Attended JASID Spring Conference in 15 June 2019

I participated the 20th Spring Conference of the Japan Society for International Development (JASID) at Rikuzen-Takata city, Iwate Prefecture, in 15 June 2019.

Rikuzen-Takata is one of the biggest damaged cities of East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 11 March 2011. Almost all city center was totally disappeared by more than 15 meter-high tsunami only for a while. Now, Rikuzen-Takata has tried to build new city on the lost old city area with deep and long sadness with pray for many victim citizens.

What can we international development specialists do and learn from this disaster tragedy? We acknowledged that physical reconstruction is not enough. We need to remember the memory of the citizen life there and stay with them to support to create some hope to the future.

This is a very good moment for us to rethink about the meaning of development. We confirm the base is local and it is important for us to think local-to-local networking.