I would like to take this occasion to express my heartfelt sympathy to all of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Strong aftershocks continue each day and it breaks my heart to think of the children in the disaster area that have to live in anxiety.

It also pains me to imagine how the children whose parents are missing, or that died, as a result of the disaster are feeling now.

I have two children myself-they are three and six. When I think of what would happen to my children if I wasn't here, or how hard it must be for children to overcome such circumstances, it makes me want to take action.

I pray that psychological care reaches these children as soon as possible.

Through the Japan Committee for UNICEF I hope to lighten the spirits of the children in the disaster area, allowing them to once again feel energetic and happy.

Karen Michibata