Volume 100 - February 1, 2016

Thanks to everyone's support, the "Iwate Land of Hope - National Sports Festival" has begun, and the prefecture is buzzing with activity.

NHK Trophy Figure Skating Special Exhibition （Morioka）

On January 9th, 2016 （Sat）, the NHK Trophy Figure Skating Special Exhibition （hosted by NHK, NHK Promotions and the Japan Skating Federation） was held at Morioka Ice Arena to mark the upcoming 5th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and to support the reconstruction in the damaged regions. Eighteen top skaters from around the world appeared in the event.

Seven of the skaters attended a press conference on the previous day, including Yuzuru Hanyu, who won gold at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Mr. Hanyu, a native of Sendai City, spoke with emotion. "As a Tohoku native, I'm happy that I can contribute to the reconstruction in my own small way. I hope to express the radiant emotion that is hope [during my performance]."

The Olympic skater Mao Asada also gave her thoughts. "I'm going to skate with all my heart and soul for this audience. I want to show the children a brighter future."

On the day, Mr. Hanyu expressed a prayer for the disaster-hit regions by performing "Requiem of Heaven and Earth." Ms. Asada performed "Jupiter," a specially-developed piece supporting the reconstruction. When the "Miracle Pine," a tree of hope left standing on the coast, was projected onto the rink and children from Sendai joined her on the ice, the audience burst into applause.

Iwate Sanriku Reconstruction Forum （Morioka）

On January 22nd and 23rd, 2016 （Fri-Sat）, the Iwate Sanriku Reconstruction Forum （hosted by Iwate Prefecture and the Iwate Board of Education） was held at Morioka Theater.

At the beginning of Saturday's full program, Governor Tasso reported on the reconstruction's progress, and explained the upcoming challenges.

Next, Dr. Fumihiko Imamura, Professor of Tsunami Engineering at Tohoku University's International Research Institute of Disaster Science, gave the keynote speech on passing down the experiences and lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Dr. Imamura explained the outbreak and damage of past tsunamis. "Our job is to study the buildings left behind and the information archives to prepare for future tsunami. We need to learn from the past, record the present and make use of it in the future."

"Pieces of the Future" - a short film. Special screening and television broadcast! （Otsuchi）

The national government put out a call for essays that would improve Tohoku. The winner, "Four-and-a-Half Years Since The Disaster （Eternal Gratitude）" by 5th year Otsuchi Elementary School student Souta Iwama, was turned into a short film called "Pieces of the Future." A special screening will be held in Otsuchi.

The protagonist of "Pieces of the Future" dreams of becoming a carpenter. The 15-minute film shows scenes from ten years into his future, and vividly depicts his feelings about his home.

Kenta Suga, who plays the lead, said, "I hope lots of people to see it, and for them to feel like it's a piece of the future, just like the title says."

"Kuji Underground Aquarium Moguranpia" Celebrates Its Reopening After 5 Years （Kuji）

Kuji Underground Aquarium Moguranpia was completely destroyed in the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, but many people called for it to be rebuilt, and work is progressing towards a reopening in April this year.

Currently, an exhibition of various sea creatures, including those provided by the celebrity Sakana-kun, is on display at the "Moguranpia Machinaka Aquarium" beside Kuji Station.

There are plans for the renewed Moguranpia to feature a brand-new projection mapping and film installation. It will show a documentary about the facility's revival, starring the green sea turtle Kamekichi, who has been on loan to Hachinohe, Aomori since the disaster. An online funding drive is currently underway to pay for the exhibition. Donations will be accepted until February 13th; visit Kuji City's
homepage if you'd like to contribute.

• Kuji City's Moguranpia （JPN only）（外部リンク）

Winter Events

1/17 （Sun） - 3/21 （Mon）
Sanriku & Ofunato 19th Tsubaki Festival
Ofunato Camellia Hall, Goishi （Ofunato）
600 types of camellia （tsubaki） from 13 countries, various events, and a sale of seedlings and merchandise.
Inquiries - Tsubaki Festival Planning Committee: 0192-27-3111

2/6 （Sat） - 3/26 （Sat）
Starry Sky Classroom
Hirono Makiba Observatory （Hirono）
Dates: 2/6 （Sat）・2/20 （Sat）・3/12 （Sat）・3/26 （Sat）
Inquiries - Hirono Makiba Observatory: 0194-77-3377
 - Ono Furusato: 0194-77-3202

2/18 （Thu）
North Sanriku Pub Crawl
Kuji City Center Pubs and Restaurants
Visit and collect stamps from four of the pubs on the list to enter a prize lottery. \3,000 in advance （\3,500 on the day）
Inquiries - Kuji Chamber of Commerce and Industry： 0194-52-1000

2/18 （Thu） - 3/18 （Fri）
Machinaka Arigato Market
City Center （Kuji）
A sale taking place in over 70 shops in Kuji City Center.
When you make a purchase, you can receive tickets to enter a raffle.
Inquiries - Kuji Chamber of Commerce and Industry： 0194-52-1000

2/21 （Sun）
Miyako Horsehair Crab Festival
Miyako Fish Market （Miyako）
Buy horsehair crab, which is reaching its seasonal peak. There will also be free crab soup and crab pole fishing events.
Inquiries - Miyako Tourism Cultural Exchange Assoc.: 0193-62-3534

2/27 （Sat） - 2/28 （Sun）
Moguranpia Machinaka Aquarium 〜Doll Festival〜
Moguranpia Machinaka Aquarium （Kuji）
Dolls of the emperor, empress and Amarin are waiting for you at Moguranpia. We're giving out free rice flour cakes to visitors!
Inquiries - Moguranpia Machinaka Aquarium: 0194-53-9600

2/28 （Sun）
North Sanriku Kuji Winter Market
City Center （Kuji）
An event celebrating Kuji's fresh seafood, mountain produce and village harvests. Let's enjoy them together!
Inquiries - Planning Committee: 0194-52-2123

2/28 （Sun）
Otsuchi Variety Show
Otsuchi Town Hall （Otsuchi）
A comedic play showing the love, laughs and tears of a town with very few babies. Songs, stand-up and many more hidden talents.
Inquiries - General Policy Division / Citizen Coop Dept.: 0193-42-8724

*Details regarding these events is subject to change, so please check before you attend.

Feature

The "Hayadori Wakame" Season Is Here!

Hayadori Wakame is seaweed that has been harvested at an early stage of growth. It's in-season in midwinter: January and February. Companies all over Iwate, such as the Omoe Fishery Cooperative in Miyako, who produce the "Haru Ichiban" brand, are entering their peak shipping season.

Last month, at the "Sanriku & Kesen Tourism Product Fair" held at the Iwate Ginga Plaza, Hayadori Wakame was hugely popular in the shabu-shabu corner, as it turns a vibrant green when dipped in boiling water. Early spring is your only chance to try this incredibly healthy food, so don't miss out!

Casualties and Damage in Iwate （as of December 31, 2015）

• Deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,124
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,168

Thank you for all of your support! （as of December 31, 2015）

Donations for survivors: Around 18.43776 billion yen （92,605 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.72779 billion yen （7,599 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 7.89788 billion yen （17,032 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 100. February 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 101 will be published on February 15.