PACIFIC CONSULTANTS deeply supports the concept of "World Bosai Walk TOHOKU+10," organized by the World BOSAI Forum, and its desire to spread the message of "Build Back Better" to the world, and is sponsoring this walking event. *Main photo: On the day of the interview, the walking team visited the Sendai Municipal Arahama Elementary School, a site of earthquake damage. They were guided by Mr. KAWAMURA, a local resident. (From right: Mr. YOSHINO, secretary-general of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. KAWAMURA, guide; Mr. ONO, Executive Manager of World BOSAI Forum; Mr. SAKAMOTO, PACIFIC CONSULTANTS (currently seconded to International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University); and Mr. Feng, Meiji University.
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- We're starting from Shioyazaki Lighthouse in Taira-Usuiso, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture!
- We're moving north at a rate of about 20km each day!
- Walk is now broadcasting to the world!
We're starting from Shioyazaki Lighthouse in Taira-Usuiso, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture!
World Bosai Walk TOHOKU+10 is a walking event that takes approximately 40 days to traverse the Tohoku coast from Fukushima to Aomori, conveying the stories of "Build Back Better" from people living and working in the region to both domestic and international audiences.
Due to the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus variant, the journey along the Tohoku coast began on February 23, 2022 (a national holiday, Wednesday), from Shioyazaki Lighthouse in Taira-Usuiso, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture, approximately six months later than originally planned for September 2021, after taking full precautions against infectious diseases.
The starting point, the Usuiso district, was the area in Iwaki City that suffered the most severe damage. On the second day of the walk, we welcomed the district head as a guest and conducted a town walk and discussion. In this district, where disaster prevention green spaces have been beautifully maintained, almost all of the houses of 766 people in 265 households were swept away by the Tsunami. The memorial monument is inscribed with the names of 122 residents who lost their lives.
We're moving north at a rate of about 20km each day!
On February 27th, I made a slight detour to Kawauchi Village. The Tohoku coastal region is not the only area working on recovery. Kawauchi Village, which has taken in many evacuees from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, is challenging itself with a new industry utilizing wine. With the vast vineyards as a backdrop, Mr. KITAMURA, Director of Kawauchi Wine Co., Ltd., gave me an overview of the wine development process. As part of disaster recovery, a challenge to new agriculture, and an initiative for regional revitalization, they aim to produce a solid wine using winemaking grapes, and it is finally ready to be released and will be shipped soon.
Walk is now broadcasting to the world!
Updates on the walk are being shared on World BOSAI Forum's website and social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube). Where are they walking now? What kind of scenery are they seeing? If you are interested in the current situation and recovery in Tohoku, please follow and subscribe to the channel.
Our company's Disaster Prevention Dept., Masashi SAKAMOTO (currently seconded to Tohoku University), will be walking for approximately 40 days together with Professor ONO from International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University University, who is also Representative of Board of Directors of World BOSAI Forum. If you see them during the walk, please say hello; it will be a great encouragement for us!
