Lady Gaga has issued a message of love to the people of Japan on the 10th anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. She spoke out on the devastating tragedy, which happened in March 2011, and praised the ‘strength, kindness, and love,’ shown by Japanese people in the years afterwards.

Starting her video, the Bad Romance hitmaker said: ‘Hi Japan, this is Lady Gaga. ‘It seems like yesterday that I was watching the shocking footage of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on the news and thinking, “What can I do to help?” ‘I remember making a lot of phone calls that day.

Through the years, seeing and hearing about the vast recovery of your beautiful cities, I have so much respect to the people of Japan for your strength, kindness, and love for each other. ‘I think it gives hope to the people now that are fighting through the Covid pandemic all around the world.

However, I can also imagine there are still many people fighting through the pain, emotionally and mentally. So, let’s all continue to support each other, be kind to each other, and love each other.’

She continued: ‘I’m always praying for you, Japan, for a better world. We still live in a difficult time, with the coronavirus. Please take care of yourself and be kind to yourself and the people around you. I look forward to coming back to Japan soon. Aishitemasu [I love you].’

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that crashed into Japan’s Tohoku region.

An estimated 20,000 people were killed or declared missing. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, and the fourth most powerful in the world.