Study Trip Report on
EVACUATION SITUATION OF MINAMISANRIKU TOWN
By: Iman Fatchurochman, Karleen Black, Vilma C. Hernandez (S-course)
The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake is considered one of the most destructive
earthquakes to have happened in the history of seismology. The phenomenon was coupled with themassive tsunami waves that struck along the east coast of Japan. The tsunamis claimed thousands of lives,
washing away houses and infrastructure.
The seismology group and the earthquake engineering group had the opportunity to observe first handwrought by these mega-tsunamis many exceeding 4 meters in height. We had a 3-day visit to Miyagi
Prefecture which was worst hit with tsunamis as high as 16 meters. This report specifically discusses theevacuation
situationinMinamisanriku Town. Travelling to
Minamisanriku was a mixture of
unexplained feelings. Questions
lingered as to what the town looks
like; will the people of the
Minamisanriku welcome us students
and do we have the courage to see
the devastated town.
Minamisanriku is located on thenortheast coast of Honshu island,
Japan. It was known as an energetic
town prior to being stricken by thetsunamis. The town’s main industry
is culture of seashells and oysters
and is the main source of income formost households. Actually thepeople at Minamisanriku have
Figure 1. Dark grey indicates tsunami inundation area.
experiences with the tsunami, suchas the Jogan earthquake occurred
about 1,140 years ago ruined Minamisanriku. At least 5 times of tsunami hit this area in the last 150 years.
The last time was the Chile earthquake (1960); the generated tsunami hit this area with height of 2.6m.
Due to this experience and advanced technology in Japan, the government built sea wall for a 50 year
tsunami plus 50cm to protect the town. This situation made some people in Minamisanriku area feel safe.
But the power of natural disaster is unpredictable. On March 11, 2011 it was beyond expectation.
Prior to the March 11 event, the town’s population was 17, 620. The tsunami reached this area 20 minutes
after the earthquake. The tsunami took 558 lives while 437 remain missing. Of the 5,300 homes 3,300
were swept away by the tsunamis. 9,000 residents were forced to stay in evacuation centers. At one point
there were 1,500 evacuees staying in the gymnasium which now serves as the municipal facility.
Currently there are still 100 evacuees in evacuation centers, while the majority has relocated to temporary
housing. After the earthquake, Minamisanriku was totally isolated due to no means of communication orelectricity. The first outsiders to arrive to relay their plight to the rest of Japan and the world were foreign
journalists. They found a battered but determined and united people braving cold wintery nights without
blankets, and nothing but cardboard to sleep on. Soon after rescue teams from Germany and New Zealandarrived. Upon hearing of their plight, many people sent relief goods so finally they could eat onigiri (ricebowl) and have blankets. Food was scarce and in some instances a family of 5 had to share a meal meantfor one person. An Indonesian together with his friend came to this area to feed to those suffered people.
Now, the people favour one Japanese word ‘kizuna’ which means not alone, linked connected, tied. Asthey realize the importance of linking with each other. Not only with people from neighbouring towns butwith those from other countries too.
Six months on the ripple effects of the tsunamis continue, many are worried about the future and dailyliving is still a challenge. Getting goods and supplies is not easy. The shops and malls no longer exist andmany have no cars to travel to neighbouring towns and cities. How will they survive with no income? The
1.5M yen each household received is now depleted, the mortgages for homes that no longer exist remain,
their boats are gone, it takes a year to see any profit if they resume aqua-culture. October will be octopus
season. If they succeed in going out to sea where will they sell their catch? There is no market.
The important point from this experience was revealed by Mr. Goto a tsunami survivor. He lost his own
house and presently living in the temporary house. Prior to the tsunami he was engaged in agriculture andfishing; he was also a community leader and served as a tourist guide impart the history and culture of
Minamisanriku. Mr. Goto said that the high technology and our superiority were destroyed by tsunami(nature). Our technology has advanced at some point. We can predict roughly, but it is nothing because
we could not protect our town and our lives. What we can do is just run away from tsunami. We should
keep humble mind, nature always has super power. This is the lesson from the Minamisanriku people
who experienced the tsunami.
Five-Line PoemDARK FOREST
By: Mrs. Mayumi Kudo, 34 years old, wife of a priest (read by Mr. Goto*)
While shoppingalone
A big quake happened
I squatted down and called
the name of my little child
Quickly got home andI ran up to a hill
carrying my childNothing I had
just carrying my child
It snowed a little
Immediately after
we reached a hill
Waves rushed andsurged toward us
Voice of a lady
who was announcing
evacuation publicly
from Town Hall
abruptly stopped
Brown hands of waves
destroying our town
Houses weredrifted away
as they wereStop it
stop it
Shouting attsunami
We ran away
Dodging utility polesthat were falling
down toward us
and passing underelectric wires
Running away
and fleeing
to higher places
Higher and higher
much higher place
We escape to theback hill of the shrine
Screaming of the town
sounds under us
Though we’re also crying!
We escape with my family
in the snow
Even the dark forest isregarded as a lamp
to protect our lives
Ducking at a cornerof an elementary school gym
which we arrived at
I hug my childevery time we feel aftershocks
Sharing a few blankets
each other and wesleep
Putting legs covered with sandone another
Tsunami has left anddawn came we foundhorrible
Birds of migrant
confusedly flew away
Our town
has disappeared
Too heartless andwe cannot utter a word
also cannot be in tears
My homeon a hill was
final destination
Unfamiliar houserushed into my home
Windows are broken
the curtain iscalmly swaying
Wind is crying
as well
Waves have cometo the foot of Torii gate of a shrine
Upward from there is another world
Pink plums are blooming
Early spring flowers are blooming
Ocean isheartlessly
calm spring ocean
and is shining
Telling that it’s a lie?
Those who lost their children
and who cannot meet their husbands
Nothing canbe said
Blank town
The nightof my birthday
at the evacuation site
My child kissed me
shifting his mask
The time of return
I don’t know when
We left our town
apologizing and apologizing
to God (in shrine of my home)
Costumes of priest
tools for ceremony andseal of priest
were safe, which means
We are told to make the best
My child callsnames of all family members and says
Just tried calling names
There are persons
who respondMy husband wept
in the nightten days after the disasterbearing
quietlyMy life is not only minefrom now onRealizing
numerous dreamsof those who went to the heavena)d)b)e)c)f)

Details of the figures:a) The Gymnasium which serves as evacuation shelter for the tsunami victimsb) Tent used for sorting of aidc) Students of DMP and Mr. Goto (3rd from right)d) Vast ocean facing Minamisanriku Towne) Swept town of Minamisanrikuf) Scenery of Minamisanriku after 6 months