Meiji University’s Current Efforts to Support Reconstruction after the Great East Japan Earthquake -Ensuring That Memories of the Disaster Do Not Fade –

— Almost 4 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. Please tell us about Meiji University’s initiatives to support post-disaster reconstruction.

In May 2011, immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Meiji University established the Meiji University Earthquake Reconstruction Support Center as an organization reporting directly to the President. One of the key features of the post-disaster reconstruction support provided by Meiji University is the fact that it established this organization to operate completely separately from the Volunteer Center that already existed before the disaster. Post-disaster reconstruction support is primarily undertaken by student volunteers, and so the university subsidizes a part of costs of the transport and accommodation costs arising from their volunteer activities. In addition, we have established a university-wide general course called the Volunteer Work Practicum for the Great East Japan Earthquake, which enables students to gain credits by taking this course. Furthermore, we support research activities focused on the disaster undertaken by faculty members and volunteer activities by staff members. Rather than simply supplying a workforce, we have to date adopted three approaches to the provision of support for post-disaster reconstruction: students, courses, and research and community collaboration. The reason for placing the Center under the direct supervision of the President was to build a university-wide support system and we pride ourselves that the support that we provide is so outstanding as to virtually constitute a work of art in itself. Incidentally, the student volunteers are expected to take the initiative and make all of the arrangements themselves; it is not the kind of situation where the university arranges buses and escorts students to the disaster-afflicted areas.

— If you don’t mind me asking you a frank question, does assisting with the preparation and running of festivals really help to support reconstruction?

I myself had doubts on that point. I did ask whether that would ultimately help to support reconstruction in the aftermath of the disaster. However, those doubts were dispelled the moment I went to one of the communities concerned. The participation of young student volunteers from outside the region in local festivals helps to energize local people. The festivals instantly become livelier. The very presence of the students became a source of cheer. At a temporary housing facility for villagers from Iitate-mura in Fukushima Prefecture, student volunteers were taught to sew by elderly local ladies. There were those who questioned whether being taught something could really constitute volunteer work, but teaching these youngsters gave the local women a new lease of life. Some disaster victims have even said that just seeing the students walking down the road in their communities brightens up their day. It gave me an opportunity to reconsider what volunteer work really is. I feel that what are needed are initiatives – however small – that will give those affected by the disaster the chance to find new purpose in life. The heroes of reconstruction are the local people who have been affected by the disaster. I believe that one could say that our current volunteer activities focused on spending quality time with people from these communities help to motivate and inspire those affected by the disaster to carry on with their reconstruction efforts.

— What is your view of the outcomes of post-disaster reconstruction support after four years of these activities?

The outcomes of our support for reconstruction cannot be quantified; all we can do is to rely on the feedback we receive from disaster victims in each area. However, looking at it from another angle, I feel that these volunteer activities have had a major impact on the students who have participated in them. Visiting these disaster-stricken areas and seeing the reality of the situation there makes students – who do not have much contact with their local communities on a day-to-day basis – realize and think about what society really needs and what society requires of them. Volunteer activities are an opportunity to change students’ awareness, ideas, and feelings. These days, universities are increasingly focused on education within the university, but the university is not the only place where you can learn. I have become keenly aware of this fact by looking at the students who steadily grow through their involvement in post-disaster reconstruction support. Our students spend quality time with those affected by the disaster and participate in activities that help to cheer them up, but the students themselves return home feeling more cheerful as well. I believe that our students are gaining valuable experience in these disaster-stricken areas.

— How should the people of Japan face up to post-disaster reconstruction? What recommendations do you have for society?

With four years having passed since the disaster, I feel that memories are already beginning to fade. We believe that people must not be allowed to forget this disaster, so we have organized forums and photography exhibitions in Tokyo, and we plan to continue with these in the future. First and foremost, I think that each and every citizen must hold on to the memory of this major disaster, understanding and thinking about the current situation in the disaster-stricken areas even if it’s a small matter. That is what is needed to prevent memories from fading. Furthermore, participating in post-disaster reconstruction support was the catalyst for me to take another look at my own way of life, and this is probably the same for most of the students and teachers who have taken part. Progress with the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas varies from one area to another, and while the prospect of returning to normal life is in sight for some disaster victims, others remain uncertain about their futures. Consequently, it will be necessary for us to go on providing reconstruction support in a variety of forms in the future. I want as many people as possible to go to the disaster-afflicted areas and understand for themselves the current situation there. That is my recommendation for society.

— Thank you very much for talking to us today.

* The information contained herein is current as of February 2015.
* The contents of articles on M’s Opinion are based on the personal ideas and opinions of the author and do not indicate the official opinion of Meiji University.