FukushimaFukushima TodayToday andand TomorrowTomorrow

Comments from people in disaster-stricken areas, five years after the earthquake

Progress in the reconstruction of including the revitalization of the Hamadori area is drawing attention. Little by little, people have been returning to areas that suffered from the nuclear disaster and have begun to build new communities. What are the issues that they are now trying to overcome, and what are the goals that they are aiming to achieve? Let’s hear from those leading these efforts, five years after the earthquake

Five years have passed since 3/11. In Fukushima, January 2016). The progress of reconstruction where reconstruction efforts are being made in the varies by municipality, and the true damage to wake of the nuclear disaster, the evacuation orders housing, as well as the mental and physical health for Tamura City, Kawauchi Village, and Naraha issues caused by prolonged evacuation orders has Town were lifted in April 2014, October 2014, and gradually been coming to light. September 2015 respectively. In order to reconsider these conditions and to The restrictions on automobile traffic on part of present a dynamic pathway toward reconstruction, Route 6 were removed, and subsequently, the the national government formulated a revised Joban Expressway was fully reopened, which version of the guidelines titled, For Accelerating the strengthened linkages with the metropolitan area. Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Furthermore, Fukushima Prefectural Futaba Future Disaster (June 2015). It calls for the enhancement of School was founded, and radioactive waste began measures seeking the safe and prompt return of to be transferred to interim storage facilities. residents, including plans and policies concerning These and many other important measures toward decommissioning and contaminated water reconstruction are being intensified. management, as well as the expansion and enrichment of efforts to rebuild the businesses and New guidelines for occupations of disaster victims so that they may accelerating reconstruction return to self-reliance and reinvigorated lives. In March 2015, the Intensive Reconstruction Period were also formulated ended, and FY 2015 marks the launch of the Nonetheless, it is still necessary to solve many Revitalization Period. This journal edition explores issues in order to recover from the damage caused the ideas and thoughts of communities, companies, by the earthquake. The number of evacuees from and individuals in the disaster-stricken areas as we throughout Fukushima Prefecture is 99,000 (as of enter this new phase of revitalization.

CLICK! ˜“For Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster” (Guidelines for the Reconstruction of Fukushima) (in Japanese)

04 METI Journal Fukushima Today and Tomorrow METI Journal 05 The concert scheduled for March 13, across . Through these It is 2011 seemingly would have been activities, she has been successively Mr. Kenichi Yamauchi, Industry Promotion Department forgotten amidst the confusion in the developing new opportunities and My theme is “restructuring food systems.” Last year in meaningful wake of the earthquake. “I got a networks to meet and connect 2015, for the first time in five years, salmon fishing phone call from a parent whose child people and communities. resumed and we were able to hold a pole-and-line fishing was to sing the folk song Naraha “We will finally be able to resume event. In addition, flowers and rice grown in Naraha began to “continue Ondo at the concert. The parent said to be sold in the market, so we now have an impression that her/his child had continued full-scale training for the Ushiokai in Naraha Town this year. I do wonder that our efforts are gradually bearing fruit. We believe that practicing every day, which our persistent and steady efforts to address challenges will here.” encouraged me to resume our how many children will come back to practice. However, I’m returning to certainly pave the way for revitalizing the town’s agriculture, Representative of the drumming group, activities,” she said. forestry, and fishery industries within a 10- to 20-year the Tenjin Naraha-Town because I think I ought Daiko Ushiokai Ms. Takahara, representative of the to continue offering our taiko timeframe. I feel our desire to “bring back the vitality and The leader of a Japanese fabric handicraft original scenery of times past” is getting stronger. workshop called Honobono Naraha Tenjin Daiko Ushiokai, a performances and handicraft drumming group whose members workshops here in this town.” are children from Naraha Town, and Ms. Kaneko Takahara May people pay attention to Naraha also the leader of Honobono, a Round table talks Naraha Tenjin Daiko is a Japanese taiko (drum) Town. performance created by Ms. Takahara. The Japanese fabric handicraft workshop, between the personnel number of members of Honobono exceeds 80. is one of those who have been Her commitment is only growing of Naraha Town Hall dedicated to rebuilding local stronger. At Tenjinmisaki Shiokazesou / communities. She gathered children Cycling Terminal, the only who had been dispersed as tourist facility in Naraha Town evacuees in various areas to hold a concert in . Her activities also We believe that Naraha Town will ultimately include holding exhibitions of hanging decorations for Japan’s Girls’ Festival become even more fun and full of life than and dolls handcrafted by the members of Honobono, both in and it was before the earthquake. outside Fukushima Prefecture, and Ms. Emi Noguchi, Mr. Masahiro Matsumoto, Public Welfare Department Members energetically play the taiko inside Reconstruction Promotion Department their works have drawn attention for and outside the town their refinement and brightness Living standards at evacuation I strongly feel that “youthful energy” is sites might be higher than those coming into the area, which allows here in Naraha Town. However, this me to expect that we will be able to Naraha Town is the first to have its evacuation doesn’t necessarily indicate create a town that will become even order lifted by the government among the whether the minds of residents at more fun and full of life than it was municipalities from which all the residents had to evacuation sites are more happy or before the earthquake. I think many evacuate. satisfied. I want to start collecting people outside the town are watching NARAHA With the slogan “Reviving Naraha,” its new journey each resident’s opinion, bring it closely it will be transformed. I’m toward creating a future has started. back to the office, and make use of wondering how we can best reach What are the expectations and challenges for the Town it for further projects. I will also find out to them to communicate the town’s future? Key persons from the town explain. ways for collaboration among the town’s attractive and unique qualities. various departments at Town Hall, If we build the town back up, with with increasing efforts made jointly new, fresh, and invigorated by multiple constituencies, foundations, then little by little it will disaster radio system and planning including initiatives like holding not simply resume its former identity Start with fun in various community events. Through events to commemorate the lifting before the earthquake, but it will these efforts, “I started to strongly feel of the evacuation order. transcend it. building the town the importance of helping each other Representative of the project in the society in which I have been group Naranoha living,” he said. Mr. Tsutomu Sato CLICK! ˜Project Group Naranoha “During the activities, what makes me “Naranoha” was established in (in Japanese) Naraha Town | Comments December 2014. It was adopted as a happy is to hear participants say, by the personnel in charge Mental Recovery Project by the in March 2015. ‘Although it was hard work, I enjoyed it.’ The town’s ideal reconstruction should be one that starts with fun.” Like each leaf of a , a kind of oak “In addition, we sold handicrafts made tree, which is made up of a collection by residents and also asked shops in These grassroots activities have of interconnected veins, each member Naraha Town to open booths at the become a major driving force for the proceeds hand in hand with the others festival. I think it would be perfect if new-born Naraha Town. toward revitalizing Naraha (Nara is participants could get together through “oak tree,” and ha is “leaf”) Town, as these kinds of events, leading to the well as realizing the true restoration of dissemination of new culture and the The events conducted by Naranoha include health-themed festivals and the dissemination mind and body. Bearing this concept development of new products.” of culture as well as tours to experience Reconstruction Promotion Department, in mind, Mr. Tsutomu Sato established Naraha Town. Naraha Town Hall a project group called Naranoha, Mr. Sato is also an active member of Mr. Hiroyuki Ohira (center) the Nanikashitai Squad, which stands Mr. Manabu Okada (left) which means leaves of a nara tree. Mr. Hiroyoshi Tsuchiya (right) for “We hope to be of service to Focusing on reevaluating local someone” in Japanese, which is Looking toward the full-scale recovery of the traditions, its members served local town, we aim not only to restore and comprised mainly of volunteers from dishes and performed folk songs at the Left: Candle Night, held on the day when evacuation orders are lifted, is an initiative to pray for reconstruct but also to create a “new-born Naraha Town. The Squad’s members recovery from the disaster. Mr. Matsumoto led the event, with Candle JUNE as the producer. Naraha” by proceeding with projects such as Naranowa Festival, held at the Naraha completing Compact Town, which is to currently conduct activities such as Upper right: In October 2015, the long-awaited pole-and-line salmon fishing event resumed. include various attractive facilities, developing Town Support Center in Iwaki City. Lower right: A scene at a health-promotion event. There has been an urgent need to develop industrial parks, and inviting companies. cheering up residents using the health / medical welfare facilities and secure human resources to support the lives of residents since the evacuation order was lifted. CLICK! ˜Naraha Town Official Website (in Japanese)

06 METI Journal Fukushima Today and Tomorrow METI Journal 07 village will increase little by little. They will see us cultivating rice In Katsurao Village, which used to be popular whenever they travel through this as a scenic place, efforts for encouraging I want to remember evacuees to return to the village are being made. village, which will surely encourage All villagers, from those who have long been them. We should look for what we the individual faces KATSURAO central to the vitality of the area and farmland can do for the time being, and in so to the youth who will play key roles in the future doing be better prepared to take on of all 1,500 villagers VILLAGE village, have been continuously striving for various challenges in the future.” ways to secure traction for revitalization. Supervisor, Citizens’ Affairs Section, Citizens’ Affairs Division, Katsurao Village Office Mr. Kota Saito “It’s been about 16 years since I will be able to continue to earn our He described the impression he had of returned from Tokyo to this village in living through farming in the future.” Katsurao Village when he first visited before order to take over the family farm. being hired by the Office, saying, “I found At first, I had very little idea what to Exploring new methods the village really quiet and felt as if there had been no one living there. And to be do, but after working for ten years, while continuing to honest, I felt a bit frightened at first. At the I began to feel that I was becoming same time, I knew that I wanted to see a accustomed to working as a farmer. cultivate brighter future for the village while being most closely connected with it.” Then, the earthquake occurred,” Although Mr. Matsumoto faced Fukushima Ouse Winery said Mr. Kunihisa Matsumoto. harsh realities, he was one of the Mr. Saito, who was born in Ibaraki “Surely, five years removed from first people to take action at an Koriyama City and the Mitsubishi Prefecture, came to know about early stage. He began to cultivate Corporation Disaster Relief farming has had significantly Foundation (MCDRF) reached a Katsurao Village for the first time while negative adverse effects on farmers. rice on a trial basis together with partnership agreement in reading a newspaper. The article said February 2015, and the “Sixth Some may feel that although they his peers in 2012. After repeated that the Katsurao Village Office was to Industrialization” Project on Fruit conduct employment examinations “I’m really happy when the villagers wish to resume farming, they have safety tests on the rice, they Farming was launched. The I feel happy when shifted to cultivation on a purpose of this Project is to because of a personnel shortage. greet me, calling my name, ‘Kota-kun.’ lost the physical strength that they villagers greet me, When I visited a women’s association demonstration basis, having establish the production and “The article made me wonder why the once had before the earthquake to sales of wines and liqueurs made Office was facing a personnel calling me “Kota-kun” that was preparing meals for a festival work the field and barnyards actual shipments in mind. At from Fukushima-grown fruits as shortage, because I had the the other day, they had me eat a lot, meetings of the Study Group on a business model, so as to In 2013, Mr. Saito became an official saying that I should put my feet up throughout the year. At this promote agriculture. In October impression that there were plenty of moment, I’m not sure whether we Irrigated Rice, which consists of 2015, the construction of persons who were willing to support at the Katsurao Village Office. “I was and stay awhile,” he laughed. “On this seven households and is chaired Fukushima Ouse Winery was disaster-stricken areas.” lost with the accent here,” he laughed. kind of occasion, I can think that I may by Mr. Matsumoto, members are completed in Ouse Town, “Here, the Office and the villagers are have been accepted as a member of Koriyama City. The Winery is to When the earthquake occurred, Mr. building very close relationships, and this village.” continuously exchanging opinions produce 12,000 liters of alcoholic Saito was a university student. He was beverages annually, including all villagers know each other. Katsurao on rice cultivation using new shocked by the earthquake, and at Village truly is the kind of town and Plans for building the Reconstruction wines and liqueurs, and is Interchange Hall are being carried out methods. expected to revitalize the local that time, he almost lost sight of the countryside that we often see in movies. economy through collaboration meaning of studying in a university. He Nature here is rich and beautiful.” for the return of evacuated villagers. “It “When evacuation orders are lifted, with farmers in Ouse Town. made up his mind to apply for this job seems things are beginning to move in the number of people visiting this while also being encouraged by what He belongs to the Citizens’ Affairs a good direction,” said Mr. Saito. He his father said: “I think you are suitable Division, which deals with certificates mentioned one of his goals, saying, “I for this kind of job.” He looked back of residence, family registers, and wish to work here for a long time, and on those days, saying, “I wanted to pensions. In addition to these tasks, to remember the faces and names of contribute to the village, and I also he dedicates himself to providing all the villagers to the extent that I can wished to change myself.” responses to matters related to the immediately describe anyone in the nuclear disaster. village when asked about him or her.” I hope I can Katsurao Village Comments by the personnel in charge The most critical issue the village is facing is encourage its declining population. As a first step, we are establishing opportunities and mechanisms for encouraging people to make visit us. One of our efforts is to people through develop the Reconstruction Interchange Hall through collaboration with the College of Engineering of . Aiming to increase the number of persons visiting this village, mainly targeting young people, we cultivating rice. hope to have the Hall serve as a practical and emotive symbol of reconstruction. For example, we would like companies and universities to use the Hall when providing training. Also, participants in the (Mustard Flower) Project, which makes use Mr. Kunihisa Matsumoto of unutilized farmland, have been increasing little by little. The area of the rapeseed fields “It is necessary to try bold changes in the has expanded and is now 9 hectares, with plans to harvest and process oil from them methods we have employed so far, while at through collaboration with Tohoku University the same time treasuring such traditional in the spring of 2016. Furthermore, while Mr. Yoshitaka Fujimoto (right) considering feedback from villagers, we are methods,” said Mr. Matsumoto. “I want to creating a mascot for this village jointly with have continuous discussions on how to Mr. Masahiro Nishizaka (left) Koriyama Women’s College. We are to hold create added value.” Reconstruction Measures Section, a vote among the villagers to choose the Policy Planning and Coordination mascot and will announce the results around Division, Katsurao Village Office the spring of 2016.

CLICK! ˜Official website of Katsurao Village (in Japanese)

08 METI Journal Fukushima Today and Tomorrow METI Journal 09 Support through both “soft” and Essential “hard” approaches! Aspects of NAMIE Policies Town Measures for the reconstruction of Fukushima by METI and the national government are progressing. We will introduce several representative examples, including efforts for which results have started to steadily appear as well as activities that were newly launched in 2015. A total of 18 business operators have returned to the town to reopen their businesses. Promoting the Innovation Coast Scheme With the prospect of integrating We will introduce two of the many projects being carried out under The Fukushima International Research with the Innovation Coast Scheme, Industrial City (Innovation Coast) Framework, which aims to build new industrial infrastructure in the Hamadori seeds for building a new town and If we become pioneers area of Fukushima Prefecture and to develop towns and communities from a regional perspective. creating new ventures have been nurtured. in this town, many people may follow.

From the left, Mr. Yoshiki Itakura, Mr. Hidehiro Asada, Mr. Munehiro Asada, Ms. Miho Kubota

Mr. Munehiro Asada (Representative Mr. Hidehiro Asada have been led by people like Director and President) (Representative Director) Mr. Asada. Improving the living Courtesy of the JAEA Asada Mokuzai Sangyou Co., Ltd. At present, our company has 14 environment and providing As enterprises return to the town employees. They commute from infrastructure are our minimum Naraha Remote Technology Development Center and provide job opportunities, responsibilities. By being proactively distant places, determined to stay at involved in the Innovation Coast Fukushima Hama-Dori Robot Testing Zone This is a test facility in Naraha Town for smoothly proceeding people should follow, and facilities our company as they have a strong Scheme, we will assist business Robot testing has been conducted at “live locations” such with the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear like shops and hospitals should desire to come back to live in Namie operators so that they can rebuild as bridges, tunnels, dams, fields, and mountainsides. Test Power Station. Partial operation of the facility began in increase in number. Bearing this in Town. As the town is located in the their businesses and take part in the demonstrations began in response to applications from September 2015 in order to conduct full-scale mind, we resumed business in northern gateway to Futaba District, core of the new industries in the many companies, universities, and research institutions. demonstration tests and training using virtual reality. February 2014. In the Hamadori it will have a good opportunity to disaster-affected areas. When this is region, Japan’s first CLT (Cross influence the entire region as achieved, we can say that the town Laminated Timber) processing and reconstruction proceeds. I would take has truly been revived. CLICK! ˜Innovation Coast Scheme distribution facilities are scheduled on as much cooperation as possible Ms. Miho Kubota to be constructed. In preparation for to realize that. Most importantly, we this, we have already strengthened would like to demonstrate that we are Although the subsidy system is our production systems. As able to continue our business in this available to support the reopening of Supporting Fukushima Drawing Attention as “a Place for chairman of the Fukushima town. businesses, more than a few people Prefectural Federation of Lumber are “anxious about the future” as Establishment of Rapid Progress of New Business” Cooperative Associations, I am now Mr. Yoshiki Itakura they weigh the many challenges. We Businesses! The first company to expand into Fukushima under the Project holding meetings for a study group Manufacture and Commerce are considering what additional kinds for Promoting the Establishment of Businesses in Fukushima was Race Corporation, which decided to construct a factory at Section, Industry Promotion and of support measures we can work The revitalization of business activities is one of regarding the CLT project jointly with Hirono Industrial Park (Hirono Town). “The sincere attitudes of Compensation Management out in coordination with business the most important factors for accomplishing relevant officials from the prefectural the town officials as well as the conditions of the subsidies Division, Namie Town Office operators. In addition, in order to sound and sustainable reconstruction. In order to government and university create job opportunities and thus encourage the were impressive. It takes just two minutes to reach the counter the damage caused by industrial park from the Hirono interchange. One of the key researchers. With the hope of doing return of residents to disaster-stricken areas, Reconstruction cannot be achieved groundless rumors about the local METI launched the Project for Promoting the reasons we decided to construct the factory in Hirono was that away with groundless rumors and only through the efforts of Town Hall produce, we will responsibly Establishment of Businesses in Fukushima in logistics would run smoothly there.” (Left, President Masumi realizing strong sales of lumber officials. It is of course the residents March 2015. As part of this initiative, we have Suzuki) Race Corporation sells cosmetics for children in Japan disseminate the status of the town’s and overseas. Overseas clients expect “made in Japan” produced in Fukushima Prefecture, and business operators who should recovery and the activities of made concerted efforts to provide information to play crucial roles. We feel that we over 200 organizations and companies regarding products to have enhanced security and safety, and one way to we are taking steps forward. business operators through events the status of reconstruction in Fukushima, as well The signing ceremony for the respond to this market need is construction of this factory. held both locally and afar. as explain the various favorable support measures establishment of a factory held in “Subsidies can help companies, even if the companies are not in place for the establishment of businesses, August 2015. The factory will start very big, to have factories, expand their business with which helped some companies to make decision operations in 2017 and will employ increased profitability. We hope to be a model for this. We are Changing future infrastructure in Widening the Sakata Underpass running We will continue to provide companies, industry about 30 to 40 people. granted to use taxpayer money, so we think that we should Namie Town Comments by organizations, and financial institutions with this Namie Town under the JR-East Joban Line is expected the personnel in charge return the benefits we have received to society if only a little, to improve traffic efficiency in the town information, as well as the important subsidies, CLICK! ˜Race Corporation by increasing the employment of people in Fukushima.” Mr. Akisato Oshima as well as to vitalize logistics and through collaboration with Fukushima Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and and local municipalities. We will support the Fisheries Section, Industry interaction between people and promotion of the establishment of businesses businesses. Furthermore, in preparation Promotion and Compensation Management Division, Namie for an increase in traffic following the Town Office lifting of the evacuation order, we have ¢Subvention for the businesses who create These assist manufacturing and other businesses in acquiring sites for In addition to set meals factories (manufacturing), distribution facilities, and experimental and employment in areas affected by the tsunami Industrial Facilities Division, METI begun to improve the Kawazoe Railroad with Namie-grown rice research facilities, as well as with other initial expenses related to the and the nuclear accident (Supporting project establishment of these facilities, from the construction of the buildings to 03-3501-1677 Crossing where driving facing oncoming that were served at a for the manufacturers and other businesses) traffic used to be difficult. We will also cafeteria at the University the installation of production equipment. of Tokyo, vegetables, contribute to easing congestion as well flowers, and eggs have These assist businesses with initial expenses for installing machinery, Fukushima Industrial Reconstruction as to securing safety around the Namie started to appear on the ¢Subsidies for the establishment of businesses equipment, etc. in facilities such as factories (manufacturing industries), Promotion Office, METI Town Regional Sports Center, which market. We would like to in Fukushima distribution facilities, and experimental and research facilities. 03-3501-8574 make our dreams come Widening single-lane roads to provide two lanes many townspeople are expected to use. to meet the daily needs of returning residents true one by one. ¢Subvention for the businesses which creates  These assist businesses in manufacturing, wholesale and retail, employment by supporting the efforts for food-service, and living-related services in acquiring sites such as those self-reliance and return to the disaster area for factories, stores, and company housing, as well as with other initial Industrial Facilities Division, METI 03-3501-1677 CLICK! ˜Namie Town Official CLICK! ˜Namie Town Official (Support project for the businesses in the expenses for establishing businesses, from construction to the installation of equipment. Website (in Japanese) Facebook Page (in manufacturing and service industries, etc.) Japanese) 10 METI Journal Fukushima Today and Tomorrow METI Journal 11 Focusing on Measures against Reputational Damage Backing Up Self-Reliance Caused by Harmful Rumors or Misinformation The goal is to realize sound reconstruction. To this end, the national government is focusing on measures Launch of Public-private Joint Teams against damage caused by groundless rumors or misinformation, for example, release of the Policy Package on Response to Harmful Rumor. How can we resolve issues such as the reluctance to purchase products produced in Fukushima Prefecture and the decrease in the number of tourists? ---- We picked out three past activities to help answer these questions. A policy of “intensively developing support measures to be taken for the self-reliance of Director-general of the ›  disaster-stricken business operators over the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters Kasumigaseki Fukushima Approved the establishment of the Public-private next two years” was stipulated in the Policy for Fukushima Soso Reconstruction Conference Reconstruction Fair Accelerating the Reconstruction of Fukushima from the Nuclear Disaster (revised), which the Adopting “Buy, Eat, and Support Fukushima!!” as a catchphrase, Public-private Fukushima Soso seven government ministries held the Kasumigaseki Fukushima Cabinet approved in June 2015. In response Reconstruction Conference Reconstruction Fair in a relay, from July 29 through August 6, to this, the Public-private Fukushima Soso Director-general of the Vice of President of Fukushima 2015. At the event, products produced in Fukushima Prefecture Local Nuclear Fukushima Soso Reconstruction Relevant Reconstruction Joint Team was established in Emergency Response Prefecture Corporation such as fruits, processed food, confections, beverages, and Headquarters municipalities August 2015. It is comprised of representatives Economic brand-name sake were exhibited and sold, and tourism in Secretariat Observers Opinions, organizations Fukushima Prefecture was promoted. In METI, specialties and new from three entities: the Nuclear Emergency Secretary-general of the —Secretary-general of the Fukushima Headquarters for Fukushima etc. Local Nuclear Emergency in Fukushima, Reconstruction and Revitalization etc. products including peaches, a well-known product from Response Headquarters under the Cabinet Response Headquarters —Tohoku Regional Agricultural Administration Office •Director-General, Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Fukushima were sold. Also, an antenna shop called Office, Fukushima Prefecture, and Fukushima •Chairman & CEO of the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, JAPAN (SME Support, JAPAN) etc. Fukushima-kan (MIDETTE) was introduced, and applications for Soso Reconstruction Corporation. The plan is credit cards to support the reconstruction of Fukushima (Fukurum to individually and closely support about 8,000 Conducting activities as a public-private joint team based on cards) were accepted. This was the first intensive effort in a short the decisions of the Conference disaster-stricken business operators by having period of time by state ministries. a total of about 180 team members regularly stationed at four bases in Fukushima, Public-private Fukushima Soso Reconstruction Joint Team Koriyama, Iwaki, and Tokyo. Specifically, they National government, individually visit business operators in 12 *SME Support, JAPAN etc.* › Sale of Rice Produced in Namie municipalities in areas such as evacuation is also participating. Town at the University of Tokyo zones and gain an understanding of their requests and intentions. Moreover, a team The University of Tokyo has concluded a support agreement with

which is composed of experts such as Prefecture Cabinet Office, Private Namie Town and championed its decontamination and Government of Japan sector reconstruction efforts after the earthquake. Rice produced in Namie consultants and Small and Medium Enterprise Nuclear Emergency Response Town has been sold at the university cooperative store since Management Consultants has been organized Headquarters November 2015. The Faculty of Agriculture and the Radioisotope and provides support for the solution of issues These organizations conduct Center at the University of Tokyo have cooperated in demonstrations such as the restarting of businesses, career cross-organization support Fukushima Soso of rice-farming in Namie Town since 2014. The safety of the rice, related to visiting business Reconstruction which was harvested in 2014 and again in 2015, was ensured through changes, and the reconstruction of lives. They Fukushima Corporation Prefecture operators, consulting, and careful inspection of all sacks. After safety was confirmed, sales of have visited more than 3,500 business the restarting of businesses operators during the first seven months since the rice were realized. Additionally, this time, rice from Namie Town was served in the student cafeteria. A Namie Combo (500 yen), with they started their activities. They are fully tempura and other foods, became popular with students. backing up every possible business operator so that they are able to restart their businesses.

Facing business operators --- From the sites of individual visits Dissemination of Fukushima Attractiveness by METI Starting with the “Support Fukushima Fair!” in May 2011 and The importance of “meeting Showing prospects for the Thinking, “If I were you…” and other activities, METI has continued to conduct events and face to face” future putting myself in their shoes carry out efforts aiming to reconstruct industries in Fukushima. For example, the fourth Fukushima Industry “I had thought about retiring, but after Motivation for the self-reliance of business When visiting business operators, Reconstruction Fair, held in January 2015, earned visitors like this, I thought I’d like to start operators themselves is essential for the sometimes I begin the conversation by approximately 840,000 yen by selling products such as again.” This comment from a business reconstruction of businesses. So, when talking about their daily lives so that they strawberries and ampo-gaki persimmons. And, time-limited operator remains in my heart and reminds visiting with them individually, I ask them can be more relaxed and feel freer to talk assortments of foodstuffs produced in Fukushima Prefecture me of the importance of meeting face to about what they’d like to do and their about their true concerns and real such as rice, fish, chicken, and vegetables were served at face. When I asked business operators visions for management. Through these intentions. Their opinions vary, depending the cafeterias in METI. At convenience stores, specialties about the future development of the conversations, I noticed that there are on factors such as their business type, from Fukushima such as processed food, confections, town, I heard many express that the wish many business operators who have not region, and family structure. I was beverages, and brand-name sake are available. for community facilities that allow people yet determined the future direction of their reminded that support measures should to gather in a collective setting, in businesses. In such situations, we seek to correspond to particular circumstances. addition to stores and medical discover “businesses that can play active In the future, it will be important for me to institutions. I’m feeling the importance of roles in the region” and to encourage their be the person whom business operators support that reflects real people’s voices growth. Moving forward with these continue to talk to. So I will keep working, while taking the whole region’s future into activities, I’d also like to contribute to the continuing the “If I were you…” approach. consideration while simultaneously development of the new town. Fureai Newsletter reflecting on individual businesses. The Fureai (closer, one-on-one communication) Newsletter is a monthly public relations magazine published by the Support Team for Residents Affected by Nuclear Incidents, under the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters. It has a lot of information about people who are struggling in Fukushima including evacuation areas. Feel free to peruse Iwaki base Koriyama base Fukushima base the archives of articles about companies classified by region as well as Mr. Koichi Miyashita Mr. Hiroaki Inoue Mr. Toshiaki Seto back issues of the Newsletter.

CLICK! ˜Fureai Newsletter Fureai Newsletter Fureai Newsletter (in Japanese) Archives (Articles of companies, etc.)

CLICK! ˜Public-private Fukushima Soso Reconstruction Joint Team (in Japanese) 12 METI Journal Fukushima Today and Tomorrow METI Journal 13