The area research team organized an onsite observation tour from August 21st through 23rd, during which they inspected the damages and assessed the progress of the recovery in Iwaki. We heard accounts of disaster experiences and got a first-hand look at the current condition of the city. We met with local artists and other creative minds to hear to their post-earthquake activities.
On the last day, each member chose a theme, formulated plans of coverage and spread out in the city. Following our investigations, members reported back to the group to share the information retrieved. We were all able to interact and empathize with residents on an intimate level. Previously our only source was the media, but this tour allowed us to fully realize the situation in Iwaki through hands-on fieldwork.
Continue reading
Announcement of the date for the 2nd public viewing of Kazunari Watanabe’s cycle race.
Since the timing of the race in which Kazunari Watanabe would participate was not determined, we were awaiting confirmation before scheduling a date for the public screening. It has now been decided that the 2nd public viewing would be held on August 8th.
Today was the first viewing. The people from Futaba as well as school children from the children’s house were present for this lively gathering. Also, the “Power generation! Miniature cycle race” that was held at the same time proved to be very popular.
We look forward to active participation at the 2nd viewing for those who were here today as well as those who could not attend.
Public viewing to cheer for Kazunari Watanabe!
There are presently about 50 households (mainly from Futaba in the Fukushima prefecture) that have been evacuated to Namiki, Tsukuba city. In this context, we are delighted to hear that Kazunari Watanabe, native of Futaba, will attend the London Olympics to compete in the cycle race. Since the people of Futuba have been domestically displaced, we would like to encourage the whole city of Tsukuba to cheer for Kazunari Watanabe! A public screening of the taped broadcast of Kazunari Watanabe’s Olympic cycling event will be shown. The viewing will also be an occasion for a workshop called “Power generation! Miniature cycle race”, so let’s cheer for Kazunari Watanabe while having fun! (Kataoka)
Scientific Visualization: Website Launch !
In preparation for the lecture series that will commence at the start of the second semester, we are proud to launch a special website dedicated to the Scientific Visualization forum. Professors from a variety of fields will direct these upcoming workshops.
We encourage all participants of the class to explore the website. Here you can find links to each professors’ homepage as well as important course information (schedule changes, etc).
http://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/~satanaka/sv/
The Namiki project
There are presently about 50 households (mainly from Futaba in the Fukushima prefecture) that have been evacuated to Namiki, Tsukuba city. In this context, we are delighted to hear that Kazunari Watanabe, native of Futaba, will attend the London Olympics to compete in the cycle race. We have initiated the “Kazunari Watanabe Cheering Program” for Futaba evacuees and the citizens of Namiki, Tsukuba — it is our hope that this program will foster communication and understanding between the two communities.
A cheering flag was created at the Summer Festival of Namiki held on the 15th (Sunday). The central image was designed by the artist Kensuke Miyazaki; the people of Tsukuba adorned the banner with messages of support directed at citizens of Futaba and other districts around Fukushima. Since the disaster, Kensuke Miyazaki has been diligently working on various projects promoting recovery. For more details about his activities, please visit his website:
>>http://www.miyazakingdom.com/
Continue reading
Group #2: Visit to Sanriku, 1st day
Today the second group arrived in Sanriku. The structure of their visit was very similar the first group’s.
Continue reading
Visit to Sanriku, 2nd day
During the hour-long drive from Ofunato to our lodgings in Rikuzentakada, we spoke with Ruriko Mori, a survivor of the tsunami. She told us about the extent of the damages at the time.
Continue reading
Group #1: Visit to Sanriku, 1st day
As an intensive course for the CR project, we organized a visit to Sanriku for 2 days and one night. Due to the large number of participants (60 people), we have divided into 2 groups. Today we are taking the first group to carry out an inspection — along with the teachers there is a total of 40 people. We traveled to Sanriku aboard a large charter bus.
Continue reading
Psychological Care & Support in the Aftermath of Disaster
Pr. Takahashi and Pr. Kashimura from the medical department gave a lecture that tackled the topic of “The supporting activities of the stricken areas and how they should involve preserving healthy psychological conditions”.
By discussing concrete cases of symptoms, Pr. Kashimura offered very useful and easy-to-understand examples.
Many students participated in the presentation meeting. We hope that this will lead us to the implementation of meaningful project. (Kataoka)
Holding of a presentation meeting.
Many students participated to the presentation meeting.We hope that this will lead us to the implementation of meaningful project. (Kataoka)
