Volume 95 - November 1, 2015

An increasingly cold wind has been blowing the leaves from the trees. Winter seeps into the mountains, and moves ever closer.

The Reconstruction Minister and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Visit Iwate （Morioka）

On October 10th, 2015 （Sat）, shortly after the Prime Minister Abe reshuffled his cabinet for the third time, the new Reconstruction Minister, Tsuyoshi Takagi, and Parliamentary Vice-Minister, Hirohisa Takagi, visited Iwate for the first time since assuming their roles. They met with a delegation led by Governor Tasso, and exchanged opinions about the problems facing the disaster areas.

Governor Tasso requested their assistance regarding continuing financial and physical support for the reconstruction, the International Linear Collider （ILC） bid, and the construction of a stadium in Kamaishi ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Minister Takagi said, "The most important thing is to maintain close ties with the disaster-hit areas. My job is to keep up-to-date on progress with Iwate's governor and mayors, and to get on with the reconstruction." With regard to the upcoming 5th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th next year, he added, "I want people to say that we've made progress, even in the remaining five months. I want to take measures to protect people's lives and livelihoods."

Rugby Ambassadors: "The 2019 Rugby World Cup is in our hands." （Kamaishi）

Kamaishi is one of the host cities for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The Kamaishi East Rotary Club （club president Yoshiro Ogasawara）, sent six local middle school students to this year's tournament in England.
Applications were accepted from first and second-year students at 5 different local middle schools. Of the 25 candidates, 6 were randomly selected to become participants: Sogo Nitta （2nd year, Kasshi Middle School）, Mizuki Sasaki （1st year, Odaira Middle School）, Ryohei Suzuki （1st year, Kamaishi Middle School）, Rimiko Sawada （2nd year, Kamaishi Middle School）, Miki Sasaki （2nd year, Toni Middle School） and Rui Horaguchi （2nd year, East Kamaishi Middle School）. These "Rugby Ambassadors" spent a week in England from September 21st, 2015 （Mon）.

Besides watching the Japan vs. Scotland match, which was held in the city of Gloucester in south-east England, the students were able to see how the teams of volunteers helped run the tournament.

On October 9th, 2015 （Fri）, at a hotel back in Kamaishi, 5 of the students made a presentation about their trip to the Kamaishi East Rotary Club. They told the audience of roughly 50 people how exciting it was to see Japan's unprecedented success. The report had three topics: "Things we loved," "Things we learned" and "Hopes for the tournament in Kamaishi."

One of the Rugby Ambassadors, Sogo Nitta, was particularly enthusiastic. "It was brilliant to see an actual host site. I want to work at the World Cup in Kamaishi, and contribute to its success." The ambassadors all shared a renewed determination. "We want to take the 2019 World Cup into our own hands," they said.

Playing in Harmony: East Japan Aid Concert 2015 （Miyako）

On October 12th, 2015 （Mon）, the "Playing in Harmony" East Japan Aid Concert 2015 （organized by the Miyako Public Hall and the Iwate Art Support Center）, was held at the Miyako Public Hall in Sokeioki, Miyako.

The event aims to raise support for areas hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Since 2013 it has taken place in Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Tokyo. This was Miyako’s second time hosting the concert.

The performers, including the singer, Machiko Watanabe, and the jazz pianist and conductor, Norio Maeda, were all musicians with a connection to Miyako. There were also performances from local groups, such as a Miyako elementary school's choir and wind orchestra, as well as a joint performance from four different high school wind orchestras. For the finale, all 250 performers appeared on stage together to sing Machiko Watanabe's "The Day That the Seagulls Flew".

The Ofunato Reconstruction Tohoku Sandai Festival （Ofunato）

On October 17th （Sat） and 18th （Sun）, the Ofunato Reconstruction Tohoku Sandai Festival （organized by the Sanriku International Association） was held in Sakaricho, Ofunato.

This was the festival's fifth year. Up until now it's been run by a committee of local volunteers, but as of this year, responsibility has shifted to the International Association. They want to "use the festival's power to get Ofunato's energy back." It's intended to contribute to the reconstruction, to encourage previous residents to return, and to help build a sustainable region. To that end, organizers aimed to add an international flavor to the event's traditional culture and performing art.

Many of the performances during the main event on the 17th were symbolic of Tohoku. There was the Kanto bamboo lantern parade （Akita City, Akita）, the Sansa Dance （Morioka City, Iwate）, the Hanagasa Dance （Yamagata City, Yamagata） and the Sparrow Dance （Sendai City, Miyagi）, as well as performances of the disaster-hit Sanriku region's traditional Tiger and Deer Dances. But there was also a show by the Toburon Pungmul Group, who play Korean pungmul folk music. Around 400 people paraded
through downtown Ofunato, whipping up a lively atmosphere.

"e! Iwate" information service app

“e! Iwate” is a mobile app that sends you news and information about Iwate’s Reconstruction （in Japanese）. You can then re-post this information on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
You can use the app with the following smart phone models:
Android OS4.0 and newer, iOS6.0 and newer
*Sorry, information in Japanese only.

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 Kenta Shimizu and his mission to spread the charm of Rikuzentakata through his Youtube channel, Bababa TV.

• Kenta Shimizu of Rikuzentakata Bababa TV

Casualties and Damage in Iwate （as of September 30, 2015）

• Human casualties/deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,126
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,165

Thank you for all of your support! （as of September 30, 2015）

Donations for survivors: Around 18.4415 billion yen （92,059 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.7879 billion yen （7,466 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 7.73874 billion yen （16,273 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 95. November 1, 2015.
Published by the General Affairs Division, Bureau of Reconstruction, Iwate Prefecture.
Phone: 019-629-6925
Editing & Printing: SYNAPSE

*News from Iwate's Reconstruction Volume 96 will be published on November 15.