Volume 82 - April 15, 2015

Cherry blossoms throughout Japan are blooming early this year, and Iwate is no exception. Spring has brought a new energy to the area.

UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction: Iwate's Proposals to the World - SENDAI

The Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction was held in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture from March 14 （Sat） to 18 （Wed）, 2015. The conference was aimed at developing disaster risk reduction methods on an international scale.

The conference attendees numbered around 6,500 people, ranging from heads of state, cabinet ministers, representatives of international organizations, and registered NGOs. Related events were held in the four disaster-affected prefectures （Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima） and in total Tohoku welcomed around 156,000 participants - a truly monumental international event.

Iwate Prefecture took the opportunity to express our thanks for the aid received from around the world and contribute to global disaster risk reduction by creating a booklet entitled, Proposal from Iwate Prefecture about Disaster Risk Reduction and Reconstruction.

On Monday, March 16, Governor Tasso spoke at the main conference’s Working Session on “Communities Addressing Local Risks”. He addressed the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and detailed some of the 11 proposals from Iwate, emphasizing disaster risk reduction education and the participation of women and young people.

In coordination with the conference, Iwate Prefecture held a symposium in Ichinoseki on Tuesday, March 17 about cultural assets and disaster prevention. Study tours were also held in the tsunami-affected coastal region between March 16 and March 18.

Results from the Iwate Reconstruction Watchers Survey #1 for 2015

Iwate Prefecture conducts the Iwate Reconstruction Watchers Survey in order to periodically measure Iwate's reconstruction progress from the earthquake and tsunami. The survey targets people living or working in the disaster-affected municipalities, and is conducted once every three months.

Here are some key points extracted from the results of the first survey this year （conducted in February 2015）.

Have the lives of the survivors recovered?

“Fully recovered” or “Mostly recovered”: 65.9% （last time: 52.3%）

• A 13.6-point jump from the last survey.
• Opinions varied. Many people have moved out of temporary housing and into public housing, but some expressed the need for better mental care for elderly residents still living in temporary housing.

How do you feel about the recovery of the local economy?

“Fully recovered” or “Mostly recovered”: 53.6% （last time: 52.0%）

• A 1.6-point increase from the last survey.
• Some were happy about the improvements in the construction and fisheries industries, but there were concerns about the amount of available work and a lack of workers in the future.

How do you feel about the disaster mitigation measures?

“Satisfactory” or “Mostly satisfactory”: 30.5% （last time: 28.8%）

• A 1.7-point increase from the last survey.
• Many answered that they can see progress, like raising the ground level in residential and other areas, and construction of seawalls. However, there was some uneasiness at the measures not being completed yet.

The 3/11 Logistics Support Museum opens in Tono

On Saturday, March 14, 2015, the Tono Great East Japan Earthquake Logistics Support Museum opened in Tono.

Tono is an hour by car from both the coast and the urban centers of inland Iwate, and performed a very important function immediately following the earthquake and tsunami, serving as a major base for logistical support for aid operations.

The museum houses photos and newspaper articles from the time of the disaster, photo panels with English translations, as well as handwritten records made by municipal employees to record damage numbers as well as the arrival of police, firefighters, JSDF, medical workers, and aid supplies in Tono. All in all there are around 300 items in the collection.

Tono had systems in place for logistic support before the disaster, and it is hoped that the city’s efforts and the lessons learned will be of use in the event of future natural disasters.

Yamada’s Urban Revitalization Plan - first in Iwate to be authorized

Yamada’s Urban Revitalization Plan was officially authorized by the national government on Tuesday, March 24. It is the first municipal plan in Iwate to receive this authorization, and the second nationwide after Onagawa, Miyagi.

Under an Urban Revitalization Plan, the national government provides support to rebuild business districts in towns damaged by the 2011 disaster. Along with encouraging the creation of commercial and public facilities, these plans allow for a more complete reconstruction of the surrounding town. Grant money can be received once a plan is authorized.

Yamada’s plan is to fill the 3.3-hectare lot to the east of Rikuchu-Yamada Station with a large number of facilities concentrated in a small area. Construction will cost approximately 690 million yen, with 70% covered by the national Reconstruction Agency, and the project is planned to be completed by March 2016.

Features

Brand New Local Delicacy in Ofunato!
Britain’s famous Fish & Chips
On sale at last!

Ofunato was so grateful to the UK rescue team that rushed to the area after 3.11 that they’ve come up with their own brand of fish and chips.

• Ofunato Fish & Chips （Facebook, JPN）（外部リンク）

March 29 Grand Opening!
Hotel Folkloro Sanriku-Kamaishi

A new hotel has opened beside JR Kamaishi Station for local tourism and reconstruction support. The perfect travel hub for Sanriku!

• Hotel Folkloro Sanriku-Kamaishi（外部リンク）

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 Keiko Ogasawara and her Moshokom Theater Troupe.

• Keiko Ogasawara and the Moshokom Theater Troupe

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

• Human casualties/deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,129
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,163

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

Donations for survivors: Around 18.22276 billion yen （90,908 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.63144 billion yen （7,249 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 7.31317 billion yen （15,123 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 82. April 15, 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 83 will be published on May 1.

• News from Iwate's Reconstruction