Rikkyo University

We had a field trip to Rikuzentakata City on August 7-9 to observe severe damages caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and learn how various local actors have worked on reconstruction. MSDA students also appreciated the opportunity to recognize how important disaster risk management is.

Here, you can see the tall white wall separating the whole city from the sea, isolating the original sea view but protecting the citizens. This is an incredibly beautiful while devastated city, Rikuzentakata.

Before the field trip, we already had a general idea of Rikuzentakata in the orientation, a typical coastal city destroyed by the massive tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. But these are all words. If you don't go to this city, you cannot understand the devastation that the tsunami caused to the city, to the people, and to the country. This trip gave us the opportunity to get out of school and out of Tokyo to go there and see for ourselves what natural disasters can do to us.

During this field trip, the school organized a visit to the museum built in memory of the people who lost their lives in the tsunami, met the miracle of a pine tree which is a symbol of hope and inspire after the tsunami, climbed to the top of the building to experience the highest height of the tsunami, studied how to better protect ourselves in the crisis comes, and also met after the citizens which still revive hopes to their life.

I am glad I participated in this event, it made me realize how small we humans are in front of the nature, the only thing we can do is to arm ourselves before the danger comes, whether it is knowledge or equipment. If you are interested in the post-disaster reconstruction or not familiar with the tsunami, I am strongly recommended you to visit this city, I am sure you will gain a lot. In addition to that, there are also very friendly minpaku here, where you can feel at home and make a good memory here.

The trip to Iwate was super impressive for me. I had various delicious food, saw a lot of gorgeous scenery, and, most significantly, learned an essential life lesson—Nature nurtures us, but it's cruel at the same time. Humans should be in awe of nature and always be prepared to fight against it.

Rikuzentakata was once a peaceful seaside city but was destroyed in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. At a beach there called Takata-Matsubara, the pine grove the local people were proud of was ruined by the tsunami in one piece, leaving only one pine tree towering, known as the miracle pine tree today. The miracle pine tree indicates the tenacity and perseverance of life.

The good news is that the Takata-Matsubara is being replanted and will be lush again soon. What's more, those who lost their families, friends, and houses in 2011 gradually get through the grief. It could be said that, in Rikuzentakata, I witnessed the local people's courage and determination to rebuild their life.

It's hard to forget the Kamimura family, who hosted us. They were very hostile and prepared a wonderful dinner for our arrival. What's funny is that as a newbie in Japanese, I was the interpreter between the host family and three other friends; challenging but exciting. Besides, I will never forget the night I spent in a Japanese-style tatami room, especially with the "snore brothers.

It's hard to forget the Nagahora AKB who spent the whole morning preparing lunch for us, the warm-hearted entrepreneur who interpreted Japanese to English for us for two days, and the volunteer presenter who unfortunately lost his beloved ones in the tsunami. The shocking figures displayed in the museum keep echoing in my mind.

It's hard to forget the efforts of Prof. Kuramoto, Prof. Nakano, and Mr. Otake, who worked hard to bring us a fantastic learning journey. I want to thank them for taking care of us and explaining to us in detail during the three days. Furthermore, I want to thank MSDA and Rikkyo University for providing us with this precious opportunity, which I benefited greatly from and will remember in my heart forever!

First of all, I would like to thank God for his protection and my parents for the life they gave me. Secondly, I would also like to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to Rikkyo University, particularly, the MSDA office for organizing a three-day field trip to Rikuzentakata city. Indeed, I can confess that it was a remarkable experience which made an ineffaceable impression on my mind. Therefore, this impression can be described in two axes. That is to say, if on the one hand the trip was marked by joyfulness and unforgettable moments, on the other hand, was characterized by anguish.

Among others, one of the unforgettable and remarkable moments was the "Minpaku" time, when after visiting Tsunami Memorial Museum and Kasen Junior High School, which was completely destroyed by tsunami we were hosted by a very wonderful family, where we spent our first night and we had a delicious food and excited conversation with the hosts. Furthermore, I cannot forget the wise advice given by the hosts. Indeed, the most striking and remarkable advice was that we should take advantage of the opportunity and when we go back home, we have to think collectively, not individually, so that we can develop our countries.

However, as I mentioned before, throughout our trip we visited Tsunami Memorial Museum that was built in honor of the victims of tsunami occurred in 2011, which killed thousands of people. So, despite of unforgettable moments we experienced, it was also so shocked experience, hearing people who lost everything including their loved families recounting the sad moments.

In short, I can say that despite of joyfulness and anguish I have learned two lessons from the trip. The first lesson was the determination of Rikuzentakata people, particularly Kasen Junior High School students, who 80 percent of them lost their homes, parents and even their school. However, they were able to move forward.

The second lesson I have learned is that, whenever disaster occurs try to do your best, do not make assumptions and lead others in evacuation.
Well there are the people of Rikuzentakata!

The study trip in Tohoku region especially in Rikuzentakata village locate in Iwate prefecture has been a great opportunity to learn and understand more about the impact of Great East Japan Earthquake. We know already that different natural disasters are the main cause that forces many people to leave their homes all around the world. In 2011, a great earthquake has hit Eastern part of Japan and instigated Tsunami that has destroyed different infrastructures and caused many deaths. Iwate prefecture has suffered enormous destruction when Tsunami hit this area in 2011. It was terrible to hear the unheard testimonies of Tsunami survivors and how they have been in painful situation during the Tsunami period. I have observed how the dwellers of this place passed on the despondency caused by Tsunami and they are now thinking about the reconstruction of their place. Although the challenges that humanity is facing day by day, the resilience stays milestone of the hope in this world. Before, I used to hear about Tsunami but during the field trip I have witnessed how the region has been destroyed. We also got the chance to hear the storytelling of the Tsunami survivors which was touched me. Aftermath of dark period was characterized by the reconstruction of the buildings that have been destroyed. During the trip, we have been hosted by a Japanese family and we have

All in all, I was profoundly moved by Tsunami memorial and also inspired by the resilience of the survivors and remarkable progress of Rikuzentakata village. People are believing in reconstruction of their village by respecting the evacuation norms. Community Service and solidarity can also be another solution to people who have faced different problems. I have learnt that the human solidarity is paramount motivation to sustain people who are in cumbersome situations. It strengthens them and it also helps them to feel that they are not alone.

Introduction
On 7th of August 2022, 7 students with 2 lecturers and one staff member from the MSDA department of Rikkyo University, Ikebukuro campus undertook a field trip to the city of Rikuzentakata which is located in Iwate Prefecture. The aim was to learn and experience the disaster risk management system in place and the countryside living of Japan.

Field Observation
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami also known as the “Great East Japan Earthquake” caused extensive damage to the city of Rikuzentakata. The first stop of the field visit was at the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum which is dedicated to preserving the devastating events of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami and communicating the importance of disaster mitigation in building a resilient society, we were taken on a guided tour to some of the disaster remains such as the miracle pine tree, the former Rikuzen-takata Youth hostel and the Rikuzentakata City Kesen Junior High school buildings. After the guided tour of the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum, we got to experience Minpaku, an overnight homestay at a private home, a true Japanese home experience it was. On the second day of the field trip, we met at the Rikuzentakata Global campus and were taken through the temporary housing used as shelter for disaster affected community. We than got to experience a lecture by a representative from the local electricity supply company. We visited historical buildings and were taken through the events that unfolded on the 11 March 2011 by the survivor who lost his family on that tragic day plus the Yoshida-ke Residence Disaster Recovery Project. The last day of the field trip included site seeing, Disaster response and preparedness lesson by the Director General of Nagahora-genkimura and a disaster prevention experience game and lastly a delicious lunch with local fresh products by the local woman.

Conclusion
The efforts by the local government of Rikuzentakata, various stakeholders and the community post the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in terms of mitigation, reconstruction and resilience building are highly applaudable and serves as lessons to not only other parts of Japan but the entire world. The highlights of the trip for me was the Shinkansen ride, seeing beautiful landscapes along the way, experiencing the countryside environment, scenery and locally produced food, plus the DRM lecture and the disaster prevention experience game by Mr. Seiji Murakami and the temporary housing facilities. I have learned so much during the field trips, thank you MSDA for the priceless experience and exposure.

The Rikuzentakata Field Trip organized by the MSDA program was a very impactful experience. The on-site exposure and lessons learned have been very beneficial, not only with the rich cultural heritage experience, but it also speaks volumes about the preparedness and resilience of the Rikuzentakata community whilst facing adversity. Howbeit the field trip was only for a few days, the lessons, wisdom, and knowledge imparted by the residents have not only been inspiring but also life-long lessons which I hope to not only utilize but also impart to others. The different sites visited presented a very hands-on view and experience as per the noted 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami, and how Rikuzentakata has not only learned from the noted experience but also preserved monumental historical sites not only dedicated to the memory of the victims but also serving as a reminder and lesson for future generations. The visitation also signified the dedication of the community to not only preserve its rich cultural heritage but also to rise and persevere in building back better together as a community. The major factor that was identified during this visitation was the reallocation of citizens mainly from the coastal area towards inland, but also the declining numbers of residents since the tsunami, not only given the death toll, but also the younger generation opting to move to other cities for better opportunities and given Rikuzentakata does not have a University of its own. Nonetheless, given the immense effect of the earthquake and tsunami in Rikuzentakata, not only impacting its land, its capital stock, industries, and public works facilities to name a few, it has progressively built back better in terms of ensuring safety in restoring and developing coastal protection facilities, processing disaster waste, land sites being prepared for usage and also lots allocated for housing. In sequence, with rebuilding lives, it has completed construction of its new medical facilities, also restoring all public school facilities, provided public housing for disaster survivors, and additionally assisted people living in temporary housing. The immense progress is a testimony to Iwate Prefectures' goal “‘to protect lives while living in harmony with the seas and land, to create a homeland Iwate and Sanriku’. Under the philosophy of ‘no one left behind.” The Organizers and Community are highly credited for the success of the noted field trip, especially the MSDA staff. Everything would not have been possible without their guidance and support. The field was well organized and we (students) were well prepared and updated on its progress beforehand, hence the smooth running of the program. I take this opportunity to thank not only the Organizers and Rikuzentakata Community for this wonderful opportunity and experience but also Sensei Nakano, Sensei Kuramoto, and Otake-san for making this field trip a wonderful experience.