The elementary school in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, where more than 80 pupils and teachers lost their lives to tsunami on March 11,2011, held a closin
The elementary school in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, where more than 80 pupils and teachers lost their lives to tsunami on March 11,2011, held a closing ceremony Saturday ahead of its official closure in March.
About 350 people including pupils and graduates of Okawa Elementary School attended the ceremony ahead of the seventh anniversary of the tragedy.
“Although a curtain will be drawn on Okawa Elementary School, I believe the tradition and pride of the region will be passed on to the pupils,” Ishinomaki Mayor Hiroshi Kameyama said.
“I also hope our students will enjoy a new school life,” the mayor said.
The old tsunami-hit school building will be preserved as a monument.
The pupils have been studying in a prefabricated house built on the premises of Futamata Elementary School, with which it will merge in April.
