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Tsunami-hit towns at crossroads, despite clean-up

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Honshu is forever changed by March 11, rebuilding is not that answer relocating is the top priority and settling down. TOCHIGI IS THE BEST PLACE FOR JOBS.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

It is sad that the J-government would support so many meaningless things, but let a major job provider go bust. Of course it would be a long-term investment, but it is the only hope for many of these areas.

The words "Gabarro Nippon" fall shallow when there are only words of support and no action.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Without a major change in political thinking there is no hope for these areas, the Japanese are a populace that relies on it's leaders to tell them what to do and unfortunately the old ways no longer pass the test of changing times. Clear ares should be utilized t provide energy and food resources, thus creating employment. It all boils down to sustainable jobs, not publicly funded jobs which was the old model. "Gambare Tohoku" but you really are on your own, the rest of the country has it's own problems and your government is inept.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Great comments so far. Couldn't agree more. This is the ol' "Bridge to nowhere" mentality. Rebuilding these areas is truly a waste of spirit & money. "Gaman" and "Ganbaro" are both ill-equated expressions for a disaster of this magnitude. These people not only need to be supported in relocation, but also need a lot of emotional support for the changes ahead. This is a change that needs to evolve mentally, not only politically with the people. It's sad to see these people suffer, but if they can't grow up and see the obvious failures then it's time for Tohoku to handle this by themselves and let the rest of us get on with trying to survive ourselves.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Towns that have lost everything but their names, it's a much harder process. The young ones who don't see their future in the place ... the able-bodied leave for better pastures ... but the aged, along with some of the "loyal" townsfolk often remain to tend the place. It's a vicious truth.

The national government needs to provide not just the basic necessities, but also reasons for people to stay. Stay and help rebuild their homes, villages and towns.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What problems would a private sector company have if they located in one of these devastated towns?

They'd have to pay more to entice workers away from the big cities and because people will be worried about radiation (rightly or wrongly).

They couldn't - or shouldn't - build in town because of the possibility of another tsunami.

They'd need some infrastructure, like a train. Or an airport. They have ports and a highway, though.

And the yen is so strong now, would any private company risk the development?

If these towns can deal with these problems, maybe they should be rebuilt. If they can't... Maybe it's time to move on.

Maybe the Reconstruction Ministry and the government-led TEPCO can move their offices to Otsuchi. And, of course, all their employees whether they want to or not.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This may be training for the future. As climate changes we will see more weather disaster and probably more natural disasters.In the past entire civilizations have crumbled with just weather changes alone. Now we face our turn. It will be interesting to see if modern technological civilization is any better at adapting to change.Many of these areas will not rebuild, and never be what they were. Perhaps one could provide housing for those that stay and tear the rest down. When the old people die off then the land returns to the government to be sold off for other uses. But realize in the end most of these places are going to die off. Towns and cities have died off before and will do so again. Meanwhile new areas will proper and in time people will move to those areas as they have in the past. The only constant in history is change, and we have to adapt to the changes if we as a people are going to survive. That is true here in America or there in Japan. The United States is not doing that well in adapting either.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The names would not be lost if they would give up the "ganbare nippon" mentality. If a large group of them would move, they could form new communities somewhere else. A "new otsuchi", a "new ofunato" - a new hope in some way. These communities should be only rebuilt to the extent that those who cannot leave or will not leave still can persist there - the old spirit or soul of the towns will never come back.

Japan will change again in the future once the population thins out. They should maintain their old local customs in new communities. Maybe, in a few generations, their children will come back to rebuild their ancestral place (at a safer distance from the sea), sick of the life in the large and inhuman Japanese megacities. This is the best future that one can wish for these places.

The only alternative Japan has is to make these small villages immigration spots. Let people immigrate there to continue the farming and fishing (which the young generation doesn't want to do). These people will gradually become part of Japan, but with a different outlook than the foreigners around Tokyo and Osaka. But this is hopeless in the light of Japanese xenophobia.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I read these stories of the hardships and struggles that people in Tohoku face and how it seems the whole country perpetually dreams of a better future. Yet most, like the old woman in Otsuchi, are determined to bear with the hardships and submit to their unfortunate circumstances rather than fighting an immense uphill battle to try to change or improve their situations. Everyone dreams of a better life, but I think most are conditioned to accept their lot and feel their ambitions can not be achieved. To quote Will Ferguson, "Japan is a nation powered largely by sighs".

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Stubbornness will not bring your loved ones back. It is time to think of the people who will come after you. It's time to relocate.

0 ( +2 / -1 )

Unfortunately, stubborness is the way of the old generations in many many cultures and we cant do much until the younger generation and thinking take over. 15-20 years later me thinks but it might be too late for nippon

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I feel sorry for people like Yamazaki, not only of course because he lost family in the tragedy, but because he thinks places like these are salvageable. His heart's in the right place, and I think most people think fondly of the place they were born/grew up in, but it's just not realistic.

“We’ve got to stop this population outflow, no matter what."

No, we don't, and when 'no matter what' means spending heaps of money to delay the inevitable people need to take offense. Wishful thinking and sentiment should not trump wise decisions. You cannot force young people to stay or people to move to places that have been abandoned (be it suddenly or over time).

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Telegraph poles have been righted....

Might have well as just removed those; it is 'utility poles' that are all the rage these days.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Seems pointless to rebuild these towns when it's all retired grandpas and grandmas. Not to mention that these towns are in areas highly susceptible to Tsunamis.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Let the old stay if they wish. Time wise, they have little left to lose. I hope the younger generations are wise enough to follow through and cut their losses by moving to safer areas with better economic futures for them and their children. Again, best of luck to all of them.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I especially like what smithinjapan said. "Wishful thinking and sentiment should not trump wise decisions." Well said!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"pointless to rebuild", what drivel! You could say the same to people in Oklahoma or Missouri. There could be another Tornado in the future. The government needs to use the money sent to Europe, Iraq, Africa, etc to rebuild Japan. The new industry will be the very newest technology. Then there will be jobs nearby but it will take the help of the government.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Unfortunately unless the government does something proactive about the declining populations and lack of jobs in these small towns and villages they will quickly begin to decay away. Soon this won't just be a problem for the settlements located in Tokoku, it will affect all of Japan.

I agree with YuriOtani. Our government needs to use the money thats being sent to Europe, the middle east, africa etc on rebuilding our nation. Charity starts at home!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have a question to naysayers. Have newyorkers give up rebuilding their hometown?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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