Japan sends plastic sheet to Ala. tornado victims

In the wake of natural disasters we often see US plastics companies lend a hand, donating money, plastic sheeting and bottled water. Now, following the storms and tornadoes that hit the South on April 28-29, the shoe is on the other foot. According to Alabama Atty. Gen. Luther Strange, the government of Japan has donated 150 "huge pieces of plastic sheeting," as well as 8,000 blankets, to the state's tornado victims -- even as Japan itself is recovering from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. "As I have traveled throughout Alabama this last week visiting with people who are struggling from the tornado damage, I can assure that these supplies are greatly needed and will be much appreciated by our people. This gesture is a sign of the goodwill between our countries, for which we are thankful," Strange said. Takuji Hanatani, consul general of Japan, at the Japanese Consulate in Atlanta; and Keiichiro Nakazawa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Washington, represented the Japanese government at a recent ceremony in Alabama.