Remembering 3.11: A Voice from Iwaki
"After 3.11, Life Felt Brighter"
Embedded Files
Welcome
Welcome
The Tohoku region, located in the northeastern part of Japan's main island, is known for its rich nature, deep cultural traditions, and communities built on resilience. On March 11, 2011, this region underwent a huge disaster, the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the massive tsunami that followed. The disaster took people's lives, destroyed communities, and left long-lasting emotional and social scars.
This project aims to share those human experiences through first-person narratives. By introducing the life and memories of individuals who lived through 3.11, we hope to bring attention to the personal stories behind the newspaper headlines. Through this story about how the interviewee navigated fear and recovery, and how their life has continued to be shaped until now, we invite visitors to learn about the Tohoku disaster and reflect on empathy and the importance of remembering.
Image:
(1) Where is Tohoku? (Britanicca, n.d.)
(2) Discover Fukushima: How beautiful it is (Live Japan, 2022)
Background
Background
The Great East Japan Earthquake struck at 14:46 on March 11, 2011, with a magnitude of 9.0, which is the strongest ever recorded in Japan. The earthquake brought a devastating tsunami that hit the coasts within minutes, destroying the towns and homes of people. In Fukushima Prefecture, the impact was compounded by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident, which led to widespread evacuations afterward and left deep uncertainties about safety.
Iwaki City, located in southern Fukushima, faced severe challenges despite being outside the mandatory evacuation zone. The tsunami took many lives and communities, and the nuclear crisis brought fear, misinformation, and economic disruption of tourism, agriculture, and also local businesses. Many residents had to choose between staying in a place marked by stigma or moving away from their hometown. Still, Iwaki also became a key support hub for evacuees, volunteers, and recovery workers. The city embodies the complexity of 3.11: a combination of devastation, resilience, and ongoing reconstruction that shapes the local identity today.
Image:
(1) Map of the Tohoku, with the intensity of perceived shaking in colors (Britannica, n.d.)
(2) The picture of the hardest hit area after the 3.11: Hisanohama in Iwaki City (Iwaki City, n.d.)
Interviewee Kotaro Iwami
Interviewee Kotaro Iwami
The story in this project comes from Kotaro Iwami, who was living in Iwaki during the 3.11 disaster. As an elementary student at that time, he experienced a sudden change in his ordinary, peaceful daily life. His memory captures both the immediate shock of the earthquake and the long-term impact, including the tension surrounding the nuclear accident. In the interview, he reflects on how growing up in post-3.11 Fukushima influenced his outlook on safety and community. By sharing his voice, this project aims to convey a broader story of Fukushima, encouraging readers to remember and empathize.
Image: Provided by the interviewee
Interview with Kotaro Iwami
Interview with Kotaro Iwami
I was born and raised in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, and experienced the 3.11 disaster at 9 years old. When the earthquake and the tsunami happened, I stayed in elementary school as usual, right after the practice for the Graduation ceremony. It was right after the graduation ceremony practice for the 6th graders, and I was preparing to go home. The earthquake started. I went under the desk first, but it was long, so we evacuated outside. The teachers kept saying “yabai (bad, dangerous, terrible; a situation or a thing is at an extreme or intense level)” several times.
To be really honest, I did not know much about the nuclear plant explosions and radioactivity at all at that age, but my parents were very much worried. They actually persuaded me to stay at my grandparents’ place in Shizuoka for the rest of the school years, but I said “no.” I didn’t want to say bye to my friends!
I believe that the experience of the 3.11 disaster has affected me, for sure. But I am not thinking about it in a negative way. Maybe… positive? Because, I am now thinking that nothing worse than that could happen while I am alive (laughing). I became even more optimistic after this experience. Well, returning to the story, after the start of the summer vacation, people who were evacuating came back to Fukushima, and the atmosphere of the school suddenly changed to be super bright! These people who came back stayed in Fukushima until the end of high school years, and I could also get new friends as well. I think… Only one of my close friends didn’t return until the end. I really have been quite lucky all the time!”
“Growing up, radiation checks have been just a normal part of my life. Right after the accident, people even said the crops grew unusually well and tasted great, though that didn't last. The government kept sending messages about testing, and until high school, we had pretty serious screenings, walking through big X-ray-like machines. Now it's only a quick neck check every two years. I also used those beeping radiation detectors, which were actually kind of fun. We gargled with isojin and put strange "air-purifying" things on our necks, though they felt useless. Our school and even parks had huge monitoring posts that are probably still there. Yes, everything is there. And we are still here, alive, with the memories.” Interview continues...
Pictures
Pictures
Isojin for gargling
Huge monitoring post
Radiation detector Kotaro always carried
Image: A mouthwash rumored to reduce radiation (Amazon, n,d.)
Radiation monitoring post at school (Fuji Electric Company, n,d.)
Radiation detector: personal dosimatar (Iwaki no himitsukichi, 2011)
More information
More information
(In Japanese)
(In English)
Short Bios & Reflection
Short Bios & Reflection
I am Kahee, a 20th student from Akita International University. As a Korean who was living in Korea at the time of the disaster, my understanding of it had long been shaped only by media coverage of the aftermath and sufferings from people; It was not until taking this course and having the opportunity to speak with Kotaro, our interviewee, that I began to understand the depth of its impact. Now, after learning more, I have become one more person who remembers this disaster, hoping for a better future for all the survivors and the communities that were affected after the nuclear plant explosion. I would also like to express my gratitude to Kotaro, Professor Lee, and classmates from JAS300 for their support!
I am Chihiro, Kahee's project partner. I spent 6 months with Kotaro in Norway while studying abroad. It was the first time I asked him deeply questions about the earthquake and Tsunami, so I was glad to get to know a new side of him. I had assumed that the stories of people who experienced the disaster would be very cruel and sad, so we proceeded with the interview carefully, but I was very surprised when Kotaro smiled and told us happy stories, too, he had had after the disaster. I am glad I got to learn about the earthquake from various aspects.
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