SCK45: Idol Group from Miyagi Expressing Their Gratitude Through Song

NOT RELATED TO AKB
but nice story anyway



A new idol group based in Kesennuma in the devastated area of Miyagi prefecture, SCK45 is currently in training for their debut in early November.  This is a truly inspiring group of young women.  Although some members have had their homes destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami, they have all enthusiastically vowed that "Through our singing, we hope to express our gratitude for all the strength and help that have come from all over the nation."

The idol group is part of a project sponsored by the SimCity Kesennuma corporation aiming to reconstruct Kesennuma and "make the town lively with the smiles of children" once again.  Thus, the group takes its name from the corporation's abbreviation (SCK) and the national highway crossing through this area (45).

The group has twelve members, ranging from fourth to twelfth grade, coming from the towns of Kesennuma and Minamisanriku (heavily devastated areas in Miyagi prefecture).  All members of the group gathered in mid-October in order to rehearse their original debut song [One Way Street].  The song is meant to express the idea of "traveling down a one-way street, walking forward (into the future)."

The lyrics of the song include such evocative lines as "Resound! An expression of thanks!" and "Drying our tears, we will go forward."  The song expresses their immense thanks for the nationwide support and their determination to overcome the hardships of the disaster and live for the future.

The group is scheduled to perform an open live event [Oi Ikioi Live Festivar] on 3 November 2011 in the parking lot of a CLIE Miura supermarket in Kesennuma, where they intend to have the first performance of their debut song.  There are also plans for the group to perform at a senior citizens' home, as an expression of condolence and comfort to the elderly living there.

According to a young member whose home was destroyed by the tsunami, "I love being a part of this song.  Everybody is so encouraging when we practice, I want to perform the best that we can!"  A representative of SimCity Kesennuma commented "Our goal is to restore the smiles of children, and to make adults smile again too.  We are working on CDs and posters, and hope to do a lot more in the future."

I'm really impressed that these young women, despite whatever hardships they are going through, have the courage and motivation to pour their energies into such a group in order to speak a message of gratitude and hope to all of Japan (and the world).  I wish them the best of luck, because they deserve it!