Sendai region, Japan -- The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia traveled to the Sendai region of Japan on a mission to honor the victims and survivors of the earthquake and tsunami disaster that occurred on March 11, 2011, bringing with them the same spirit of hope and solidarity that first united them with the community 13 years ago.
The band, along with The Greatlanders Jazz Band from Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska, visited the area to bring hope and unity through music as part of Operation Tomodachi, the Japanese word for “friendship”. Operation Tomodachi occurred between 12 March to 4 May, 2011, as a disaster relief imitative following the 9.0 Tokohu earthquake and subsequent tsumani that struck the eastern coast of Japan. The effort involved more than 24,000 U.S. military service members from all branches of service. The U.S. Air Force Bands played a significant role in boosting morale during and after this initiative by offering concerts for those affected and brought a ray of hope amidst a historical disaster.
The band performed in Kabanomachi Elementary School in August, 2011, where the gymnasium had been converted into a shelter for families displaced by the disaster. Thirteen years later and the band retraced their steps in the Sendai region, returning to Kabannomachi Elementary to play once more, their hearts filled with memories of resilience, loss, and the unbreakable bond formed with local residents during those critical days.
Masato Yagi, U.S. Band of the Pacific-Asia community relations specialist for the past 25 years, coordinated the band’s presence at both the initial performance in 2011 and the most recent concert in 2024.
“Many people flocked to the Sendai area to provide disaster relief immediately following the tsunami, and the Band of the Pacific-Asia wanted to help in our own way by bringing music to cheer up dislocated people,” Yagi said. “This most recent performance was special because it was the first time we have returned since that initial concert. We want to let the people here know that we still care.”
This visit was more than just a performance—it was a heartfelt tribute to the people who had lost so much, and a reminder that they were never forgotten. As they played, familiar notes filled the gymnasium once again, the music was a reminder not just of a tragedy, but of the enduring friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The band’s return was an affirmation that the compassion and solidarity shown in the immediate aftermath of the disaster had not faded with time.
Operation Tomodachi was always about more than providing aid to mission partners and to neighbors; it was evidence of the continual effort to build a bridge between two nations, and performances such as these reinforce that lasting connection. The band’s performance serves as to remind people that in the face of unimaginable tragedy, friendship and support can endure, transcending time, distance, and culture. This spirit of remembrance and hope continues to resonate throughout the connection between the U.S. and Japan, growing with each effort.