SEEDS Asia English website

Ten years have passed since a massive earthquake and tsunami devastated Tohoku region in eastern Japan in 2011 affecting a wide swath of people and assets (Officially called the “East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 11 March 2011”).

The region was again struck by an earthquake two weeks ago, with officials classifying it as an “aftershock” of the earlier 2011 disaster. As this aftershock struck the region, it reminded the local residents of the 2011 event, and its impacts and damage still fresh in their mind, ten years later.

We always need to remember the 2011 disaster to draw lessons and experiences of the deadly event and use them to protect our lives and ensure safety. SEEDS Asia was actively involved in community recovery and reconstruction in Kesanuma City from 2011 to 2017, working with the local governments, schools, local organizations and residents. Five years after the disaster, a short movie was prepared as a record of our activities.

On 20th February 2021, the movie was shown at the 7th AXA UNESCO Educational Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation. Director of SEEDS Asia, Dr. Yukihiko Oikawa (Principal Researcher of the Center for Ocean Literacy and Education), and Advisor, Mr. Yasutaka Ueda (Associate Professor of Niigata University) participated the event as coordinator / lecturer.

We sincerely hope this movie will help to reflect on the disasters and learn how local communities have engaged in recovery efforts, and keep the memory alive in our minds. It was an intensive experience to share the process of reconstruction and recovery of Kesennuma City, and we would like to express our gratitude to all supporters and partners of this initiative.

The work on these initiatives are also creating new bonds with other disaster-affected areas – for example, the Naganuma District in Nagano Prefecture where SEEDS Asia is supporting recovery from the disaster caused by Typhoon Hagibis in 2019. Hashikami District in Kesennuma City shared their experiences and knowledge of the district level recovery plan with Naganuma during recent online interactions.

SEEDS Asia will sincerely continue in its efforts to pass on lessons and experiences of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, the East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and other disasters we have being working in the Asia-Pacific region, to help communities and countries become more resilient and to reduce disaster risks.