The massive Kumamoto earthquake that hit Japan last Thursday, which included a main shock of 7.0 on the Richter scale followed by a series of aftershocks, has sent more than 117,000 victims to evacuation shelters. The death toll almost reaches 50, while more than 1,100 are reported to have been injured.
Amid such loss, messages of support and encouragement have been pouring into the city of Kumamoto on the island of Kyushu. A number of Facebook pages and netizens have created cartoon illustrations to convey their thoughts to victims in the quake-hit prefectures.
The heartwarming illustrations mostly feature Kumamon, the official mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, with hashtags #prayforkumamoto and #prayforkyushu. Kumamon, the round-faced black bear measuring 1.5m and tasked with promoting tourism and local products, is recognised not only in the Land of the Rising Sun but internationally and has more than 460,000 followers on its official Twitter account.
One example of the supportive illustrated messages is from Kumamon’s Facebook page featuring the bear looking sad in his attempt to fix the damaged brick walls. This illustration has garnered more than 28,000 likes and 3,000 shares. Another Facebook page, Slothy, posted a colour drawing featuring a sloth hugging a bandaged Kumamon with a message “Get well soon, Kumamon”. This one was shared more than 4,200 times.
Famous Thai Facebook page Jaytherabbit, known for its scornful look and sarcastic quotes, has launched an illustration with Jay the Rabbit standing next to the black bear, saying: “I believe all the victims are having a hard time. But stay strong. Thai people’s thoughts are with you.”
The Facebook page of the Thai popular Line stickers creator Tidlom also posted an illustration of Tidlom, a country teenage buffalo, and Kumamon sitting side by side. The message is concise: “May I sit with you?”
Besides Facebook, Twitter is also abound with supporting messages and campaigns for earthquake victims, many of which are by Thai companies. SCB Thailand, for example, has tweeted and offered its bank account details for donations through the Thai Red Cross to help provide financial aid. Other Thai firms including RS Plc, Thairath as well Twitter users have posted messages and pictures of consolation encouraging disaster-hit victims to stay strong.
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.