Hope

Hanako Ukon, born in Kobe three days after the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, became a symbol of hope that later connected people to the recovery of Tohoku following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Inspired by her name's meaning, she co-founded an initiative to share the region's appeal through food events. The project has run for 12 years, involving about 6,000 participants.