Future From Fukushima

Just like three years ago today, it started snowing this afternoon in Fukushima. For the last three years Fukushima has been a big part of my thoughts, prayers, and work. Many emotions filled my heart even as a foreigner who visited only a few times and I can't imagine what might be going through the hearts of people in Fukushima.

Sadness for what happened.

Gratitude for the recovery work that is taking place, even though it is slow and much more complex in Fukushima than Miyagi and Iwate due to the nuclear disaster.

Hope for tomorrow.

We remember that day.

Being Grateful: Japan Red Cross received USD $1 billion from all over the world for disaster recovery. 

Being Hopeful: Future from Fukushima movement

Local businesses started a movement to encourage economic recovery and sustainability within Fukushima called "Future from Fukushima." One big difference we saw this year is that vegetables from Fukushima are available at local groceries now. Fukushima used to be famous for their high quality produce and the market had been completely destroyed since the nuclear disaster but it is now slowly picking up. At the local grocery store we went this evening, there were two separate stands of fresh produce: one from Fukushima and the other from other parts of Japan. 

Fukushima produce on the right side.

Customers at the Fukushima produce stand.

Shitake mushroom from Fukushima is 198 yen (almost $2).

Shitake mushroom from Toyama is 298 yen (almost $3).

This afternoon we visited Grace Garden Chapel in Koriyama to hear about how their journey for the past three years has been, especially for the last 18 months since we were together. Rev. Sanga and his wife, Toyomi and a few staff at the church welcomed us. Arriving there a little after 2 pm and seeing snow outside, the first thing we shared was about the moment when it all happened three years ago.

Look forward, do not look backward 

"Can you imagine this, I am a Pentecostal church pastor and I work with a pastor from United Church of Christ (liberal denomination)? We are now working in unity and collaboration among local churches. We organize many events together and we are all involved in various networks in Fukushima." Rev. Sanga said in his usual quiet voice with a smile on his face.

"One big difference is that I used to support from the background but now I am a leader up front leading the network. We need to learn from one another and Fukushima will be the ground of new mission to be birthed for this century. We must look forward, we can't just sit and look backward."

When the disaster happened, it was a chaotic time of working in isolation as one local church serving the victims and evacuees in Koriyama. Through the first Fukushima Future Forum that FVI hosted in July 2011 (just four months after the disaster), he met others who were in the same situation: small local church leaders who made tough decisions to stay in Fukushima. 

They cried out to God together (read their prayers here) and they are now working together and building a future together. 

Fukushima, the future is here!