18/03/2011

Issued by the National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum (NRM) has today announced that it will be opening a book of condolence on Friday 18 March to give visitors the chance to leave messages of support for those affected by the Japan earthquake and tsunami.

The book has been opened to tie in with the Museum's upcoming Japan Festival and will be situated next to its Japanese Bullet Train. The book of condolence will remain open until the end of the Museum's Japan Festival on 28 April.

Steve Davies, Director of the National Railway Museum, said:

"Our Japan Festival was planned in order to honour the culture of Japan and mark our long established relationship with the Modern Transportation Museum in Osaka and the Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum in Kyoto. In light of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, we felt it was important to commemorate the victims of this tragic disaster by opening a book of condolence.

"On behalf of all at the National Railway Museum, I wish to express our deepest sympathies and condolences at this very difficult time in Japan's history. The images we see on television are truly shocking, but we are certain that the strength of resolve of the Japanese people will see them through this appalling catastrophe."

Steve Davies has written to Japan's ambassador in the UK, His Excellency Keiichi Hayashi, with a message of condolence on behalf of the National Railway Museum. The book of condolence will also be sent to the Ambassador once the Japan Festival has ended.

ENDS