Because of the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011, a wide area of 500 km along North East Japan's Pacific coast suffered enormous damage. Although many precious lives and valuable properties were tragically lost, many lives were also saved. In the areas affected by the disaster, many facilities have been set up to communicate the realities of the disaster and the lessons learned from it.
In recent years, large-scale natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods have occurred frequently, but there also have been many cases where people would not have lost their lives if knowledge of past disasters had been utilized. Along with maintaining infrastructure, such as levees, a society must be aware of disaster prevention. Each individual should possess awareness and take appropriate action, such as evacuating. Thus, there is a deep significance to learning at disaster memorial facilities located in areas hit by disasters.
Meanwhile, disaster memorial facilities are spread over wide areas and multiple prefectures, and it is difficult to gather this information and visit them in a limited amount of time. As such, we categorize and offer information on awareness communication facilities, and we ins tall guide maps and signs and build a network, allowing people to visit the facilities efficiently and meet their objectives within the time available. As a result, a system will be built that allows visitors to effectively learn the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and it will be possible to increase local exchange because many people from Japan and from overseas will visit the disaster-hit areas.
In this way, 3.11 Densho Road, which links these disaster memorial facilities, serves as a platform for disaster awareness communication, aiming to improve the region's disaster-prevention capabilities and to promote the areas affected by the disaster.
We believe we can overcome natural disasters and protect lives by learning from history and experience, developing disaster prevention facilities, and preparing hearts and minds.
By connecting the ruins and facilities throughout the Tohoku region that communicate the lessons of the disaster, expanding from points to lines and then to planes, we will build 3.11 Densho Road as an awareness communication plat form, making a disaster-resilient society in Japan and building attractive communities.
To strengthen regional disaster prevention capabilities for standing up even to large-scale disasters, we will link disaster memorial facilities throughout Tohoku and disseminate information widely. We will cooperate with related organizations in Japan and overseas, promote cross-regional exchanges, and spread knowledge about preparing for disasters.
It is extremely important to pass on to future generations, both in Japan and overseas, the facts and experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which represented a complex disaster over a wide area. This includes learning about the emergency response at the time and the ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts. To respond to the increasing number of disasters, we must pass on the lessons learn ed from the Great East Japan Earthquake, and we believe that the role of disaster ruins and awareness communication facilities' activities on the ground in each disaster-hit area is very significant.
The Great East Japan Earthquake covered a large area, so its disaster memorial facilities are widely scattered. As such, we want to connect them organically as 3.11 Densho Road, conducting education and communication activities in each area while also contributing to new regional revitalization. To continuously run communication activities and facilities for teaching lessons in preparation for the next large disaster, an organization (system) is required, in which industry, academia, government, private sectors, and the affected areas cooperate.
General Incorporated Foundation 3.11 Densho Road has just launched, so it remains small presently. However, we hope to create a space beloved by the disaster-hit areas, where they can learn alongside visitors. We would like to ask you all for your support and cooperation.
Representative DirectorFumihiko Imamura