around Taiwan to boost the spirits of Taiwanese children who suffered in the 921 earthquake here.
According to a news report from Tokyo, Masamichi and Naomichi Yazaki plan to spend their winter holidays next week cycling across Taiwan to meet children who were victims of the 921 quake. They also plan to visit homes for orphans who lost their parents in the disaster.
The two brothers were invited by Yang Meng-che, 41, assistant professor at National Taipei Teachers Institute. Yang believes that the brothers, who toured Japan by bike in 1997 to promote a book on the Kobe quake, could cheer up Taiwanese children.
During their Taiwan tour, which will start next Thursday and finishes on New Year's Day, the brothers will cycle about 600 kilometers beginning in Taipei, making a round trip through Taiwan.
They will participate in a memorial service supported by the Taiwanese government in Taichung next Friday to deliver donations collected in Japan and origami paper cranes made by Japanese people hoping for Taiwan's early recovery from the quake.
"We will be glad if we can convey to the Taiwanese people our message that they should keep persevering like us, even after such a great disaster," Masamichi said.
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