No.41 Disaster Area Support Tour

(Inagi Newsletter March 15, 2015 issue)

The city has been providing support for the recovery and reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas from the Great East Japan Earthquake through the dispatch of staff and other means since shortly after the disaster occurred, and we intend to continue this support in the future.
That said, while such support is important, I feel that if we become too formal about it, it may become a burden for both sides and may not last long. In order to continue long-term support, it may be necessary to include elements that make the support itself enjoyable, as well as indirect support, rather than just direct assistance.
City Hall is implementing various mutual aid projects for its employees. Among these initiatives, a support tour for the disaster-stricken areas has been proposed, and this is the third year for it. The idea is to visit the disaster-affected prefectures and help increase consumption, even if just a little.

The destination for this visit was Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, and it was a weekend overnight tour. Before the disaster, there were tourist inns along the coastal area surrounded by scenic pine forests, but many of them suffered damage from the tsunami. Our accommodation was in the city center, but we checked in at several business hotels. I heard that many construction workers were staying there, and there were few vacancies. From this situation, I felt that the area is still in the process of recovery.
On the first day, we were guided by volunteers from the Soma City staff to various disaster-related facilities in the city, and I offered flowers at a memorial. At the disaster prevention storage warehouse, "Soma Hyōrōgura," Mayor Tachiya himself kindly explained things to us despite his busy schedule. Being able to hear directly from the mayor, who took command at the forefront of the great earthquake, was a valuable experience for the Inagi City staff as well.
The next day, I competed in park golf with volunteers from the Soma City staff. Soma City has a thermal power plant, and there is a site nearby that was used as a final disposal site for coal ash. Sports facilities have been developed that effectively utilize the surface of that land, including six soccer fields and four softball fields, with a vast area featuring nine holes and nine courses.
On that day, a tournament targeting the entire Tohoku region was held, and it was bustling with gathered players. This sport is said to have originated in Hokkaido. It is similar to ground golf, but requires a dedicated layout like a mini course of a golf course, so it is still not well-known in the metropolitan area. However, it has rapidly spread in recent years as a light sport that even beginners can easily engage in.
As part of the ongoing support, I believe this sport can be utilized to promote citizen exchanges between the two cities.