Keep Tsunami-Stricken Isatomae Community Alive

Blue ocean spreading in front of the Temporary Fukko Shopping Arcade in Isatomae, Minami- Sanrikucho, is really beautiful. But visitors to the temporary arcade is not likely to buy goods there, since they are basically for local people to satisfy their needs. Tourists who visit there are returnees to witness town’s redevelopment. They are supporters of Isatomae redevelopment, and come back to see community developments and beautiful blue ocean. However, very soon eight-meter high dike will be completed, blocking even the view of this beautiful blue ocean. Rumors are spreading that the dike construction is even influencing the catch of fish and shellfish in the bay area of the Isatomae. Nobody has provided adequate explanation.  

 In addition to the dike construction, the land raising for the main shop arcade across the present temporary one (see Picture 1) is taking place. Due to these construction works, many trucks are driving by the arcade. It may take additional three years to see the total picture of Isatomae, which adds up to ten years after the disaster. But two thirds of residents in a temporary housing in an elementary school have moved out to either publicly-provided housing areas or their self-constructed houses. At least, some changes and advancements are taking place.  

 According to the Minami-Sanrikucho City Government, the main shopping arcade will open in March, 2017. However, due to the government’s past failures to meet its schedule, shop owners are highly skeptical of this schedule and have to be mentally prepared to flexibly cope with any change to come. One fortunate fact is that the designer of the main shopping arcade is the same one as that of the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo to be completed in 2020. Shop owners are hoping that this fact itself will attract more visitors and local shoppers to come to the shopping arcade.

 Now, the reduction of tourists and local customers is becoming a serious issue. The location of the temporary shop arcade is not conspicuous due to construction activities. To show its location, they are showing the flags of J-League Soccer Teams, with which in the past they try to win a Guinness record in vain (see Picture 2). It seems to be catching the eyes of some visitors. But since its location is too far away from the newly built redevelopment housing area, they are not quite succeeding to attract local customers, especially so with senior residents. They even placed picknick tables in front of shops (see Picture 3). However, a group of young people drove to the temporary arcade in order to buy soft-ice-cream, since no other place in the area sells it. It seems that local people know what kind of goods are available at the temporary arcade, though many residents still feel inconvenient to come to this distant place.   

 The main business of Mr. Yamauchi, who was formerly the head of the Shopping Arcade Association and is providing information about the development of the arcade to DSIA, is to sell sports goods. But more recently, the orders of curtain rails are increasing, hinting that local house constructions are developing. But the amount of order seems to be limited, since the order comes only from local construction companies, not from large-sized construction companies. Their bulk-purchases enable them to obtain curtain rails expensively from large shops in big cities. As this trend suggests, shop owners of the arcade is flexibly and wisely operating to supply whatever local people need.

 In this sense, they are more concerned about the movement and development of the area as well as brining people back to the area, rather than the sales amount of their own shops. For example, a large number of children in the community attended the Night Market organized by the temporary arcade in early July. The number of attendants was so large that every child in the community seems to have participated. It is greatly owing to having delivered fliers to all nurseries and schools in the community (two nursery schools, two elementary schools, and one junior high school). The temporary arcade is well contributing to stimulating community activities. They are now planning to organize one event like this every several months. However, unfortunately, Isatomae could not become an aid station of the Tour de Tohoku due to the construction. In August, there will be the Summer Firework Festival and a baseball game of Rakuten Team in the minor league at a ballpark near the arcade. They are working very hard to make the best use of such opportunities to attract visitors to the temporary arcade.

 Population wise, Shizukawa in Minami-Sanrikucho is twice bigger than Isatomae. They have been trying to redevelop the town by building restaurants with nice menu and low price to attract tourists. The next year, a roadside station to sell local food will open. In contrast, the Fukko Shopping Arcade has been maintaining their business based on human relations with local customers.

Mr. Yamauchi decided not to keep his shop in the Main Shopping Arcade when it is completed. He is to rent a publicly-provided house with a shop space in the Area of Redevelopment Housing. It is much more manageable than purchasing a new house or renting a space in the Main Shopping Arcade. The rule is that the size of the shop should not exceed the half of the house size. He is managing his own sustainability by making use of publicly available help. The general impression of this area is that they are sustaining their community and businesses by combining every available means.

Links:

• http://isatomae.jimdo.com/
• Introducing Shops in the Temporary Aracde
• Event List