Volume 112 - September 1, 2016

Iwate is hosting this year's National Sports Festival!
30 days until the National Sports Festival, and 51 days until the National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities!

Governor Tasso meets the Minister for Reconstruction （Morioka, Ofunato, Rikuzentakata）

On August 6th, 2016 （Sat）, Governor Tasso exchanged opinions with Mr. Imamura, the Minister for Reconstruction, who entered the cabinet for the first time in Prime Minister Abe’s third reshuffle. It was the minister’s first visit to Iwate since assuming his role.

“I intend to prioritize the disaster-hit areas, while responding appropriately to changing circumstances. I will spare no effort,” Mr. Imamura said.

Governor Tasso, after detailing the challenges involved with restoring people’s lives and livelihoods, said, “I’d like the reconstruction to be closely linked with the needs of the disaster-hit areas and people, and I request that you secure a budget that’s appropriate for the actual circumstances.” He then submitted a series of written proposals and requests.

After the discussion, Mr. Imamura said, “The highest priority of the recent cabinet reshuffle was the reconstruction and revitalization of Tohoku. I will devote all my energy towards meeting the governor’s requests.” He pledged to restore and strengthen people’s livelihoods by focusing on residential rebuilding, as well as agriculture, forestry and fishing industries.

On the same day, Mr. Imamura also inspected the reconstruction’s current progress in person. He visited the planned site of a memorial park in Rikuzentakata, and the area surrounding Ofunato train station.

Yamada Hospital Opens September 1st!

On August 19th, a ceremony was held to celebrate the reconstruction of Yamada Hospital. It was destroyed in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, so medical services have been taking place in a temporary facility.

The new hospital was built on elevated ground, 2 km away from its previous location. It is a two story building made from reinforced concrete, with 50 beds and 6 departments: internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, orthopedic surgery, ophthalmology and rehabilitation. Four doctors are employed full-time – two more than before the disaster.

Yamada Hospital began outpatient and inpatient care on September 1st （Thu）. Its long-awaited reopening is an important symbol of the reconstruction.

The hospital in Yamada was the second to be rebuilt by the prefecture, following the reopening of Otsuchi Hospital. The reconstruction of Takata Hospital in Rikuzentakata City is due to finish next year.

Spreading the joy. Giving thanks. The Land of Hope Iwate National Sports Festival and National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities

Sport: Sailing
Date: October 2 （Sun） – 5 （Wed）
Venue: Rias Harbor Miyako

Sport: Wrestling
Date: October 7 （Fri） – 10 （Mon）
Venue: Miyako Municipal Gymnasium

Demonstration sport: Sea kayaking marathon
Date: September 18 （Sun）
Venue: Rias Harbor Miyako

Contact: Miyako Planning Committee Office　Phone: 0193-77-5117

MIYAKO INFORMATION

Miyako is located at the most eastern point of Honshu. Its coastline is part of the Sanriku Fukko National Park, and its inland mountainous region lies within the Hayachine Quasi-National Park. The photograph to the right shows Miyako’s most famous site, Jodogahama, which is located roughly in the center of Sanriku Fukko National Park. The white, sharply-pointed rhyolite rocks line up closely together, decorating the coast with their subtly different shapes. The contrast between the green pine trees, white rocks and ultramarine sea is truly beautiful.

Iwate's Largest Public Housing Complex for Survivors, Tochigasawa Apartments, Now Open （Rikuzentakata）

On August 1st, 2016 （Mon）, people began moving into Tochigasawa Apartments, the largest public housing complex for disaster survivors in the prefecture.

This kind of housing is intended for people who lost their home during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and for whom rebuilding privately isn’t an option. The Tochigasawa complex has 301 rental apartments altogether, split across two buildings. The northern block is an 8-story building with 150 apartments, while the southern block is a 9-story building with 151 apartments. Each one has a kitchen and up to 3 other rooms. Some are designed with wheelchair users in mind.

As of August 26th, 188 people had picked up their keys. For those who have spent the time since the disaster in emergency housing, it marked the beginning of a new life.

Applications will continue to be accepted until the apartments are filled. It’s possible to apply as a group to be placed closely together.

Tours of Holland Island Now Taking Place （Yamada）

Within the protected borders of the Sanriku Fukko National Park, floating just off the coast of Yamada Bay, is a large island. It’s known as “Holland Island”, after the Dutch ship Breskens, which washed ashore here in 1643.

Its circumference is around 900 meters, and it’s famous as the only uninhabited island in Tohoku with a swimming beach.

Due to the catastrophic damage suffered in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the beach isn’t generally open to the public. However, “Marine Tourism Yamada”, a group run by local fishermen, ran a special summer promotion offering discounted tours of the island. The offer took place between July 23rd （Sat） and August 21st （Sun）, attracting large numbers of tourists who were mesmerized by the emerald green seawater and white sand.

Tours of Holland Island will continue until October.

Contact
Yamada Town Tourism Association　Phone:0193-84-3775
（Business hours 8：30-17：30. Closed Wednesdays）
*Inquiries in Japanese, please.

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

Donations for survivors: Around 18.59 billion yen （93,626 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.77855 billion yen （7,812 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 8.5893 billion yen （18,111 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 112. September 1, 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 113 will be published on September 15th.