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Yusuke Takei is passionate about the reconstruction of Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
Born and raised in Chofu, a suburb of Tokyo, Takei was heartbroken by the devastation and decided to move to Ishinomaki after graduating from high school.
rare experience
At the time of the earthquake, 10-year-old Takei was in the fourth grade at a local elementary school. He and his classmates were having a final assembly when the earthquake struck.
They took refuge under desks and then in the schoolyard, where they saw the pool rippling and overflowing.
At that moment, a magnitude of just under 5 was recorded in Tokyo.
After experiencing such a rare event, Takei decided to return to the classroom and write down his impressions. However, the tremors were so strong that the school was forced to close.
Both his parents worked, so he stayed with another family in the same apartment, waiting for his own family to return.
When I got home and turned on the TV, the first thing I saw was a video of the tsunami.
Takei said, “I can’t forget the moment when I hugged my mother and cried.
strong sense of connection
After the disaster, Takei felt a strong desire to help the victims.
When I was in the third year of junior high school, I participated in the reconstruction support activities of a local non-profit organization (NPO).
“When I was a freshman in high school, I started traveling to Ishinomaki by myself with the money I saved. I wanted to learn more about Ishinomaki and its people,” says Takei.
After graduating from high school, she originally planned to attend drama school because she loved acting.
However, when I visited the Ishinomaki River Opening Festival in the summer of my third year of high school, I felt a strong connection with the people I met and the atmosphere of the city.
Choose Ishinomaki over dreams
“When I was walking alone with my luggage, an old resident asked me, ‘Where are you from?’ ” said Mr. Takei.
He continued, “In Tokyo, it’s not common to be talked to on the street. When that woman talked to me, I was drawn to Ishinomaki because people were happy to talk to me, a stranger.” .”
“After that, I decided to give up my dream of becoming an actor, but chose to live and work in Ishinomaki,” added Takei.
Moving To Ishinomaki
Through the project “Ishinomaki Theater Festival” in which Takei participated, he learned about the “Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps,” which invites young working adults to work in areas where depopulation and aging are progressing.
Takei applied for the program. In 2019, she was recognized as a member of 3.11 Mirai Support (currently 3.11 Memorial Network). A public interest corporation in Ishinomaki City that promotes disaster recovery support and regional development.
Using art for healing and recovery
Takei played an important role in the operation of the Ishinomaki Theater Festival. This is a wonderful event aimed at promoting the local performing arts. In fact, he has been involved in all aspects of the organization, from programming to advertising.
Contributed to the construction of Theater Kinematica. This theater-style entertainment facility was created by renovating an empty house.
A public space with a cafe and beer stand, as well as movies and plays. Spaces can also be rented out for movies, plays, music and other events.
Takei believes art is a powerful tool for healing and recovery. I hope it will be useful for you.
find your role in the community
Takei’s contract with the 3/11 Memorial Network will end in March 2021, and he will become an employee of the Ishinomaki City Children’s Center.
In that role, he has interacted with children through various activities such as cooking, music and sports.
Impressed by the children’s resilience and positivity, Takei began thinking about becoming a teacher. In the meantime, he continues to work with children and helps the center develop new programs and partnerships with other organizations.
Overcoming challenges
Despite the hardships he faced living in the disaster area, Takei has devoted himself to the communities he has come to call home.
In recognition of our contribution to the region, we received a letter of appreciation from the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps.
Looking to the future, Takei is optimistic about the prospects for his community, but admits that there is still much work to be done.
“People often say ‘reconstruction.’ But there is no definitive end to the recovery process. Ishinomaki will never return to its pre-disaster state, but it can move forward,” he said. .
Nevertheless, Yusuke Takei has helped bring hope and inspiration to his compatriots. And with them, he has become a symbol of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. His commitment to his community serves as a reminder of the power of youth in times of crisis.
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Author: Sean Fernando
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