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This coming March marks the 12th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. 

The “3.11 & Passing Down Memories” series will capture what is happening currently in the affected areas. The first report was delivered from a staff member in Fukushima. Local residents in the affected areas are preparing for the memorial in March. The years have passed and some are feeling that they are alone and the only ones still reflecting on the disaster.

Compared to the other areas, Fukushima is seeing slow progress in reconstruction efforts. A large store along the highway still has merchandise from 12 years ago. There are still houses with “no entry” tapes, ropes, and fences indicating more work needs to be done. Untended lawns, broken windows, and towels left hanging on a laundry bar - these are a glimpse of everyday lives that were suddenly disrupted. These are painful reminders that Fukushima is still recovering.

Civic Force’s partner organization, Tomioka 3/11 Discussion Group, is based in Tomioka Town, Fukushima, working on passing down the memories of the disaster through storytelling. The group began their activities by sharing stories with people around the world. They have since expanded their work to providing training for businesses and story-tellers and facilitating discussion groups.

The training of storytellers, especially young people, has been a challenge. To provide customized training, Tomioka 3/11 divided a session by age group and participants worked on their expressive language and storytelling skills. Participants had an opportunity to use their skills in practice and present their stories at an event last year. 

One storyteller remarked, “I believe each story can lead to saving lives and preventing the same tragedy from happening again. However, good stories may not move people’s hearts and change their behaviors. I believe it is important that storytellers can grasp people’s hearts.” Tomioka 3/11 continues to provide opportunities to share stories from Fukushima.

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Storytelling activities do not only benefit others but also help the storytellers themselves. By sharing stories with others in similar situations, the healing process for both the storytellers and audience can be strengthened. Most importantly, it is important that each storyteller recognizes his or her role in the healing process and maintaining hope. Storytelling serves as emotional care for the affected residents, however, the activity does not get funded easily. The pandemic also deterred visitors not only in Fukushima, but storytelling organizations across the country are at a crossroad. Civic Force continues to support Tomioka 3/11 and their storytelling activities.