Yoko Ono in Japan to show support since tsunami

TOKYO (AP) - Yoko Ono says on a visit to Japan she wants to give her disaster-stricken homeland a big hug.

Ono said in an interview Friday she was deeply saddened by the devasation caused by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that left more than 20,000 people dead or missing and touched off the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

The widow of Beatles singer John Lennon said that as a native Japanese she felt it was her duty to show her support and set an example for others to come as well. Many celebrities and athletes have canceled trips to Japan and its tourism industry is suffering.

Ono said she wanted to hug her people, and tell them, “listen, we are all together.”