Iwate moving toward reconstruction (Ver.2)

­This is a record of the reconstruction from March 2011 to March 2017 after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in Iwate.

­The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck the coast of Iwate on March 11, 2011, and claimed the lives of 5,135 people, both directly and indirectly.

Looking back, Iwate prefecture progressed through the first phase of the reconstruction (from 2011 until 2013) while being supported by people both in Iwate and beyond. The primary focus for this foundational period was to prioritize the emergency restoration efforts that would serve as the very first step to recovery. During phase 2, the full-fledged reconstruction period (from 2014 until 2016), they proceeded with community development in concurrence with the reconstruction, brought stability to the lives of survivors, rebuilt homes, and restored industries in hopes of creating sustainable communities for the future.

A shining example of that was the “Land of Hope, Iwate” National Sports Festival and the “Land of Hope, Iwate” National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities. Th­ese events, held in 2016, were a bridge to reconstruction, with the slogan, “Spreading the joy. Giving thanks.” ­These events were a rousing success and gave the opportunity to show the strength of the local communities as well as celebrate the new relationships forged in the embers of the disaster.

This publication helps people learn about the reconstruction in Iwate, and that people in Japan and throughout the world use this information to help respond to various natural disasters and advanced reconstruction work wherever it is needed.