Buddhika Weerasinghe: Japan marks 17th anniversary of Great Hanshin Earthquake

People pray for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

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A man prays for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A man prays for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

Women light candles and pray during the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A child lights a candle to offer a prayer for victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A woman prays for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A woman holds candle prays for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A man lights candle and prays for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)

A woman pray for the victims of the Kobe Great Earthquake during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake on January 17, 2012 in Kobe, Japan. People gathered early this morning to pay their respects and light bamboo lanterns in the park for more than 6,000 people who lost their lives in the 7.3 magnitude earthquake. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe)