Key Facts
• January 17, 1995: Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake claims Haruka Kato, a 6th grader.
• Six months later: Sunflowers bloom at her former home, inspiring the project.
• ‘Haruka’s Sunflower Bond Project’ spreads nationwide, promoting the value of life.
• Tottori Prefecture’s Sakaiminato City joins the initiative with a sunflower field.
• July 2025: Sakaiminato Technical High School students plant sunflower seeds.
• Late August 2025: Sunflowers begin blooming near the school.
• Project involves collaboration with local social welfare organizations.
• 2025 marks the school’s 7th year participating in the project.
• Sunflower field is open to the public and nearing its peak bloom.
• Students aim to raise awareness and continue the project with community support.
Summary
The ‘Haruka’s Sunflower Bond Project’ commemorates Haruka Kato, a 6th grader who tragically lost her life in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Six months after her passing, sunflowers bloomed at her former home, symbolizing hope and resilience. This inspired a nationwide initiative to plant and nurture sunflowers, spreading awareness about the value of life. In 2025, Sakaiminato Technical High School in Tottori Prefecture joined the project for the seventh year, planting a sunflower field near the school in collaboration with local social welfare organizations. The sunflowers, planted in July, began blooming in late August and are now open for public viewing. Students involved in the project aim to increase awareness and ensure its continuation through community engagement. The sunflower field serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of cherishing it.
