Satomi Hosoi (20)

Yukiko Hosoi(Mother, living in Wakayama Prefecture)
As she lived so far away from here, even now I feel like she is still alive.

Cao Xuan (50)

Osamu Kobori (Ex-professor of Graduate School of Science and Technology)
It was in the spring of 1992, I suppose. Professor Tsuchida who worked at an agriculture chemistry class came to see me. He told seriously that his student Mr. Son wanted his (Son's) wife (Cao) to study science of production in Kobe University, and asked me to give a lead to her.
In those days, the relationship among the professors was so troublesome to me that I had rarely refused the offers from other faculties. This offer, however, troubled me a lot; for it struck me that very few students from abroad go back after studying for one year, and most of the students want to go on to a master's course. At any rate, I declined it for the reason which I would retire from my duty in one and a half year. But Professor Tsuchida said that it was enough time to teach her and asked again for my guidance to her for only one year. Therefore I made a contract with Son, and then a year went on.
During the term, Cao studied very hard, and devoted herself to the fundamental study of the improvement of productive technology of vegetables by the use of seeds covered with gel.
On this study, one of the group researchers in Kobe University got a learned society award.
Contrary to my expectation, on the way to the first year she applied for the permission that she wanted to study for another year. Professor Tsuchida and I told her that we could not let her do so. Yet she persisted in going home until I left Kobe University. I could not find the reason I rejected a half year's extension. She continued to study under promise to go back in the March of1995.
On the 11th of January, my obliging wife had the party of the best Ozoni with other Chinese students at the Kobe Oriental Hotel, when I gave an advice to the couple that they live happily together as a husband and a wife.
Informed that they were killed together in the Great Hansin Earthquake... I can not help repenting. What a regret! My heart has been filled with deep regret and sorrow.
The roll of film I took at the party was still undeveloped. Even now I do not feel like developing.

Kentaro Inai (22)

Kiyoko Inai (Aunt, living in Kyoto Prefecture)

Worrying about his safety, we hurried to the damaged area. We found a note saying "dead".
The dead young man couldn't accomplish his dream of medical treatment in depopulation area.
When I go back to my hometown, my son always calls me with a smile. I never forget his behavior.
On the address book, his address and telephone number is written. I cannot bear to erase it, so it was still left.
I pray for my merciful son cherry blossoms, the hill of Adashino.

Kengo Hashimoto (19)

Tomoko Hashimoto (Mother, living in Hyogo Prefecture)
On the day of the earthquake, we couldn't take a contact with my son, so my husband went to look for him. He arrived at noon.
My son lived in the 1st floor, but the 2nd floor of the apartment fell down to his room.
With the help of his friends at the university, our relatives, and workers in our shop, he was found in the evening.
He wanted to be a surgeon. He liked soccer and belonged to a football club. I put the uniform in his coffin.