New insights into disaster recovery through the TOMODACHI x “Ignite” initiative

JAPAN Forward has launched the “Ignite” series of English-language articles to share the voices of students in Japan directly with their global peers. A new part of the series includes articles written by Tomodashi Initiative graduate students who traveled to areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake on March 14-15. After visiting areas that still bear the scars of the disaster and meeting with local leaders working on recovery efforts, participants shared their unique visions and ideas for the future.

The Tomodashi Initiative is a public-private partnership between Japan and the United States that was launched after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. It aims to develop future leaders in both countries.

In 2011, a massive earthquake struck the Tohoku region, killing or missing more than 20,000 people. Many countries responded by offering support and assistance to Japan, including the United States, which launched “Operation Tomodachi.” Through this operation, US forces stationed in Japan conducted large-scale humanitarian and disaster relief operations alongside the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

Building on this spirit of cooperation, the US-Japan Council (USJC) and the US Embassy in Japan launched the Tomodashi Initiative that same year. Its goal is to nurture the next generation of Japanese and American leaders.

Building leaders

The program began by supporting students in the Tohoku region affected by the disaster. It has since expanded into a broader initiative offering entrepreneurship and leadership training to high school and college students across Japan and the United States. Supported by both governments and private companies, more than 11,000 students from both countries have participated in the program over the past 15 years.

One of the distinctive features of the initiative is that graduates have built their own regional networks. In fact, graduate volunteers from the Chubu and Hokuriku regions organized this year’s Noto Peninsula Reconstruction Visit project.

Rescue workers search the devastated Noto Peninsula earthquake zone for survivors on January 2, 2024. (© Sankei)

The Noto Peninsula was struck by an earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024. Although that was more than two years ago, the area is still recovering. This March, participants traveled to the Noto region to focus on sustainability and community engagement while learning the realities of long-term recovery first-hand. They also explored how responsible tourism and the concept of “building back better” can support regional economies.

Twenty participants from all over Japan gathered for the Noto Earthquake Zone Project, including 14 graduates between the ages of 18 and 26, and 6 employees and members of the USJC. There were seven men and 13 women.

Exchange experiences and ideas

In Nanao City, Ishikawa Prefecture, they visited Wakura Onsen, a hot spring area that was severely damaged during the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

There, they met local leaders involved in recovery efforts. They heard firsthand about the hardships residents faced, including nearly three months without running water and evacuation periods, as well as the long road toward rebuilding.

Kagaya Inn in Wakura Onsen, on February 3, 2024. Kagaya Inn in Wakura Onsen, on February 3 (© Japan Forward by Mika Sugiura)

Some of the March 2026 participants were students who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake when they were young children. Today they study at universities in the Tohoku region.

Nine members of the group submitted articles to JAPAN Forward, reflecting on their experiences in both English and Japanese. They will be published as part of this Iginte series, starting on May 10. Their writings share their individual experiences, observations, and thoughts on disaster preparedness, regional revitalization, and local challenges with which they have long been engaged.

Watch each student’s essay in the JAPAN Forward series, IGNITE, coming on May 10.

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Author: Mika Sugiura

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