KOBE -- Masano Goto still exchanges letters with people from other prefectures who helped her overcome difficulties in the aftermath of the devastating Great Hanshin Earthquake in January 1995, which claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Her desire to meet them and say "thank you" in person has grown over the years.

Although many quake survivors share the same feelings, they have no idea who to thank. More than 1.4 million volunteers came to the area within a year of the quake to help victims with tasks including distributing daily necessities, delivering messages and cooking and serving food.