Tohoku University
Reconstruction Action
Seeking to play a leading role in“the reconstruction of Tohoku and the revitalization of Japan”

Message from the President
The Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March
11, 2011, caused high‐intensity ground shaking, a massive
tsunami and a serious nuclear power plant accident,
resulting in a disaster of a scale unprecedented in thehistory of Japan.
Tohoku University is well aware that its mission as a general
university located at the center of the affected area is to
fully commit itself to recovery from the disaster. It is ouraim to create new wisdom so as to strongly support therebirth of the region. Efforts will be focused on establishingnew industries through cooperation with businesses andgovernment agencies to increase employment andrevitalize the Tohoku region. The university hopes thatthese efforts will also serve as a driving force or an engine
to stimulate the stagnant Japanese economy.

The “Tohoku University Reconstruction Action” presented
in this brochure is the prototype of the engine that we
propose. To start this engine, cooperation between
universities, businesses and local governments not only inthe affected areas but throughout Japan and also abroad isessential. We believe that we can create a sustainable,energetic, affluent society through combining the resultsof research and education to date, cutting‐edge
technologies, and the know‐how to apply these results andtechnologies in practical settings, in such a way so as toprovide maximum benefit to society.

Susumu SATOMI
President ,Tohoku University

To overcome this difficult situation, efforts by a single
university alone would be insufficient. It is essential tobuild a cooperative system involving the whole of Japanand additional global resources. Your support in these
efforts would be highly appreciated.
May 2012

1

What happened on March 11, 2011?
Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Power Plant Accident … Double trigger, Triple Disaster
On March 11, 2011, at 14:46, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0
occurred and the intense shaking lasted about three minutes. The
hypocenter was located off the coast from Iwate to Ibaraki. About 30
to 60 minutes after the earthquake, a massive tsunami hit a wide area
along the coast of the Pacific Ocean extending from Aomori to Chiba
Prefectures. With the wave runup height exceeding 40 m in someplaces, the tsunami caused devastating damage to coastal areas. In
Fukushima, a nuclear power plant was destroyed by the earthquake
and tsunami, cutting off the external power source and resulting in
the failure of the cooling system. This eventually led to the meltdown
of a number of reactors.
The earthquake and tsunami caused 15,858 deaths, with 3,021 people
still listed as missing, and completely or partially destroyed 387,594
buildings. (Source: “Koho Shiryo (Publicity Bulletin)” dated May 9,2012 issued by Emergency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters,
National Police Agency of Japan). The total number of evacuees,
including those who had to evacuate or relocated due to the nuclear
power plant accident, reached about 344,000. (Source: Data dated on
April 11, 2012 provided by the Reconstruction Headquarters in
response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of the Reconstruction
Agency).
In the midst of this unprecedented disaster, people in the affectedareas acted in a moral, orderly manner, which attracted high praisefrom around the world. On the other hand, however, the fragility of
the infrastructure for risk management and security maintenance wasrevealed. The urban functions of the affected areas were paralyzed by
the disaster to a far greater extent than expected. More than one year
passed since the earthquake, while there are some signs of recovery
thanks to the untiring efforts of many people, full‐scale reconstruction
is still at an early stage.

The tsunami generated by the Great East Japan Earthquake causeddevastating damage to the coastal area along the Pacific Ocean in the
Tohoku region. (Source provided by Kahoku Shimpo)

In Fukushima Prefecture, a nuclear power plant was hit by the tsunami,
magnifying the disaster. (Source provided by the Fukushima Prefecture
Police Department)2What can the university do? – Efforts by Tohoku University
Under these circumstances, Tohoku University, despite damage to research facilities and laboratories, has made rapid progress along theroad to recovery and has initiated the “Brand New Tohoku University” project.
How can the university best serve, with its academic resources, efforts to recover from the disaster, and prevent or mitigate futuredisasters? As probably the only university in the world that has experienced a disaster of this scale, what can Tohoku University do? Weshould contribute to the rebirth of Japan by creating new values and also contribute to addressing issues of post‐disaster reconstruction,
which are common to all mankind. These are the concepts behind our efforts in post‐disaster reconstruction.

Major Efforts by Tohoku University toward
Recovery and Reconstruction from the Disaster

The Tohoku University Regional Reconstruction Project “HARU,” a volunteer group mainly
consisting of students, is also engaged in the conservation of cultural properties.

Tohoku University Hospital focused all its efforts on receiving patients immediately after
the disaster in cooperation with affected municipalities. Detailed information on its
activities is presented in a book entitled “Lives saved by Ishinomaki Red Cross Hospital,
Kesen‐numa City Hospital and Tohoku University Hospital” (Published by Aspect).

3Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research
As the core university in the area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake,
Tohoku University will lead the post‐disaster reconstruction and regional regeneration.
To accomplish the aim, Tohoku University established in April 2011 the Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research,which was positioned as an organization to be engaged research, education and societal contribution strategically and systematically andcommunicate results of its activities to the public and apply them in practical settings. It is our aim to make one‐stop services available toimplement reconstruction visions and plans in cooperation with government and ministerial agencies, local governments and citizens, andrelated institutions and companies in Japan and abroad. To fulfill our aim, we have promoted eight “Institute‐initiated projects,” andpromoting and supporting “member’s proposed projects (Reconstruction Action 100⁺)” through flexible operation and participation by theentire university in line with the three missions.

Missions
Mission1 Contributing to post‐disaster reconstruction and regional regeneration
Mission2 Creating a multidisciplinary center of excellence for post‐disaster reconstruction
Mission3 Establishing a cross‐disciplinary research organization to conduct problem‐solving projects

Schemes that can respond flexibly tovarious needs (possibilities)

Institute for Disaster
Reconstruction andRegeneration ResearchCenter for gathering the collective wisdom of
foreign and Japanese institutions

Cooperation with national and local governments（contribution to reconstruction vision / plans
through One‐stop Services)

Government
Ministerial agencies
Local Governments
Citizens
Related Institutions / Companies
In Japan and abroad4＋Eight Projects/Reconstruction Action 100

Eight Projects
Project1 International Research Projects on Disaster Science

P.6‐7

Project2 Project for the Reconstruction of Community Health Care

P.8‐9

Project3 Project for Environmental Energy

P.10

Project4 ICT Reconstruction Project

P.11

Project5 Tohoku Marine Science Project

P.12

Project6 Radioactive Decontamination Project

P.13

Project7 Regional Industries Restoration Support Project

P.14

Project8 Industry-University Collaboration Development Project for
Reconstruction

P.15

Reconstruction Action 100⁺
◎ Relief activities for affected people◎ Recovery and reconstruction activities◎ Survey and understanding extent of damage◎ Disaster prevention and mitigation measures◎ Improvement of infrastructure and other facilities◎ Industrial reconstruction and research and development

P.16‐245

International Research Projects on Disaster Science （１）Establishment of the International Research Institute of Disaster Science(IRIDeS) to take the initiative in bringing
about a paradigm shift in emergency preparedness and risk management to address “ low frequency great disasters”
Creation of “the action‐oriented disaster science”
Based on the lessons from the 2011 Great East Japan (Tohoku) earthquake and tsunami disaster, IRIDeS aims to become a world
centre for the study of the disasters and disaster mitigation, learning from and building upon past lessons in disaster managementfrom Japan and around the world. Throughout, IRIDeS will contribute to on‐going recovery/reconstruction efforts in the affectedareas, conducting “action‐oriented research”, and pursuing effective disaster management to build sustainable and resilient
societies, IRIDeS innovates the past paradigm of Japan’s and world’s disaster management to catastrophic natural disasters, hence
to become a foundation stone of disaster mitigation management and sciences. IRIDeS creates a new academia of disastermitigation that subsumes the lessons from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster and the findings of the world‐leading
research into our societies with the aim of establishing the social systems responding promptly, sensibly and effectively to natural
disasters, withstanding the adversities with resiliency, passing and exploiting the lessons to the forthcoming disaster management
cycles.

IRIDes Logo
The IRIDeS logo means the deformalized image of the Japanese character of disaster （災） turned upside down, based on the ideaof Japanese saying “Turn your misfortune to good account.” It represents our mission of learning the Great East Japan Earthquake
and pursuing effective disaster management to build sustainable and resilient societies. The name of the institute is abbreviatedas IRIDeS and pronounced ee‐ree‐dis based on irides, the plural of iris, which symbolizes “hope and integrity.”

IRIDeS Logo

Name sigh posting ceremony,at Aobayama campus on Apr.4, 2012.

Cooperation between IRIDes and other organizations in Japan and abroad.
A joint declaration on international research for disaster science wassigned and announced on Mar.11, 2012.

6

International Research Projects on Disaster Science （２）Research Divisions

Research Fields

Creation of the action‐oriented Disaster Science

1)Hazard and Risk
Evaluation Research
Division・Earthquake Engineering
・Technology for Optimum Mitigation
・Disaster Potential Study・Technology for Global Disaster Risk
・Science and technology for low‐frequency Risk Evaluation
・Tsunami Engineering
・Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics for Disaster Management

2)Human and Social
Response Research
Division

・Disaster‐related Cognitive Science
・Japanese Disaster Culture
・Preservation of Historical Materials ・Comparative Mitigation Society
・Disaster Legislation
・Affected Area Supportology
・Social Systems for Disaster Mitigation3)Regional and Urban
Reconstruction
Research Division

・Technology for Urban Resuscitation
・Regional Safety Engineering・International Strategy for Disaster Mitigation
・Radiational Decontamination Science
・Disaster Robotics4)Disaster Science
Division・Marine Geodesy Research・Space Environment Disaster Research・Volcanic Hazard Research・Natural Disaster Research・Atmospheric and Oceanic Disaster Research・Seismic Hazard Research・Geologic Hazard Research5)Disaster Medical
Science Division

・International Cooperation for Disaster Medicine
・Radiation Disaster Medicine
・Disaster‐related Public Health・Disaster Obstetrics and Gynecology
・Disaster Medical Informatics
・Disaster‐related infectious Disease
・Disaster Psychiatry6)Disaster Information
Management and Public
Collaboration Division

・Disaster Digital Archive・Disaster Reconstruction design & Management
・International and Regional Cooperation OfficePartner organizations●Overseas
Harvard University(USA)The University of California, Los Angeles(USA)The University of Hawaii(USA)
George Washington University(USA)
United States Geological Survey(USA)
Tsinghua University(China)
The Chinese Academy of Sciences(China)
National Cheng Kung University(Taiwan)
The University of London(UK)German Aerospace Center(Germany)
The University of New South Wales(Australia)
Istanbul Technical University(Turkey)
The University of Florence (Italy)
Delft University of Technology(Netherlands)
Asian Institute of Technology(Thailand)Institute Technology Bandung (Indonesia)
The Russian Academy of Science(Russia)●JapanKobe University
Fukushima University
Iwate University
Yamagata University
Ibaraki University
Tohoku Gakuin University
Tohoku University of Art & Design
Earthquake Research Institute, The Universityof Tokyo
Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto
University
Research Institute for Natural Hazard andDisaster Recovery, Niigata University
Disaster Mitigation Research Center, Nagoya
University
Japanese Association for Disaster Medicine
Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation
Institution
The Japanese Society of Psychiatry and
Neurology
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science andTechnology

7Project for the Reconstruction of Community Health Care （１）Two major missions: development of healthcare professionals providing local health care services andestablishment of a Biobank
When the Great East Japan Earthquake hit the Tohoku region, many medical facilities in coastal areas were lost due to the tsunami. While
many affected people were left untreated, the number of healthcare professionals who lost their jobs increased. In addition, valuable medical
information, including patients’ medical records, was also lost. Our efforts will be focused on contributing to improve the system of
educating healthcare professionals with Tohoku University Hospital as its core. We also aim to contribute to reconstructing local healthcare
networks to provide affected people with healthcare services, establishing an advanced medical system, including use of a database of
medical information, and creating industries in the Tohoku region.

（1）Establishment of Comprehensive Training Center for Community Medicine
The Comprehensive Training Center for Community Medicine
1)employs healthcare providers, who were affected by the Great East
Japan Earthquake by offering positions related to advanced medicine
at the Tohoku University Hospital and runs a training center equippedwith cutting‐edge simulators to offer them opportunities forcontinuous training; and has developed a self‐contained system underwhich healthcare professionals who have improved their knowledge
and skills through training are offered an opportunity to work in local
health care settings.

Tohoku University◆Graduate school of Medicine◆University Hospital◆Graduate School of Dentistry◆Institute of Development, Aging & Cancer

Comprehensive Training Center forCommunity Medicine

2) invites healthcare professionals who are engaged in disastermedicine in the disaster‐affected area to provide students withlectures on practical disaster medicine covering an extensive range offields to develop professionals who will be engaged incommunity/disaster medicine.

Education◆Highly specialized healthcare
professionals who have updated
their skills◆Pooling of specialists incommunity medicine◆Abundant knowledge andexperience of disaster‐affected
areas

In Community Medicine,◆Exchange ofprofessionals/Employment in thearea where training has been
provided◆Prevention of the outflow ofhuman resources◆Improvement of the level ofhealthcare services

Medicalstudents
Education

Deployment oftrained healthcare
professionals

Accepting of medical
staffs from thedisaster‐affectedarea

Hospital in thedisaster‐ affected area8

Project for the Reconstruction of Community Health Care （２）（2）Establishment of Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization
Tohoku University has established the Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization to promote the Tohoku Medical Megabank project that consists of0)reconstruction of community medical institutions, 1)establishment of information infrastructure for collaboration in community health care, and
2) Biobank Project.
In the Biobank Project, a long‐term health survey is conducted in residents in the disaster‐affected area. Data obtained from the cohort studies will be
used, in cooperation with leading research institutions in Japan, to form a global research center for genomic medical care, genomic preventive medicine,
drug development, and translational research.
Regional medical institutes / clinics
supporting disaster areas

1. Information infrastructure forcollaboration in community health care
Clinical Information Network

Tohoku Region

Established and operated througha cooperative agreement among
disaster‐affected prefectures
Local
University
hospitals○Establishment of information infrastructure forcollaboration in community health care

Local
University
hospitals

Tohoku University Hospital, etc.

Medical information of residents
will be used, after obtaining theirinformed consent to use of theirclinical data and other personal
information, to construct a cohortof residents and for other purposes.

Nationwide

Tohoku University , etc.
○Three‐generation cohort○Analysis of biological samples, tailored medicine

Partner
Universities

To be conducted under the leadership ofTohoku University

2. Biobank

Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization Logo
ToMMo(pronounced toe‐mow) means ‐“friends” and “together” in Japanese

Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization will continue towork closely with regional communities.

RIKEN

National
CenterThree‐generation cohort +Residents’ cohort
Compilation of analytical information in a
database
Drug development research/Tailored
medicine9Project for Environmental Energy
As part of the reconstruction of the Tohoku region, building advanced communities
which are disaster‐resistant, through R&D into next‐generation energy sources
The energy supply systems in the Tohoku region, and indeed the whole of Japan, were significantly damaged due to accidents at nuclear power plants,
disruption of operation at thermal power plants, and other problems caused by the tsunami. This has focused attention on energy security in the event ofdisasters, particularly from the perspectives of planning reconstruction and promoting industry. For example, Miyagi Prefecture and other municipalities
affected by the disaster include an eco‐town plan using clean energy sources in their reconstruction plan.
In this context, what can Tohoku University do to contribute? In response, researchers in the environmental energy field gathered and developed anenvironmentally‐friendly energy vision. The university aims to communicate results from projects and proposals in line with this vision in order to help
promote the reconstruction of the Tohoku region in the field of energy, which will include the development of disaster‐resistant energy systems and thepromotion of a clean energy industry.

Building an energy management system by combining community energy systems
using primarily renewable energy and vehicles (conceptual drawing)
The conceptual drawing below is an example of a next‐generation energy system planned to be incorporated in the recovery/reconstruction plan for
Ishinomaki City. In this project, it is planned to establish an energy management system where EMS (energy infrastructure) and ITS(transportation/communication infrastructure) are integrated. (Joint group from Tohoku University and the University of Tokyo)
Microalgae power plant
Aiming to supply electricity to official
vehicles and city hall

Smart houses(collective relocation)
Community bus station

50 kW solar power plant
Supplying electricity tocommunity buses andbus stations

Official vehicles(EV/PHV)

50 kW solar power plant
Supplying electricity tocommunity buses andbus stations
Smart bus station

Examples of research issues
Renewable energy from waves and other ocean
currents, which is expected to be used in areas
along the Sanriku CoastUse of microalgae as an energy sourceEstablishment of an energy management system
by combining community energy systems relying
mainly on renewable energy and vehicles

Community buses (EV)Using renewable energy for community
buses operating between the downtown
area and the residential area on a hillwhere citizens were collectively relocatedEnergy management
system where EMS
and ITS are integrated

10

ICT Reconstruction Project
Resolving issues and concerns associated with ICT infrastructure that have been revealed following the Great East Japan Earthquake throughthe efforts of Tohoku University and the NICT Center of Research and Demonstration of Disaster‐Resistant ICT Infrastructure
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the vulnerability of our information communication technology (ICT), which could be seen in the disruption ofcommunication lines, the failure of information gathering, and the insufficiency of information, was revealed, exposing issues that need to be addressed.
How should we address these issues? In response, Tohoku University established in October 2011 the Research Organization of Electrical Communication and, inJanuary 2012, the University’s Research Institute of Electrical Communication and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT)
took the initiative in establishing the Center of Research and Demonstration of Disaster‐Resistant ICT Infrastructure, a collaborative organization between
government, business and academia. These organizations have been making steady progress in addressing the issues which were exposed. Tohoku University, inline with their activities, will aim to develop and verify disaster‐resistant information communication infrastructure.

Establishment of a center for development and demonstration of disaster‐resistant ICT infrastructure

Adaptive and dependable
communication linkeven in disasters

Transmission capacity
handling rapid traffic
growthTransmission
media andhardwaretechnology

Data disaster protection,
Wide‐area distributed
cloud storage
Services and software technology

ICT medical support
and agent system

Collaboration with local governments
and universities in Tohoku region

Creative reconstruction of disaster areas using ICT◆Construction of disaster‐resistant safe and secure future city using ICT◆Promotion of local industries through research & development of ICT

Ultra‐low power
consumption
devices

Traffic congestion
control
Never‐die network

Network layers
technology

Materials and devices technology

All Japan network Industry‐academia‐
government collaboration

Global collaboration
network

Industry‐academia and global center in ICT area
◆Launch and promotion of new industries in the fields of ICT andelectronics◆World‐leading research &development of innovative ICT technology

11

Tohoku Marine Science Project
Launch of the Tohoku Ecosystem‐Associated Marine Sciences(TEAMS)The great earthquake and massive tsunami that occurred on March 11 affected and significantly damaged the marine environment, which provides us with theocean’s bounty. At present it is totally unknown how seriously the marine ecosystem and environment have been affected by the pile‐up of a large amount ofdebris, loss of seaweed beds and tidelands, which serve as habitats for organisms, sand and mud deposited on reefs, destruction of transitional zones between
land and sea due to ground subsidence, and spread of heavy oil and radioactive substances.
To achieve recovery of the fishing industry and reconstruction of the affected areas, it is essential to conduct surveys to identify the damage and to launch newindustries.
The TEAMS is conducted with Tohoku University as its representative and the University of Tokyo’s Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI) and theJapan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) as deputy representatives, with the collaboration of Kitasato University, Tokyo University ofMarine Science and Technology, Iwate University, and Tokai University. Under the collaboration of these research institutes, the “Tohoku Marine Science Research
Conference” was established to conduct the following four research projects to survey the impacts of the disaster on the marine environment and ecosystem.
Project 1: Elucidation of the process of change in the fishery environment ( in cooperation with Kitasato University)
Project 2: Elucidation of the mechanism of marine ecosystem change ( in cooperation with Iwate University and Tokyo University of Marine and Technology)
Project 3: Elucidation of the mechanism of change in the offshore seabed ecosystem ( in cooperation with Tokai University)
Project 4: Development and implementation of data sharing and publishing functions in the TEAMSThe Tohoku Ecosystem‐Associated Marine Sciences (TEAMS)
Tohoku MS Committee(assessment/advice)

The University of Tokyo

AORI
Project 2 : Elucidation of
the mechanism of marine
ecosystem change

External advisers,
Research
institutions,
local governments,
etc.

OtsuchiTohokuUniversity
Tohoku University
Marine Science
Restoration Support
OfficeProject1 : Elucidation of
the process of change inthe fishery environment

Tohoku Marine
Science Research
Conference
Onagawa

JAMSTEC
Marine/extreme
environmental biosphere

Project3 : Elucidation of the mechanism ofchange in the offshore seabed ecosystem
Project4: Development andimplementation of data sharing andpublishing functions in the TEAMS

The drawing on the left shows debris mapping using a side scan sonar.
The picture on the right shows debris on the bottom of the sea carried by
the tsunami.
(© JAMSTEC)

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Radioactive Decontamination Project
Recovery of the living environment from contamination by radioactive substances
The spread of radioactive substances caused by the accident at TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant resulted in serious radioactive contamination. Concerns
associated with the contamination, such as the public anxiety over the ecosystem and the health effect caused by exposure to radioactive substances remainunresolved not only in the areas adjacent to the plant but throughout Japan.
What do we need to remove radioactive substances, restore living conditions, and dispel unfounded rumors? What is basically needed is to investigate the impact
of radioactive substances and provide the public with accurate and useful findings and data based on science.

(1) Development of technology to restore the living environment
contaminated by radioactive substances(2) Establishment of animal archives contaminated by radioactive
substances

The Living Environment Early‐Restoration Technology Research Center was
established to initiate in fiscal year 2012 the three technologies shown below.
Detailed methods for these technologies will be determined in the latter half ofthe project period. A branch office was established in Fukushima City to, in
cooperation with Fukushima University and Fukushima Medical University toidentify technologies needed by municipalities. The results will be reflected intechnology development.

There are concerns about the influence of the spread of radioactive substanceson ecosystems. The objective of the project is to set up an organ bank with dataon radionuclides and radioactivity deposited in the internal organs of farm andwild animals together with the water and the soil in the evacuation areasurrounding the power plant. Organs are collected from disposed animals thatwere exposed to radiation due to the nuclear power plant accidents. Based on
the results, researchers will assess how much radioactivity has been deposited
via environmental media and in which organs of the body, with the aim ofproviding basic information for further research on biological influence.

Three objectives of technology development
1) Development of new technologies to extract and concentrate radioactive
cesium contained in contaminated soil and to use collected radioactive
substances effectively2) Development of cultivation methods to grow radiation‐free agricultural
products
3) Development of large‐aperture gamma ray detection technology for rapid
contamination detection

LivingSociety

Germanium
detector

HealthWater / Air
Agriculture,
forestry andfishing■ Food contamination testingat Tohoku University■Contamination removal from a playgroundof a nursery school in Fukushima City

Global environment

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Regional Industries Restoration Support Project
To provide continuous supports to the restoration of industries and communities in the Tohoku region
In order not only to restore the stricken areas to pre‐disaster situation, but also to prosper those more than what they were, it is not insufficient to reconstruct buildings
and infrastructures. There are lots of social problems which cannot be solved by buildings. We aim to provide knowledge and wisdom and nurture the leaders who deal
with them.
Our project consists of two parts: the first is the Regional Industry Restoration Research Project, in which researchers continuously investigate the progress ofreconstruction and contemplate what kind of industries and communities should be desired in the new Tohoku region. Based on the research, the policy proposals andinformation will be published from the perspective of the disaster‐affected areas. The second is the Regional Innovative Producer School. It provides training programs
designed for executives, successors of local companies and next‐generation of business persons in order to develop their abilities of making innovation happen. In theschool, we develop human resources that can contribute to the revitalization of the regional industries and create new value and jobs in the Tohoku Region.

■Regional Industry Restoration Research
Symposium in October, 2011

Systematically coordinated collaboration among organizations
supporting projects engaged in the reconstruction of regional industries(Regional universities, regional economic organizations, government agencies,
municipalities, etc.)

Regional Industries
Restoration Research Project
Making long‐period of surveys and research withthe help of researchers of other regional
universities and research institutions, we
propose policies to restore regional industries
and strategies on regional ly specific topics.

Regional Innovative Producer School
We provide the courses for business persons todevelop and refine their new ideas , whichmake them feasible business projects under
the support of experienced instructors.
Furthermore, we also teach how to manage
novel business creation both practically andtheoretically.

SupportBusiness projects

Project
makingInnovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project

Innovation
project■Publications of research results in March, 201214

Industry‐University Collaboration Development Project for Reconstruction
To achieve practical application of science and technology innovations developed in the Tohoku region
Many companies in the Tohoku region have been facing financial, technological, human resource‐related and various other kinds of difficulties since the Great East Japan
Earthquake. With the aim of fostering innovation and strengthening the industrial infrastructure, which serves as the basis for the economic revitalization of the disaster‐affected areas, our efforts in this project are focused on contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy through effective use of technological intellectual
property ("IP") owned by Tohoku University, promotion and strengthening of cooperation between industry and the university to support the regional economy, andcommercialization of products jointly developed through cooperation between companies and university researchers.
To achieve the above objective, Tohoku University will further strengthen the cooperative relationships with industrial organizations (Tohoku Economic Federation,
Miyagi Industrial Association, etc.) and municipalities in Miyagi Prefecture and make full use of the reconstruction policies of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and other government agencies so that the university can devote more effort to producing
technological IP and promoting the transfer of its technology to companies in the disaster‐affected areas. It is our final goal to commercialize our innovative technologicalIP in companies in the disaster‐affected areas in such a way as to contribute to the revitalization of these areas.

Example of reconstruction
efforts (JST)Supporting a model ofregional development
implemented under theleadership of the region
using science andtechnology as an engine
for the reconstruction of
the disaster areas

Reconstruction
Promotion Programs

Achievement of practical application ofscience and technology innovations
developed in the Tohoku region

Supporting innovative concepts forthe reconstruction of the region to
help create innovative technologythat can play a leading role inachieving the rebirth of Japan

Step‐by‐step achievement of what
Tohoku University can do

Industry‐university
cooperative support
using matching planners(Promotion of matching)Development oftechnological IP ofuniversities and otherinstitutions in responseto the needs of thedisaster areas (A‐STEP)
Resolution oftechnological issues in
Tohoku Industrial circles(Industry‐academia
collaboration)
Contribution to building a model ofregional development by
supporting the commercializationof innovative technology

One of the specific efforts by Tohoku University is a project
where intellectual resources are used effectively to support theclustering of automobile‐related industries and the advanced
electronic machine industry to create globally competitive
industrial areas. One of the most noteworthy projects is the“Tohoku University Technological Seeds & Needs Matching
Project,” where, since September 2011, “Matching Conferences”
for “food and agricultural fields,” “IT field” and “manufacturingand medical engineering fields” and “Mono‐zukuri (productmanufacturing) Individual Counseling Meetings” in cooperation
with financial institutions, support organizations, and large
manufacturers of automobiles and advanced electronic
machinery have been organized.

Specific examples of major Tohoku University
business projects‐‐ Provision of free public access to the university’s devices‐‐ Tohoku University Technological Seeds & Needs Matching
Project‐‐ Cooperation in Reconstruction Fund Projects‐‐ Establishment of the industry‐university‐government
cooperative Open Innovation Center in the material field (METI)‐‐ Tohoku‐Originated Material Technology Project (MEXT)‐‐ Reconstruction Promotion Program (JST)

15

＋ ＋
Reconstruction Action 100◎Relief Activities for Affected People‐‐ Prevention of panic and unfounded rumors (Graduate School of Artsand Letters)‐‐“Hello! at Porches” Project (Graduate School of Arts and Letters)‐‐ Disaster‐affected children support office (Graduate School of
Education)‐‐ Clinical psychology counseling services (Graduate School of Education)■“Hello! at Porches” Project‐‐ Improved Q&A for disaster‐related legal consultation (Graduate Schoolof Law)‐‐ Legal consultation services by students (Graduate School of Law)‐‐ Disaster theories: Lecture sessions for citizens (Graduate School of
Science)■Practical training
seminar for radiation
measurement‐‐ On‐site, on‐demand classes for the purpose of restoration of schools(Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Practical training seminar for radiation measurement (Graduate Schoolof Science)‐‐ Center for Community Health (Graduate School of Medicine)‐‐ Mental care for people with anxiety over radiation and radioactivity(Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science)< Continued on the following page >■ Center for Community Health

16

＋ ＋
Reconstruction Action 100< Continued from the preceding page >‐‐ Assistance for foreign residents in disaster‐affected areas (Graduate
School of International Cultural Studies)‐‐ Educational Support Programs for students in disaster‐affectedareas (Graduate School of Life Sciences)‐‐ Donation of school supplies (Graduate School of Environmental
Studies)‐‐ Supply of electric power sources to evacuation shelters (Graduate■Donation of school supplies

School of Environmental Studies)‐‐ Cooperation in the restoration of healthcare services in the Sanriku
coastal region (Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering)‐‐ Assistance in preventing sudden deaths at evacuation shelters andtemporary housing units (Institute of Development, Aging andCancer)‐‐ Assistance to health care services at evacuation shelters andtemporary housing units by reconstructing information and■ Supply of electric power sources to evacuation shelters

communication systems (Institute of Development, Aging andCancer)‐‐ Disaster Health and Medical Care Office (International ResearchInstitute of Disaster Science)

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Reconstruction Action 100◎Recovery and Reconstruction Activities‐‐ Support for the reconstruction of the regional culture in the disaster recovery phase(Graduate School of Arts and Letters)‐‐ Natural disasters and religion (Graduate School of Arts and Letters)‐‐ Project to support life with a dialect in areas affected by the Great East Japan
Earthquake (Graduate School of Arts and Letters)‐‐“Concept for Community Building” in areas devastated by the disaster (Graduate
School of Law)‐‐ Support for volunteer students (Graduate School of Law)‐‐ Rescue activities for disaster‐affected museums (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Restoration activities for earthquake/crustal movements observation networks(Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Activity to supply scientific experiment instruments damaged by the disaster(Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Support for pharmacies in the affected areas (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical
Science)‐‐ Support project for recovery and reconstruction of disaster‐affected building (non‐wooden buildings), measurement methods for the level of damage and the possibilityof recovery (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Continuous Workshops by Sendai School of Design “Redesign toward
Reconstruction” (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Application of extreme robotics to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the
Fukushima nuclear power disaster (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Comprehensive Cooperative Agreement with Ishinomaki City (Graduate School ofEngineering)‐‐ Archi‐Aid (Restoration support network of architects) (Graduate School ofEngineering)■Rescue activities
for disaster‐affected museums© Archi‐Aid▲ Archi‐Aid (Restoration▼ support network of architects)© Archi‐Aid< Continued on the following page >18

Reconstruction Action 100 ＋< Continued from the preceding page >‐‐ Food‐Agriculture‐Village Restoration Support Project (Graduate School of
Agricultural Science)‐‐ Regional Restoration/Urban Planning (Graduate School of Agricultural Science)‐‐ Restoration of agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry (Graduate School of
Agricultural Science)‐‐ Food and environmental education support (Graduate School of Agricultural
Science)‐‐ Nano‐hana (rape blossom) Project (Graduate School of Agricultural Science)‐‐ Development of global human resources by the disaster‐affected area
contribution ICT project (Graduate School of Information Sciences)‐‐ Provision of free access to facilities and experiment instruments of the Asamushi
Research Center for Marine Biology to the public (Graduate School of Life Sciences)‐‐ Kinetic analysis and removal of radioactive substances in soil (Graduate School ofEnvironmental Studies)‐‐ Removal of toxic substances from tsunami sediment (Graduate School ofEnvironmental Studies)‐‐ REDEEM: Recurrent Education for the Development of Engineering Enhanced
Medicine (Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering)‐‐ Joint use of advanced facilities, etc. (Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Project of development, collection and supply of resources to support
regenerative medicine research and gene function analysis research (Institute ofDevelopment, Aging and Cancer)‐‐ Medium‐ to long‐term proposals for nuclear power plants (Institute of Fluid
Science)‐‐ Technological support project in relation to the Fukushima nuclear power plant
accident (Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials)‐‐ Regeneration of rural coastal areas using iron and steel slag (Institute ofMultidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials)‐‐ Project for radiation contamination removal using radiation‐resistant polymer
separation membrane (Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced
Materials)■Food‐Agriculture‐
Village Restoration
Support Project■ Nano‐hana (rapeblossom) Project

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Reconstruction Action 100◎Survey and Understanding Extent of Damage‐‐ Record of damage and recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake (Graduate School of Arts andLetters)‐‐ Socio‐economic analysis of the damage extent and restoration process of the 2011 earthquake off the
Pacific coast of Tohoku (Graduate School of Economics and Management)‐‐ Promotion of observation of ocean bottom earthquakes and ocean crustal movements (Graduate Schoolof Science)‐‐ Effective provision of information on the disaster recovery situation at education and research sites tovarious kinds of mass media (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ International Information‐Sharing Network on Disaster Situations (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Prompt reporting on the current situation of the Great East Japan Earthquake and worldwide
communication of information on geographical analysis results (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Restoration and minerals, removal of radioactive contaminants and minerals (Graduate School of
Science)‐‐ Long‐term monitoring of environmental radioactivity in disaster‐affected areas (Graduate School of
Science)‐‐ Identification of victims’ bodies (Graduate School of Dentistry)‐‐ Monitoring of radiation and radioactivity in the air, seawater, soil and plants (Graduate School of
Pharmaceutical Science)‐‐ Measurement of radiation doses in residents in Miyagi Prefecture and conduct of a survey of healtheffects following the nuclear power plant accidents (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science)‐‐ Joint survey of the environment of fishing grounds along the coast in Miyagi Prefecture (Graduate
School of Agricultural Science)‐‐ Assessment of the biological environmental impacts of the tsunami and radiation leakage, and proposals
for reconstruction and industrial revitalization (Graduate School of Life Sciences)‐‐ Green Restoration Project in the Sea and Rice Fields (Graduate School of Life Sciences)‐‐ Radiation measurements in agricultural and marine products, soil, and wastes in Miyagi Prefecture(Graduate School of Environmental Studies)‐‐ Survey of new contamination of groundwater and soil following the earthquake and tsunami (Graduate
School of Environmental Studies)‐‐ Assistance to radiation measurements (Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Project regarding comprehensive dose assessment for disaster‐affected animals (Institute ofDevelopment, Aging and Cancer)‐‐ Great East Japan Earthquake archive project “Michinoku‐Shinrokuden” (International Research Instituteof Disaster Science)■Identification of victims’ bodies
Presentation of a certificate of gratitude
from Miyagi Prefectural Police© Tsubasa IWABUCHI▲ Green Restoration Project in the Sea▼and Rice Fields© Tsubasa IWABUCHI

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Reconstruction Action 100◎Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Measures‐‐ A study on the mechanism of the 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku and application of study results inpractical settings (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Designing earthquake‐resistant chemical laboratories (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ A study on the construction of infrastructure to build a society equipped with a multi‐layer fail‐safe system (Graduate
School of Engineering)‐‐ Establishment of a sensor communication society for the purpose of disaster prevention and mitigation (Graduate Schoolof Engineering)‐‐ Analysis of the criteria for demolishing disaster‐affected buildings and establishment of design guidelines for thestrengthening of existing structures and improving their reliability (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Comprehensive understanding of damage in areas affected by the wide‐area tsunami and monitoring of restoration withremote sensing and spatial information processing, and development of a next‐generation tsunami‐disaster prediction
technology (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Research and development of high‐reliability dispersive energy supply system and disaster prevention system based on
crustal movement information (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Establishment of methods to secure energy supplies in an emergency when electricity is not available (Graduate School ofEngineering)‐‐ Verification of effects of renovation to improve the disaster resistance of existing steel framed gymnasiums that fail tomeet the requirements based on a survey of damage caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and identification ofissues that need to be addressed (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ A study of measures to reduce health impacts associated with disaster‐related housing units (Graduate School ofEngineering)‐‐ Development of disaster education programs and educational support services (Graduate School of Information Sciences)‐‐ Time‐space modeling of disaster and restoration based on video records of disaster‐affected areas (Graduate School ofInformation Sciences)‐‐ Disaster information verification project (Graduate School of Information Sciences)‐‐ Development of disaster prevention technology (Institute of Fluid Science)‐‐ Elucidation of the mechanism of earthquakes (Institute of Fluid Science)‐‐ Research Promotion Concept “New comprehensive approach to the dispersion and control of tsunami energy andreduction of the maximum wave heights” (New Industry Creation Hatchery Center)

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Reconstruction Action 100◎Improvement of Infrastructure and Other Facilities‐‐ Re‐evaluation of disaster laws and regulations (Graduate School of Law)‐‐ Exploration of mathematical models to build a safe and secure society (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Basic research to form a sustainable spatial structure in the Tohoku region (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Global network to elucidate the mechanism of 1000‐year cycle massive earthquakes and tsunamis (Graduate School of Science)‐‐ Formation of a network between designated regional hospitals and Tohoku University to re‐establish dental care systems in disaster‐affected areas (Graduate School of Dentistry)‐‐ Re‐establishment and improvement of oral care service systems for the elderly and the handicapped, or those most vulnerable tonatural disasters (Graduate School of Dentistry)‐‐ A survey of the needs for oral care in disaster‐affected residents and establishment of a system to provide oral care services (Graduate
School of Dentistry)‐‐ Establishment and improvement of a system for identity confirmation (autopsy) in large‐scale wide‐area disasters (Graduate School of
Dentistry)‐‐ Establishment of a system for providing dental supplies and emergency dental care services in disasters (Graduate School of Dentistry)‐‐ A regional self‐medication support system (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science)‐‐ Clarification of factors required for developing recovery and reconstruction plans for a wide‐area massive disaster (Graduate School ofEngineering)‐‐ A regional design for a smart energy system that can achieve both social security and low‐carbon energy supply (Graduate School ofEngineering)‐‐ Reconstruction of an inherently safe system for nuclear power plants (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Establishment of a regional autonomous energy supply system (Graduate School of Agricultural Science)‐‐ Designing and establishment of a highly reliable, disaster‐resistant, comprehensive information system for the purpose ofreconstruction (Graduate School of Information Science)‐‐ Effective use of new public systems in disaster reconstruction and verification of election administration procedures (Graduate Schoolof Information Science)‐‐ Project for decentralized autonomous green iron manufacturing adaptable to the regional environment (Institute of Multidisciplinary
Research for Advanced Materials)‐‐ Super high performance, large scale information processing infrastructure center project for Tohoku reconstruction (Cyberscience
Center)‐‐ Establishment of a disaster‐resistant network center (Cyberscience Center)‐‐ Assisting disaster‐affected area with telemedicine: ICT system for comprehensive support to home visit healthcare services(Cyberscience Center)

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Reconstruction Action 100 ＋◎Industrial Reconstruction and Research and Development‐‐ Regional Industry Restoration Survey Research Project (Graduate School of Economics and Management)‐‐ Regional Innovative Producer Development Project (Graduate School of Economics and Management)‐‐ Region‐originated Innovative Cases Survey Research Project (Graduate School of Economics and Management)‐‐ Development and deployment of disaster‐resistant dental instruments (Graduate School of Dentistry)‐‐ Development of methods to use biological resources as drugs (Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science)‐‐ Provision of free‐of‐charge access to micro fabrication facilities to disaster‐affected institutions and support toresearch and development (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Industry‐university‐government cooperative support project for disaster‐affected manufacturers (Graduate Schoolof Engineering)‐‐ Global center for next‐generation magnetic electronics materials (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Green Energy Harvesting Materials Research Center (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Concept for reconstructing new‐industry‐creation‐oriented regional advanced industry (manufacturing/IT)(Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ An agreement on industry‐university cooperative support for matching and other programs for regional restoration(Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Non‐invasive determination of the degree of venous blood aggregation in disaster‐affected people at evacuation
shelters (Graduate School of Engineering)‐‐ Development of new technology that can be used for regional industries (Graduate School of Agricultural Science)‐‐ Development of turbine power generation technology and education on the technology (Graduate School ofInformation Sciences)‐‐ Support for the development of the medical and healthcare devices industry in Miyagi Prefecture (Graduate Schoolof Biomedical Engineering)‐‐ Project for supporting the creation of Iwate‐originated medical‐use cobalt alloy businesses (Institute for Materials
Research)< Continued on the following page >23

Reconstruction Action 100 ＋◎Industrial Reconstruction and Research and Development< Continued from the preceding page >‐‐ Development of high‐performance devices to address nuclear power accidents and analysis of radiation samples(Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Development of safe and secure, high‐temperature‐steam‐resistant, high‐oxidation‐state materials for nuclear
reactors (Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Elucidation and control of the localized state of elements in iron and steel (Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Industry‐university cooperative creation of Tohoku‐originated innovations using new nanocrystal soft magnetic
materials as the core materials (Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Development of emergency medical technology (Institute for Fluid Science)‐‐ Development of alternative energy sources (Institute for Fluid Science)‐‐ Support program for basic research of renewable energy materials (Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for
Advanced Materials)‐‐ Strategic basic research of green materials to achieve significant improvement of the use efficiency of solar
energy (Advanced Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Designing and development of earthquake‐resistant materials in compliance with international standards(Advanced Institute for Materials Research)‐‐ Development of green power integration devices to achieve highly efficient supply of electric energy and energy‐saving electric systems (Center for Interdisciplinary Research)‐‐ Enhancement of high performance and optimization of new energy creation with highly multidisciplinary
expertise (Center for Interdisciplinary Research)‐‐ Creation of new disciplines and highly multidisciplinary research with the aim of achieving post‐disaster
restoration and developing new industries (Center for Interdisciplinary Research)‐‐ Promotion of "Mg‐Soleil" (a powerful card in ending dependency on nuclear power generation) Project to savethe world (New Industry Creation Hatchery Center)* The activities listed above include projects that have already been completed.

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CREATIVITY TOHOKU UNIVERSITY

Institute for Disaster Reconstruction and Regeneration Research
Tohoku University
2‐1‐1 Katahira, Aoba‐ku, Sendai 980‐8577 JAPANE‐mail: skk‐som@bureau.tohoku.ac.jp
http://www.bureau.tohoku.ac.jp/president/open/idrrr/ (Japanese)