The energy Fukushima needs II: Mending the cracked vessel

In the first article, we looked at the current situation along the coastal area of Fukushima most affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Meltdown. However, our visit is to learn about the recovery of the area, so we will continue with sharing of how recovery efforts in the region look like now.

Here is a recap of the region names, so it’ll better give you an idea of the scale of things.

The gargantuan task of revitalizing from disaster

Regional revitalization from decline differs from revitalization from acute destruction from earthquake, tsunami, and radiation. The Japanese government has spent tens of trillions of yen trying to restore Hamadori, especially back to habitable status of the radiation-affected areas.

Other than natural risks, industries are also finding it hard to revive. Infrastructure still has some gaps, there is a lack of available jobs, and the demographics are heavy on the elderly side. Some areas are still ghost towns with uncleared damage from 11 March’s earthquake and tsunami.

And all this is under the looming disaster history the region has. A survey conducted in 2021 nationwide revealed that 62% are not interested in moving to disaster-affected areas. Trends suggest a slight increase in interest in moving to affected areas but showed a decreasing trend in interest in the region’s recovery.

So what we see is still a work in progress for the enormous task ahead for Fukushima, especially the Sousou region. However, the situation is not a state of helplessness. We see new kinds of energies arising from Fukushima, especially when we peer into the details.

Renewable energy in Fukushima: 100% renewables by 2040

Let’s begin with the most obvious: power and energy. With the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the prefecture has poised itself to target 100% renewable energy with its “Zero Carbon City Declaration.”

Traveling along the road parallel to the coast, you’ll come across fields and fields of solar farms. Most of these lands were farmlands for agriculture, now converted into solar farms after damage restoration from tsunami damage. Wind farms, biomass power plants, and even hydrogen energy plants contribute to the energy mix Fukushima utilizes.

And it seems to be going well. In last year’s report, the Fukushima Prefecture Planning and Coordination Department Energy Division reported that 43.4% of the energy that the prefecture used in 2020 is renewable energy. This puts them well on the path to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2040. 83% of that power comes from solar farms. It paints a hopeful picture that the prefecture can succeed without needing nuclear energy. Fukushima might even become a case study for renewables for other prefectures.

Fukushima Innovation Coast framework for revitalizing the affected areas

One of the main obstacles holding people back from moving back to the Sousou region is the lack of jobs. To tackle that, the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework was introduced.

As stated on their website, it is “a national project designed to build a new industrial infrastructure in the coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture in order to recover the industries that were lost due to the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 and the nuclear disaster.” For this purpose, they are focusing on six main industries, one of which is energy, covered earlier.

Popularity of robotics

Drones and Robotics are another focus. It reveals the region’s high interest in developing the latest technology. The Fukushima Robot Test Field, built at the east side of Minamisoma City, is a facility that allows robotic companies to experiment with robots in various situations and elevations. It has drawn several companies here, with one including work on the eVTOL Mk-3 flying car, currently on display at the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum.

Of course, using the decommissioning robot system for Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant’s decommissioning is essential, and it is one of the key developments. This brings us to another main focus: research and development for the decommissioning of nuclear plants, including the removal of fuel debris and the treatment and disposal of radioactive waste. TEPCO is also beginning to experiment with tours to visit the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant site and its decommissioning.

Revival of agriculture

One of the biggest hurdles for Sousou is the revival of agriculture. Cleanup has finally completed in most areas, but the lack of human resources to take up the farming mantle leaves many fields untouched.

Sasaki Seimei, who we talked to about nuclear energy in the previous article, shared that there used to be small farmlands in Namie town that were not profitable, even before the nuclear disaster. Even the young had to leave Namie to work outside. Now with fewer people, there was a chance to consolidate using financial support from the government. But ultimately, there were still no farmers.

To him, it is mottainai to see arable land untended. He would gladly welcome interested farmers to take over the farms. Currently, the debate about whether to convert the farmlands into solar farms continues.

The remaining two focuses are the health and space industries.

To create an enjoyable life

The regions near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant are still building an economic base to flourish. And though the framework above is well thought out, it does not quite address the quality of life for returnees to previous evacuation areas. For that, we see a number of projects and initiatives addressing this..

Creating community connection at Okuma Interaction Zone

Near the Okuma Town Hall houses over 300 returnees and 700 TEPCO workers (who work for the decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant). The Okuma Interaction Zone was opened in October 2021 as one of the many small starts to bring a “normal lifestyle” back.

The Okuma Interaction Zone strongly focuses on providing for the residents, but also welcomes outside visitors to use them. The zone has a Commerce Facility where shops are set up, including restaurants, a convenience store, and a post office. Behind it is the hot spring accommodation, Hotto Okuma, perfect for a weekend getaway or a workation trip.

The Interaction Facility, link-ru Okuma, is perhaps the most impressive, equipped with rooms to maximize community building. Facilities include a cooking studio, a fully equipped gym, a music studio, two general classrooms, and a hall for sports and events (and even a bouldering wall for children!)

It would do well if more people utilized the facilities, but the key issues remain: attracting more population requires more jobs and younger people to move into Okuma Town. Nevertheless, the town is creating platforms (including events) to involve the locals in activities.

Energy from FUTABA Art District

As you walk around Futaba Town, apart from some of the destruction left untouched, you see numerous bright murals around town. These were initiated by OVER ALLs, a mural art company.

The company wanted to create a catalyst to spark a meaningful reconstruction in the area, and believed that art could give the area power. And that gave Futaba residents the positivity to start recovering the area.

And it is one of the energies injected well into the area, because OVER ALLs’ mural art role is to inspire. Other than the construction going on nearby, Futaba town is a ghost town. That’s not to draw an image of dilapidation, but remember there is no draw for residents to return just yet, with the lack of an economic base. What form will the energy from the murals take in the future?

Remembering paves the way for Hamadori’s future

The past shapes the future, and there are many memorials, big and small, around the region.

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster Memorial Museum is a must-visit. Following its predecessor, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, the museum is designed to be comprehensive and emotive. It offers an organized look at the events on the fateful day, the issues surrounding nuclear energy, and the reconstruction efforts of the region. The Fukushima Prefecture Reconstruction Memorial Park construction is also in the works.

Odaka Town as one model of Fukushima’s revitalization

Within the previous 20km restriction zone is the reopened Odaka town. Getting off the train of the Joban Line, you will see a quiet station that is common in various rural locations of Japan. Behind it sprawls a neighborhood town under a sky spread wide.

“Even though Odaka Town was opened for returnees to resettle in July 2016, it has only attracted about 3,000 people after six years. I don’t think the population will increase any more significantly than this,” shared Taira from Real Fukushima (our guide as mentioned in article part one).

“Of course, there are many reasons returnees don’t return to their homes. Many have found and built a second life elsewhere after evacuating 11 years ago, so that is one less pull factor for Hamadori residents to return.”

Revitalization through positive passion

It is intuitive to think that we want things to return to the way it was, with the original population, infrastructure and lifestyles. However, with the scale of the disaster Fukushima experienced and the hurt it has endured, it is impossible to wish for back-when-things-were. But it doesn’t need to be.

“The people who moved to this region are keen to live here. They bring their positive passions, which will create a new Fukushima identity,” Karin shared.

Indeed, returnees and relocators have brought interesting new startups to Odaka, filling gaps that the town and its residents need.

Full House Book Store and Book Cafe

Book fans will be happy to visit Yu Miri’s book cafe, Full House, here in Odaka. She is well-known for her various works, including “Tokyo Ueno Station” and, of course, “Full House.” The front of the cafe is designed by architecture Shigeru Ban, and is open to provide a homely place to wait for the train. The most exciting thing was probably finding signed copies of Yu’s work in the book store! Did you know there’s a theatre too?

Horse Value

A few areas in Japan are pioneering the concept of bringing back horses as transportation, and Odaka Town is one of them. Horse Value established itself in Odaka two years ago, intending to use horses to solve the issues of the surrounding region. They want to create the social value of horses in an area famous for its historical links to horses.

haccoba -Craft Sake Brewery-

You’ve heard of craft beer. How about craft sake? The founder of haccoba Craft Sake Brewery is shaping a new value, while working with local businesses to bring the region’s goodness to the town. It even has a loyal following coming to visit from outside the region. haccoba will no doubt become a key part of Odaka Town’s culture.

Odaka Pioneer Village

Odaka Pioneer Village serves as a platform where people can come together and let business sparks fly. With their tagline, “Creating 100 businesses to solve 100 regional issues,” this is a coworking space that has an attached lodging. The design of the place is worth looking at, on how it breaks down boundaries (eg work and play).

iriser Handcrafted Glasswork

And we’d be remiss to mention another Odaka brand, iriser. The all-female team of craftswomen make exquisite handmade glass accessories. The brand started from zero in a region that almost lost it all, and now they are leaving a mark in Odaka’s future.

And these are only in Minamisoma, because we see equally passionate individuals coming from the other regions of Sousou too. The region beams with the glow of creativity and talent. These entrepreneurs are the positive passions that Fukushima needs.

Kintsugi young generation: repairing a cracked vessel with gold

Unlike the ghost town of Futaba, Odaka Town is a quiet town similar to an island town. The population is bigger than most island towns, but has a similar laid-back atmosphere. But behind that laid-back atmosphere, there is reverence for the pain and loss the region has gone through.

Of course, the current circumstances are still found wanting. For example, only one clinic serves Odaka’s 3,000 population. A visit to the hospital requires a 30 minutes drive north towards the center of Minamisoma City. It’s a concern when most of the population are aged folks. The town also lacks manpower, for example, to take over the farming lands or to volunteer (which was needed when another earthquake rocked the region earlier this year in March.)

But we see members of the younger generation moving into the disaster-affected areas of Fukushima. Supported by incentives by the prefecture to revitalize the region and welcomed by the current residents, these new blood are bringing along their wishes to do something for the region. They are like gold in kintsugi, or call them the “kintsugi young generation” if you will, applying their passions to the cracks of a broken vessel, creating a new Sousou, a new Fukushima, so that the region can once again fill itself with value. This kintsugi generation will create a value that’s not of the former glory of a perfect bowl, but something more beautiful to offer after mending.