Rieko Hiradate of KAI OTSUCHI Co. Ltd.

Contribute to the region with ICT

At the time of the disaster, Ms. Hiradate was working in Morioka. The difference between the inland areas and the disaster-stricken areas on the coast was striking, and had her wondering what she could possibly do to help out the coastal regions. It was then that she heard that Otsuchi was looking to recruit an intern for an ICT-related project.

Deciding that this was a good opportunity to use her experience with photography and design, she signed up for the position.In July, 2015, KAI OTSUCHI received a request from Otsuchi to develop a smartphone app called "Otsuchi Oh! TSUCHI!" The app provides tourism information about Otsuchi, as well as evacuation guidance in times of emergencies.

Aim to make the town into an ICT education hub

Besides the app, Ms. Hiradate is also using design software to convert Otsuchi’s rebuilding plans into 3D. She is enthusiastic, saying, "I think we’re just starting to see the visible effects of the reconstruction work. It’s not easy to get to Sanriku from Tokyo, but I think it's possible to use networks to build the region. There are a lot of ‘ICT towns,’ but there are very few ICT education hubs. Otsuchi has put together an ICT association, so I want Otsuchi to become an ICT education hub in the future."

There are high hopes for this modern and unique form of community development.

Profile

Rieko Hiradate:
KAI OTSUCHI Co. Ltd.
Chief Director

Originally from Otsuchi.
After graduating from university, she found a job in Morioka as a cameraman assistant.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, she signed up for a project related to Otsuchi's ICT （Information and Communication Technology）.
In May 2013, she returned to Otsuchi, where she began to work with much determination with KAI OTSUCHI. She is currently actively working with projects related to ICT.