Great East Japan Earthquake

Project Overview

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake struck the eastern part of Japan. That day, Civic Force transported relief items stored in Fukuroi, Shizuoka to Tokyo and began reaching out to corporate partners for assistance. On March 12, Civic Force’s team reached the affected areas by helicopter. Through the past ten years, Civic Force has taken part in recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Tohoku region. Starting in 2019, Civic Force has been implementing New - Support Dreams x NPO Partner Projects focused on community revitalization, retreats in Fukushima, and passing down memories of the disaster.

Activities

New - Support Dreams x NPO Partner Projects

This is a Great East Japan Earthquake support program in collaboration with organizations with regional expertise to support the reconstruction of the affected areas and the younger generation that will be responsible for the future of the local community.

Past Projects

Mid to Long Term Reconstruction Assistance

In the summer of 2012, Civic Force began a mid to long term reconstruction assistance project. The project focused on tourism revitalization, patient transfers, community development, and scholarships.
NPO Partner Projects

NPO Partner Projects respond to the needs of the disaster areas through partnerships with local organizations that demonstrate their expertise in emergencies. Civic Force worked with 36 organizations through this collaboration project from April 2011 to September 2015.
Industrial Reconstruction Fund Project

Civic Force held a series of consultations with financial experts and explored how to achieve economic recovery. In November 2011, the Tohoku Common Benefit Investment Fund (currently Common Benefit Investment Fund) was founded. With common benefit investments as an operating principle, Civic Force is supporting the local industry and its reconstruction efforts.
Ground Transportation Projects

Starting March 23, 2011 when road access became available, Civic Force and a moving company launched a transportation service. Free or discounted goods were procured from over 140 companies and 380 tons of relief items were delivered to five municipalities affected by the disaster.
DIY Hot Bath Installations

Civic Force joined hands with local carpenters and local residents and installed hot baths at six locations in Minami-Sanriku, Miyagi Prefecture. The bath facilities were used by families, elderly, and students.
Multi-purpose Trailers

Trailers and shipping containers with kitchen appliances and beds were leased out to be used as rest spaces, temporary offices, community centers, and changing rooms.
Ferry Service

Ferries are a lifeline for Tohoku’s largest inhabited island, Oshima, in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture. Civic Force procured and leased a ferry after local ferries were washed up on shore. 20,000 vehicles (100,000 people) used the ferry.
Employee Volunteer Project

Civic Force worked with UN Global Compact Network Japan and other partners to deploy employee volunteers to affected areas. 284 employees from nine companies participated in removing debris, restoring photos, and making aquaculture rafts.
Others

For over 10 years in Tohoku, Civic Force has provided assistance and continues to address the situations around the affected communities.

Updates

2023/03/22 Great East Japan Earthquake

High School Students Promote Disaster Preparedness

ActivityReport NPOPartnerProjects
2023/02/28 Great East Japan Earthquake

【Press Release】 Crowdfunding Project Launched to Support Storytelling Activities

PressRelease NPOPartnerProjects
2023/02/07 Great East Japan Earthquake

【3.11 & Passing Down Memories】 Power of Narration to Save Lives - Interview Vol. 1

ActivityReport NPOPartnerProjects

Community Assistance
Retreats in Fukushima
Passing Down Memories

Community Assistance

- Name
  
  Ishinomaki Reconstruction Support Network
- Project
  
  Disaster reconstruction and community revitalization by mothers
- Overview
  
  The group hosts soup kitchens for children, support groups for parents, and events at public housing for disaster-affected households.
- Location
  
  Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  August 2019 - July 2020
- Updates
  
  2020/09/02：【東日本大震災】「やっぺす！」ママたちが挑む復興まちづくり
  2021/03/02：【10 Year Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake】 Looking into the Past, Present, and Future: Vol 2. Message from Ms. Yoshie Kaneko, Ishinomaki Revival Support Network
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Bridge for Fukushima
- Project
  
  Fostering entrepreneurs for reconstruction in Fukushima
- Overview
  
  Provides solution-focused learning opportunities for high school and university students in Fukushima
- Location
  
  Fukushima Prefecture
- Duration
  
  September 2019 - August 2020 (extended until December 2020)
- Updates
  
  2020/03/11：【東日本大震災】「危機をチャンスに」
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Minami-Sohma & Suginami Tomodachi Project
- Project
  
  Children’s musical to bring hope
- Overview
  
  Hosts a musical “Minna no Uta (everyone’s song)” and strengthens the capacity of the management team
- Location
  
  Minami Sohma, Fukushima Prefecture; Suginami, Tokyo
- Duration
  
  December 2019 - April 2020
- Updates
  
  2020/03/30：Children’s Musical Brings Hope
- Links
  
  Activity Plan Final Report
- Name
  
  Full House
- Project
  
  Creating youth-friendly spaces and a hub for arts
- Overview
  
  Maintains and manages a book cafe, Full House
- Location
  
  Sohma, Fukushima Prefecture
- Duration
  
  March 2020 - August 2020 (extended until December 2020)
- Updates
  
  2020/09/01：Book Cafe Opens in Fukushima
  2021/03/07：【10 Year Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake】 Looking into the Past, Present, and Future: Vol 3. Message from Ms. Miri Yu, Owner of Book Cafe "Full House"
- Links
  
  Youtube Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Sanriku Hitotsunagi Nature School
- Project
  
  Participatory disaster preparedness education and training of the next generation
- Overview
  
  Supports youth-led community revitalization focused on community participation and disaster preparedness education
- Location
  
  Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture
- Duration
  
  October 2020 - March 2021
- Updates
  
  2021/03/08：Nurturing Next Generation
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Sohma Aid and Rescue Team
- Project
  
  Nurturing the next generation and community building through horse riding
- Overview
  
  Hosts education programs for local elementary and middle school students
- Location
  
  Fukushima Prefecture
- Duration
  
  October 2020 - September 2021
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Kosodate-ship (Parenting-ship)
- Project
  
  Parenting support starting from pregnancy and disaster preparedness activities for small children
- Overview
  
  The group provides comprehensive support consisting of pre and postnatal care, maternity school, baby classes, and disaster preparedness classes to protect infants and toddlers.
- Location
  
  Iwate Prefecture
- Duration
  
  April 2021 - March 2022
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Kokoro Smile Project
- Project
  
  Mental health support for children
- Overview
  
  Supports children and families who lost their loved ones to the disaster and provides a tutoring service, among others
- Location
  
  Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  April 2021 - March 2022
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Ohanashi Kororin
- Project
  
  Mobile library and community gathering space
- Overview
  
  Loans books to elementary schools and local groups and hosts book reading events
- Location
  
  Iwate Prefecture
- Duration
  
  April 2021 - March 2022
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Ishinomaki Reconstruction Support Network (Second term)
- Project
  
  Provides safe spaces for families and supports community building at public housing for disaster-affected households
- Overview
  
  Provides shelters for disadvantaged households and victims of domestic violence. Hosts events to promote physical well-being.
- Location
  
  Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  April 2021 - March 2022
- Links
  
  Activity Plan

Retreats in Fukushima

- Name
  
  3/11 Japan Nuclear Disaster Aid Association
- Project
  
  Everyone’s Hope Project
- Overview
  
  Supports continuing and expanding retreat programs
- Location
  
  Multiple locations
- Duration
  
  January 2020 - October 2020 (extended until May 2022)
- Updates
  
  2020/09/17：【Great East Japan Earthquake】 Summer Retreats Gave Us Hope
  2020/09/13：【Great East Japan Earthquake】 Retreats for COVID-19 Prevention
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Shinsei
- Project
  
  Supporting Persons with Disabilities to Achieve Dreams
- Overview
  
  Shinsei assists persons with disabilities affected by disasters to enrich their lives
- Location
  
  Fukushima Prefecture
- Duration
  
  2021/04～2022/03
- Links
  
  Activity Plan

Passing Down Memories

- Name
  
  Stage on Earth
- Project
  
  Manages a memorial museum, Memoire de Yuriage, to assist processing painful memories
- Overview
  
  Continues to host an annual memorial service every March 11.
- Location
  
  Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  March 2020 - April 2020, March 2021 - April 2021
- Updates
  
  2020/03/14：【Great East Japan Earthquake】9th Anniversary Event at Memorial Museum
- Links
  
  Activity Plan Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Ishinomaki Jichiren
- Project
  
  Community verification project for temporary housing
- Overview
  
  Collects and analyzes challenges faced in temporary housing and produces lessons learned for future disasters
- Location
  
  Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  April 2020 - March 2021
- Updates
  
  2020/10/28：Study the living conditions of temporary housing and capture lessons learned for future disasters
- Links
  
  Activity Plan
- Name
  
  Ganmbarou-Ishinomak
- Project
  
  Supports an annual memorial service
- Overview
  
  Supports hosting an annual memorial service to pass down the lessons learned from the disaster to future generations.
- Location
  
  Miyagi Prefecture
- Duration
  
  March 2021
- Links
  
  Activity Plan