Japan earthquake: Volunteering in Rikuzentakata  2 years ago by
in Japan Archives, Japan Earthquake, National  Despite rumors
that Tohoku, as a whole, is in a state of emergency, Yamagata
Prefecture remains largely unaffected, supplies are plentiful
and there are few reminders of the devastation that swept the
coastline three weeks ago. Under these conditions, it should
come as no surprise that residents would want to help their
neighbors over the mountains, in the tsunami affected areas.
Yasuhiko Shibuya, a restauranteur from Higashine, explains how a
volunteer project, which Tokyo Times was allowed to join, came
about. “Our branch of the young business association asked if we
could help. Iwate needed food and supplies, so we headed up
there.” Shibuya, and around 20 other volunteers from the city
have been providing support in the city of Rikuzentakata.
Yamashige Watanabe, a volunteer from Oguni City, Yamagata
Prefecture, with experience in the Kobe and Niigata earthquakes
says: “I almost lost friends volu