On January 11, Kwansei Gakuin University held a Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Chapel Service at Lambuth Memorial Chapel on the Nishinomiya Uegahara Campus.

In the 1995 Earthquake, 15 KG students and 8 KG staff members lost their lives. Since 1996, KG has held this annual chapel service to remember the lessons learned from the earthquake.

Jo Funaki, chaplain at the School of Economics, who served as an officiator of the service, extended the following message: “After we were hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, warm words from many people encouraged us. I believe the same holds true for people affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Letting them know that we understand their suffering and sorrow should greatly encourage and comfort them. Let us share their pain together.”

This year, approximately 150 KG students and staff members attended the service and offered silent prayers for victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Great East Japan Earthquake in March last year. During the silent prayers, a handbell was rung 15 times to commemorate each of the KG students who lost their lives in the 1995 earthquake.