Introduction:
Following the tragic Halloween crowd crush in Seoul last year, families of victims in South Korea and Japan have initiated exchanges to draw lessons from recent accidents in both countries and prevent future tragedies. This collaboration began after South Korean reporters interviewed Seiji Shimomura, who lost his 2-year-old son in the 2001 Akashi pedestrian bridge accident in Japan. The goal is to improve cooperation and understanding to uncover the facts behind such accidents and foster better safety measures and psychological support for those affected.

Mutual Support and Fresh Perspectives:
Seiji Shimomura shared insights about the independent investigation into the Akashi accident and the support among bereaved families from other incidents, including the 1985 Japan Airlines jumbo jet crash. which led to a request for advice from a South Korean organization supporting victims' families of the Seoul crush. Shimomura, along with other bereaved family members, visited South Korea in March to meet with them and exchange experiences.

Cooperation and Empathy:
Participants from both countries, including families of victims from the 2014 Sewol ferry sinking in South Korea and the 2001 Akashi pedestrian bridge crush in Japan, expressed their willingness to cooperate. for affected individuals, regardless of their nationality.

A Bridge of Comfort and Understanding:
Despite initial barriers, the families from South Korea and Japan found solace through their interactions. Language barriers were overcome through shared emotions and empathy. The families recognized the power of coming together as victims' families, sharing smiles and tears, and vowed to continue their cooperation.

Looking Ahead:
Seiji Shimomura, serving as an advisor to victims' families in a recent tourist boat incident off Hokkaido's Shiretoko Peninsula, expressed his desire to become a bridge between Japan and South Korea to prevent more tragedies. a heartfelt message for the victims' families in the Shiretoko incident, demonstrating their support and solidarity despite being from different countries.

Conclusion:
The exchanges between bereaved families of tragic accidents in South Korea and Japan have shown the importance of cooperation, empathy, and understanding. By learning from each other's experiences and challenges, they aim to enhance safety measures and fact-finding processes to prevent future Together, they hope to create a lasting bond, fostering cooperation and ensuring that no more lives are lost due to preventable accidents.