“11 students from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology Overseas Expedition EAST Program visited Kesennuma”
December 2018, 11
On October 30th and 10th, 29, Professor Toshiaki Komatsu and 30 students from 4 universities in 5 countries visited Kesennuma.This was adopted in 11 by the Sakura Science Plan of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), a national research and development agency. This year marks the fourth year of the event, which aims to deepen exchanges among Japanese youth in the field of science and technology.In the past, we have visited disaster-stricken areas in Japan and have had the opportunity to learn about the recovery of the fisheries industry since then. We visited institutions related to disaster prevention and fisheries to deepen our understanding of how industries have recovered from the disaster.
On October 10th, I visited Kesennuma Fish Market, which was lively from the early morning.On this day, we listened to a staff member of the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative to explain about the facility, and saw seasonal seafood such as sharks, swordfish, pacific saury, conger eel, octopus, salmon, sunfish, and dolphinfish.At Kesennuma Fish Market, due to the large number of buyers and the large amount of fish landed, electronic bidding for tuna longline boats and large-eye driftnet boats has become possible. wasAlso, on the day of the event, I was able to hear various stories from a former deep-sea tuna fishing boat captain, such as how to keep fish fresh at sea and the charm of a seaman who works in the open sea.
Next, the students visited Miyakan Co., Ltd., a canned food manufacturing company.Miyakan suffered devastating damage in the Great East Japan Earthquake, but in the spring of 2015 the factory, which had been temporarily suspended, was completely restored and restarted.After taking a tour of the factory, Mr. Terada, the president of the company, told us about the strength of having factories in Sanriku and Kesennuma, and the fact that we develop and manufacture products that incorporate a wide variety of locally caught fish and local products.We also heard that you have acquired FSSCXNUMX (food safety standard) certification and are working to provide safe and secure products and services to consumers and business partners.
On the same day, in the afternoon, we participated in the “Storyteller Guided Tour,” in which we experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake and told stories about the damage caused by the disaster and the transitions of the city toward reconstruction.Mr. Ogata, the storyteller, gave a deep impression to me as a lesson for those who experienced the disaster, saying, "If a tsunami hits, please evacuate first. Please take care of your life."For the students who visited the disaster area for the first time, it was a unique opportunity to witness the memory of the earthquake and learn about disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as learn about disaster response and daily preparations.Thank you very much, Mr. Ogata.
At the Sanriku Satellite, teachers and students will continue to deepen exchanges with local governments through the promotion of community collaboration activities, while at the same time contributing to fieldwork base activities and the revitalization and development of the local community.
Students visiting the fish market
Students listening to the disaster situation
With Miyakan Co., Ltd.