Volume 117 - November 15, 2016

The vibrant, autumn leaves have fallen, and the first snow fell in the flat lands of the prefecture 14 days earlier than last year.

Trial-Planting Complete, First Step to Recovery of Takata-matsubara （Rikuzentakata）

On October 25th, 2016 （Tue）, trial- planting geared towards recovery of Takata-matsubara occured at Rikuzentakata's Disaster Prevention Forest Development Construction Site in the Takata-matsubara area.
Takata-matsubara, a pine forest that was one of Rikuzentakata's tourist spots, was completely washed away during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Roughly 70,000 trees were destroyed that day, with only one pine tree left standing. This lone tree, the Miracle Pine Tree, has become a symbol of the reconstruction. The locals look towards it for hope as they pray for the reforestation of Takatamatsubara.

The trial-planting was carried out to research and gain knowledge on what's needed to ensure the trees would take root and grow. Official planting of the trees is due to begin in 2018. Approximately 40 workers - employees from the Prefectural Coastal Regional Development Bureau Department of Agricultural Administration and Forestry's Agriculture and Forestry Promotions Center Ofunato Branch, and members of the Association for the Preservation of Takata-matsubara - attended the event, where a total of 147 Japanese black pine and Japanese red pine were planted using mostly potted tree seedlings.

They researched the effectiveness of the added soil and fertilizer, root growth, soil water content, and other factors at the site.

There is a 3-year plan that will take effect starting next year to plant approximately 40,000 trees on a 4.25m high embankment measuring 1.9km long.

It's estimated that it will take roughly 50 years for the saplings to grow and form a pine forest, but this marks a new step towards bringing back the breathtaking scenery of the pine tree beach.

Non Visits Kuji and Cheers on Local Citizens

On October 23rd, 2016 （Sun）, Non （real name: Rena Nonen）, the actress who appeared in the Kuji-based NHK drama Ama-chan, visited Kuji after it suffered damage from Typhoon 10. She cheered on the residents with her bright smile.

Kuji River and Osanai River both overflooded due to the downpour of heavy rain from the typhoon. The city received extensive damage, as it is located between the two rivers.

Non also visited the city earlier this year on September 18th （Sun） with the actress Eri Watanabe. During the trip, they visited several places such as the Kosode Ama Center （one of the filming locations for the drama）, Ama-chan House （which received damage despite having just been remodeled）, and Moguranpia, （an underground aquarium and science museum which reopened this April）.

Non also participated in the Kuji Local Products Festival that was held in Amber Hall in Kawasaki, Kuji. On the previous day, Non had a charity talk show at Hirosaki University. She donated the proceedings she received from this event to Kuji and Iwaizumi, which had both suffered from Typhoon 10. She interacted with the locals in other events as well, such as the mochi-scattering event, and the transportation of the portable shrine. The participants were all smiles as they were blessed with Non's cheerfulness.

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:

• Iwate Prefectural Government Tokyo Office

Preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup - Kamaishi and Airbnb Form Partnership

On October 20th, 2016 （Thu）, Kamaishi and Airbnb （San Francisco, California） joined hands to promote tourism in the area. This is the first agreement Airbnb has signed with a local authority in Japan.

Airbnb is a service where you can post, search, and reserve unique accommodation facilities all over the world through the internet. There are approximately 2,500,000 listings in 191 different countries. Users can look up places that match their own preferences and experience travel by interacting with the local people and culture.

The new partnership brings the opportunity to show the city’s local charms to travelers who come to the area for events like the upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup. Kamaishi has high hopes of bringing in many potential travelers from here on.

Iwaizumi Rest Stop Temporarily Open

On November 1st, 2016 （Tue）, the rest stop "Iwaizumi" in Otomo, Iwaizumi temporarily re-opened after 2 months of being closed due to the damage it took from Typhoon 10.

The rest stop has a special local goods corner, a produce stand, and a restaurant that uses ingredients that they grew themselves. When the Omoto River flooded during Typhoon 10, rising to 1.2m above ground level, employees and volunteers were able to remove products that were covered in mud, clean up the store, and make preparations for its reopening.

Part of the shop was temporarily opened, and a crowd of customers came in to purchase many of the popular local products such as Ryusendo water, Ryusendo skin toner, charcoal-grilled meat, and cheap and fresh vegetables.

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 Daigo Yamazaki of Otsuchi High School.

• Daigo Yamazaki of Otsuchi High School

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

• Deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,123
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,075

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

Donations for survivors: Around 18.51520 billion yen （93,960donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.79301 billion yen （7,902 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 8.59694 billion yen （18,444 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 117. November 15, 2016.
Published by the General Affairs Division, Bureau of Reconstruction, Iwate Prefecture.
Phone: 019-629-6925
Editing & Printing: SYNAPSE

*News from Iwate's Reconstruction Volume 118 will be published on December 1st.