I thank all the support and encouragement generously given to the Town of Otuschi from all over the world at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. It has been four years since the unprecedented disaster in which an unimaginably huge tsunami took away so many people’s lives, and destroyed our hometown in a blink of an eye.
We have continued to drive forward several projects as set out in our Master Plan for Reconstruction while we still embrace many challenges.
Nature’s gifts, climate, and tradition – were once what the town took pride in – these are gradually regaining their beauty. Known as one of the worlds three largest fishing grounds, the offshore of Sanriku is blessed with bountiful fruits of the sea. Traditional performing arts, which were passed down for generations, still move the minds of anybody who see them.
I hope that people from all over the world visit Otsuchi one day. I look forward to seeing you. I ask your continued support and cooperation so that our hometown Otsuchi may fully attain its rebirth as soon as possible to strive for a bright future.
Mayor of Otsuchi Kozo Hirano
Due to the tragic tsunami deluge of Otsuchi on March 11, 2011, 52% of the residential area (= 431ha) was submerged under water and 1,284 lives were lost. The death toll reduced the population by nearly 10%. About 4,000 people who lost their houses are still living in temporary housing scattered over 48 sites.
Population | 15,994 as of March 11, 2011 12,531 as of February, 2015 |
---|---|
Human Damage | Confirmed dead 808 Reported missing 426 Related deaths 50 Total 1,284 |
Property Damage | Houses completely destroyed 3,374 Houses partially destroyed 716 Submerged areas 431ha 52% of residential 98% of commercial |
The town of Otsuchi established a Master Plan for Reconstruction on December 26, 2011, which provides the hazard area maps based on the tsunami simulation, and highlights priority projects including town re-demarcation, collective relocation of residents, school relocation, public housing construction and other related projects.
However, the progress of these projects is continuing slowly because of difficulties in land acquisition, and other issues involved. The projects are scheduled to be completed by May 2017. Every effort is being made to complete these challenging reconstruction projects.
TEL:080-8209-2330
FAX:050-3145-2685
E-mail:mioinusa@gmail.com
Address:
9-29 Suehiro-cho,Otsuchi-cho,
kamiheigun,Iwate 028-1117,JAPAN
Contact:Oraga Otsuchi Dream Field (Ms.Kamitani)
Fee :1 person 1,000 yen(minimum of 3,000 yen)
Please contact for further information.