9/10/2011 (Video) Reconstruction Challenges Six Months after the Great East Japan Earthquake

Source: NHK World: Japan 7 Days
Date: 9/10/2011
by: Minori Takao


Six months have passed since the earthquake and tsunami wreaked havoc on northeastern Japan. This week's Japan 7 Days examines the current situation, the progress to date, and the challenges for reconstruction.

Physical Infrastructure
Minamisanriku, in Miyagi Prefecture, is one of the hardest-hit communities. Newscaster Minori Takao went back to the town for the first time since May to assess the progress in reconstruction of infrastructure and removal of rubble. She also reports on how a temporary shopping street is restoring some sense of normalcy to residents' daily lives.

Social Infrastructure
All of Minamisanriku's evacuation centers were closed by the end of August, once people were relocated to temporary housing. While they have a roof over their head, they lack the community ties that had been established in their old neighborhoods. The town has started sending personnel around to make sure residents don't fall into isolation. Temporary home dwellers have also taken steps of their own, including setting up a "salon" to foster communication.

Business and Industry
Fishing used to be a lucrative occupation in the Omoe district of the city of Miyako. Some fishermen earned more than $130,000 dollars annually. The tsunami, however, washed away most of the area's 800 fishing vessels. A lack of financial aid from the government made things worse. The local fishermen's association started collaborative projects to help, but income has fallen dramatically. The fishermen, however, are not giving up.

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
Updates on Reactors 1-4 and impediments to resolving the crisis.

Persons Displaced by the Fukushima Meltdown
All 11,000 residents of the town where four of the six Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant reactors are located don't know whether they will be able to return. Some are coming to terms with the necessity of restarting their lives in different places.