New Era Of Volunteerism

摘要

The Great Hanshin Eaithquake claimed 6,200 lives. The only bright spot in this horrible disaster was the fact that a multitude of people from all over Japan hurried to the stricken areas to help the victims overcome the calamity and spontaneously undertook life-saving and supportive activities. The Hyogo Prefectural Government estimated that a total of 1.3 million people volunteered their services. People continue to show their volunteer spirit to this day, more than a year since the earthquake. In retrospect, the year 1995 is often referred to as the "first year of volunteerism" in which ordinary Japanese people began engaging in full-blown volunteer activities.