Japan's Wind Phone in Otsuchi Lets Mourners Speak to Lost Loved Ones

In Otsuchi, Japan, a disconnected telephone booth known as the Wind Phone serves as a memorial for people grieving the loss of someone close. Itaru Sasaki created it after the death of his cousin, giving visitors a place to voice thoughts they never had the chance to say. The booth became especially meaningful after the 2011 tsunami, when many residents turned to it for comfort. Its emotional impact has drawn visitors seeking connection with those they have lost. The idea has also inspired similar memorials in other parts of the world.