Disaster Area Recovery Support by Toyota Group

Daily items such as dishes were left abandoned as a trace of Tsunami and debris are still piled. I was encouraged by people who smile and work hard to restore their hometown even in such a condition.

I will convey the necessity of supporting the disaster-struck areas, and the importance of disaster prevention and mitigation in my own workplace as well!

I participated in for the first time, cutting the grass at shrines and plazas hit by the tsunami, as well as at sites near temporary housing. Although each and every one of us strove to pour our hearts into answering the hopes of local residents, it turned out that our activities led to our receiving more from than we gave. Go Tohoku! Go Toyota Group!

Just as I was thinking that I wanted to go to the disaster-struck area someday, I happened to hear that Toyota was carrying out volunteer activities and I immediately signed up. Rather than letting it end there, I want to make this the start of thinking about what I can do to help, and then take action on those ideas.

It had been a year and a half since the disaster, but the sight of buildings still in the wrecked caused by the tsunami, and of land that should have been a residential area empty of everything but grass, filled me with heartrending sorrow.

Most of the debris had been cleared from the center of Rikuzentakata, and only a few damaged buildings still stood here and there. It was the first time I joined volunteer activities, and listening to the actual experiences and thoughts of the local residents taught me things that neither television nor articles can convey.

Through exchange with local residents and other volunteers, I felt that kindness of people that arose from the disaster is strong, though losses incurred by the disaster were tremendous. I intend to convey my experiences to inspire that feeling in many people.