Japan's Miyagi Prefecture LP Gas Association recently held an appreciation ceremony in Sendai to express gratitude to those who provided disaster relief support after the Great East Japan earthquake in 2011.
The ceremony, named “Recovery/Appreciation/Fly to the Future,” coincided with the company's 60th founding anniversary.
Aramco Asia Japan, as a representative of Saudi Aramco, was invited to the ceremony as a special guest and received a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its role and contribution to the emergency relief program based on Saudi Arabia's million-dollar emergency fund.
Among 26 entities that were recognized during the ceremony, Saudi Aramco was the only non-Japanese company honored. A total of more than 240 people attended the ceremony, including distinguished guest Yoshihiro Murai, governor of Miyagi Prefecture. The event was covered by local broadcasters and newspapers.
During the ceremony, Hiroshi Onodera, chairman of Miyagi Prefecture LP Gas Association, explained its history and commemorated the Great East Japan earthquake, expressing his deep appreciation for the emergency relief by saying “invaluable support for people who are aiming to the full recovery of Tohoku has helped reconstruction of the community, its businesses, and its people. The Saudi Aramco - Iwatani LPG Emergency Relief Program was highly appreciated by people who were forced to live in temporary housing at that time and contributed to the bright image of the LPG industry itself.”
Ali B. Al Masoud, Senior Marketing Manager in Marketing Services and Portfolio Management at Aramco Asia-Japan, said, “We are pleased that our humble contribution supported the affected areas and people.”
Masoud mentioned a message from HE Ali I. Al-Naimi that noted he was particularly struck by the fact that those residents who were able to move out of the temporary housing have faithfully refunded their unused LPG coupons to the fund, thereby enabling the launch of Phase II of the joint initiative with Japan's Ministry of Energy Trade and Industry to establish standby emergency LPG supply stations in 25 locations across the disaster area. He also congratulated Japan for the impressive recovery work and complimented the genuine spirit of the Japanese people while ensuring Saudi Arabia's continuous commitment to its friends, especially during such difficult times.