Fukushima Prefecture Hope Tourism General Guidebook
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DDReveedundDevLopmecalntelontion action isasteisr Pastrer I want to save lives that wouldn’t have to be lostI want to save lives that wouldn’t have to be lostConveying human emotion and humanityConveying human emotion and humanity“I want to save as many lives as possible from needless loss.” This thought has been a constant driving force for me. The compound disaster experienced by Fukushima has never been experienced anywhere in the world before. We are at the forefront of world history, and we are witnesses giving testimony. If we don’t use the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we won’t be able to face those who lost their lives. It is predicted that future disasters will be even bigger, so our experiences can definitely be useful, which is what those who have experienced the disaster should do. That’s why I’ve been involved in these activities, and I see myself as a speaker, to pass on the lessons and experiences of the disaster. I want to tell people what I have witnessed, and how I see other areas from my perspective. How far can I realistically convey what I see in Fukushima? First of all, I want visitors to look through my lens and try to understand Fukushima. As people do that, I think that they will gradually develop their own perspective. “Furusato” (Hometown) is not just a location, but rather a place where people connect with each other. That’s why I want people to cherish this area. No one can live alone. Instead of blaming the disaster, we have been able to discover many things because of it. What would you do if the same thing happened to you? It is very important to treat events as your own business. I want to convey to people that the things that are important in Fukushima today are equally important in the communities of everyone who visits.Specially-appointed professor, Fukushima Future Center for Regional Revitalization, Fukushima University, and Representative Director, Fukushima Cooperative Reconstruction CenterHe was in charge of the management of “BIG PALLET FUKUSHIMA” in Koriyama, which became one of the largest evacuation shelters in Tohoku at the time of the disaster. Based on his experience of the supporting activities at the shelter, he developed the “Sasukenable” educational tool for simulating evacuation shelter management. In preparation for potential future disasters, he shares lessons learned from the disaster and Fukushima’s experience with people. He also supports activities for rebuilding the lives of those affected by the disaster and forming new communities.Following the disaster, he returned to his hometown of Katsurao Village and founded the general incorporated association KATSURYOKU SOUZOUSYA. In order to prevent the collapse of the community in Katsurao Village, he strives to strengthen the local community and develop human resources that will support the vitality of the community. In addition, KATSURYOKU SOUZOUSYA through business development, such as by launching projects that utilise local resources, and continues to value human relationships.The most important thing for me in continuing my activities is to convey the ‘warmth’ that can only be understood by being on the ground. It is not easy to have the opportunity to come into direct contact with something invisible, such as feelings, friendship, and hope for the future. Hope Tourism is both a gateway and an opportunity. I think it is very important to meet directly with people who come to Katsurao Village and are interested in Fukushima, even if for a short time, because it opens up a lot of possibilities later on. We need to create a place where people can come when they decide “I want to go back”. So we are gradually building ties with the village. More and more people are taking concrete action; for example, children who visited Katsurao Village through Hope Tourism have returned as interns when they became university students, or have started to visit the village regularly. Above all, I try to convey humanity not by using clever words, but by valuing emotional movement more than knowledge and information. Nowhere else has had the same experience as Fukushima Prefecture and Katsurao Village. I feel that there are many good examples that show how to achieve a sustainable society, making this a good place for considering the future of Japan. I hope people will think carefully about how we have found a way out of the resentment we have learned from the disaster, and how the region can survive from now on. I would be happy if Hope Tourism could encourage people to think, even if only a little, about the future that lies ahead.focuses on community development Representative Director, KATSURYOKU SOUZOUSYAShitaeda Hironori23Amano Kazuhiko

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