Volume 120 - January 15, 2017

As we begin a new year, Iwate aims to step up the pace of the reconstruction, and make rapid progress developing its wonderful communities.

Public and Private Groups Discuss How to Revitalize Local Communities （Kamaishi）

On December 17th, 2016 （Sat）, “New Tohoku”, an association promoting partnerships between public and private groups, held a networking event at the Information Exchange Center in Kamaishi. Its theme was “Revitalizing Local Communities”, and its objective was for local governments of disaster-hit areas, private companies, universities, charities and others, to exchange information and opinions about the reconstruction.

The event featured a panel discussion, where experts exchanged opinions about supporting local communities as they’re rebuilt, and considered the future direction of the reconstruction.

Later, there was a presentation from 8 groups involved in the revitalization of local communities, both in disaster-hit areas and elsewhere in the country. They showed recent examples of their work, giving perspective on the current state of the affected settlements and the problems they face in the future.

Yoshihiro Yamashita, Director of the national Reconstruction Agency’s Iwate Office, gave a passionate speech. “Step by step, we have made progress with the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure following the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. From here on, the rebirth of local communities will be extremely important. The Reconstruction Agency will spare no effort towards achieving that goal,” he said.

There were several other activities. An event aimed at high school students introduced new ways of working using IT. A workshop for families showed parents how to make picture books using their smartphone. There was also a special screening of “In The Corner Of This World”, a film which models how communities can pass on the experience of the tsunami to the next generation.

Examining the Data in Vol. 19 of the Iwate Reconstruction Index Report

The Iwate Reconstruction Index Report is published periodically and serves to make it easier to understand the current state of affairs and recent trends in Iwate’s reconstruction efforts, particularly in the 12 affected coastal municipalities.

Below are outlined the main points from volume 19 of the report （as of December 5th, 2016）.

Ensuring Safety

Progress Rate on Land Development for Town Building Purposes: 45%
Number of Sections Completed: 3,493 （as of October 31st, 2016）

There is a 45% completion rate on the 7,811 land plots planned for residential construction projects.

Rebuilding Lives

Progress Rate on Public Housing for Survivors: 74%
4,237 Completed Housing Units （2,080 prefectural, 2,157 municipal）
（as of October 31st, 2016）

There is a 74% completion rate on the 5,694 planned number of housing units （2,760 prefectural, 2,934 municipal）.

Regenerating Industries

Size of Fish Catch: 38,257 metric tons （57.7% of 3-year average）
（Current total for April - September 2016）

This figure represents 86.2% of the catch made during the same period last year. The main cause is the reduced number of mackerel, squid, and isada fish.

We are recruiting members for the Iwate Reconstruction Supporters Team!

Know, Buy, Eat, Go - and Help Support Us!

Free to Register!

We are now recruiting both individual and group （corporate or other） members in the Greater Tokyo Area for the “Iwate Reconstruction Supporters”. Members are e-mailed information regarding reconstruction and tourism in Iwate, and upcoming events in the Tokyo area. （Information only available in Japanese.）

For more information, please see the website of the Tokyo Branch Office of the Iwate Prefectural Government:

• Tokyo Branch Office of the Iwate Prefectural Government（外部リンク）

Aketo Seawall to Protect Memories of the Disaster （Tanohata）

On December 12th, 2016 （Mon）, Tanohata Village completed preservation work on the Aketo seawall ruins. It will help pass the memories and lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami on to the next generation.

The Aketo seawall was built in 1969. It was 9 meters tall and 378 meters long, but around 140 meters of it were destroyed by the tsunami. Local authorities decided to preserve the remaining 221 meters in their post-disaster state.

A viewing route and parking lot have been built, making the ruins easy to visit. The ruins provide a direct visual reminder of the tsunami’s scale and destructive force.

Construction on a replacement seawall （346 meters long and 12 meters high）, as well as a new highway, has already been completed. The Ministry of the Enviroment plans to build a park in an adjacent area.

Donating Through the Furusato Iwate Support Fund to Help Iwate!

In November 2016, Iwate created more categories for donations made through the Furusato Iwate Support Fund （Furusato Nozei）.

Furusato Nozei, or Hometown Tax, is a system where a set amount is deducted from your income and residence tax. Donors can choose which municipality to send their tax deductions.

In addition to “Reconstruction from the Great East Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami” and “Iwate Hope for Learning Charity （a charity project for children affected by the disaster）”, donors now have even more options, such as the “Sanriku Coast Reconstruction Project”, “Support for Bringing the International Linear Collider （ILC） to Iwate”, and “Rebuilding from the 2016 Typhoon No. 10 Disaster”.

Under “Sanriku Coast Reconstruction Project”, there are also further options to select: the “Sanriku Railway Support Project”, “Infrastructure Development Project for the 2019 Rugby World Cup”, “Sanriku Disaster Prevention and Reconstruction Exhibition （tentative name）”, and “Building a Disaster Memorial Complex”.

Iwate is grateful for the donations sent in from all over the country, and is aiming to grow even further with the help of the tax system.

Feature

Many young people are diligently helping the affected area of Sanriku move toward a full reconstruction. The section “People for Sanriku’s Future” introduces these young people and their powerful feelings.

Click the link to read about Emily Hallams and her work promoting Kamaishi City.

• Emily Hallams of the Kamaishi City Government

Casualties and Damage in Iwate （as of December 31, 2016）

• Deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,123
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,077

Thank you for all of your support! （as of December 31, 2016）

Donations for survivors: Around 18.52227 billion yen （94,267 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.8516 billion yen （8,048 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 8.69353 billion yen （19,531 donations）
※ This fund is to assist in the study and daily life of affected
children by encouraging sport and study activities.

• To make a donation to aid in Iwate's reconstruction, click here.

Contact

News from Iwate’s Reconstruction, Volume 120. January 15, 2017.
Published by the General Affairs Division, Bureau of Reconstruction, Iwate Prefecture.
Phone: 019-629-6925
Editing & Printing: SYNAPSE

*News from Iwate's Reconstruction Volume 121 will be published on February 1st.