Junichiro Koizumi — Japanese Statesman born on January 08, 1942,

Junichiro Koizumi, born January 8, 1942, is a Japanese politician who was the 87th Prime Minister of Japan from 2001 to 2006. He retired from politics when his term in parliament ended in 2009, and was the fifth-longest serving prime minister in the history of Japan... (wikipedia)

The pains felt by Asian countries are our own pains. Disaster in Asia is nothing but ours as well.
Did you know that the word 'tsunami,' which is now being used worldwide, is a Japanese word? This is indicative of the extent to which Japan has been subject to frequent tsunami disasters in the past.
To me, the appeal of opera lies in the fact that a myriad of singers and instruments, each possessed of different qualities of voice and sound, against the backdrop of a grand stage and beautiful costumes, come together in one complete and impressive drama.
In the past, Japan through its colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations.