These concerns were not lost on the pharma and biotech industries, as many of them stepped up to extend a helping hand in the way of charitable donations and relief supplies. You can read about many of these commendable efforts in a blog post by our associate editor, Kelsey Kaustinen, at www.drugdiscoverynews.com/blog/. We were quite intrigued by Fujifilm’s reaction to the disaster. As Sirk reports, the company not only donated several diagnostic ultrasound systems and masks for dust and virus protection, it also switched off its outdoor advertising and refrained from using non-urgent electricity use in an effort to conserve power.  

 

Our editorial team did our best to convey our concern and support for these companies as well as the Japanese people, and our contacts in Japan kindly responded with great appreciation: “Thank you for the warm message. We wish to express our gratitude for the support from all over the world,” Ishii wrote via e-mail.

 

Ever a source of cultural inspiration, the Japanese have a saying that has almost become a mantra in the wake of this disaster: “Ganbare.” Loosely translated to English as “Hang in there,” it’s a popular form of encouragement among the Japanese people. While words are often inadequate in times like these, we at ddn would like to extend our warmest wishes to the Japanese companies we cover, the companies around the world who do business there and the Japanese people as a whole. Ganbare, Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.