Volume 107 - June 15, 2016

Iwate is hosting this year's National Sports Festival!
108 days until the National Sports Festival, and 129 days until the National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities!

Moisturizing Liquid Made with Ryusendo Water （Iwaizumi）

May 26th, 2016 （Thu） saw the announcement of a moisturizing liquid （“keshousui”） made using natural mineral water from the famous "Dragon Blue" underground lakes of Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi.

The idea was launched by the "Iwate Sanriku Bridge to Reconstruction Project", which aims to pave the way toward the future of a rebuilt Iwate. The moisturizer was developed through a collaborative effort between
Iwaizumi Industrial & Development, Iwaizumi Milk Products and Nippon Zettoc （Shinjuku, Tokyo）.

Development teams consisted of female staff from each company, who worked to pursue a product that improves skin texture and seals in a lot of moisture.

“We want to develop a local product that will be a longtime best seller. It would be really great if people who bought the moisturizer thought of Iwaizumi and then made a trip over here,” said President Kinya Yamashita of Iwaizumi Milk Products.

The moisturizer will officially hit the market at the town’s 2nd Iwaizumi Yogurt Factory Festival on the 25th. It will be available for purchase at local rest stops and hotels after the 25th as well. Future plans are progressing for a national release.

The 3rd Otsuchi Cup - Otsuchi Bay Flounder Fishing Competition

On June 5th, 2016 （Sun）, the 3rd Otsuchi Cup – Otsuchi Bay Flounder Fishing Competition （sponsored by Fukkou Machidsukuri Otsuchi） was held.

The competition was held in support of the reconstruction, as well as to get people to enjoy the Sanriku coast, which is known as one of Japan’s best fishing grounds. The aim was to catch the largest gross weight of flounders larger than 25 centimeters.

A total of 139 participants gathered at 5:30 A.M. and separated onto 19 fishing boats. They sailed through
Otsuchi Bay, Funakoshi Bay, and Ryoishi Bay. Mr. Hayato Tanaka placed first with 24 fish weighing a grand total of 9,890 grams.

At the awards ceremony held at Otsuchi Fishing Market, the Regional Women’s Committee provided piping hot bowls of fish ball soup made with pacific saury. There were also Mukaikawara toramai （tiger dance） performances, a scallop fishing competition, and much more. The locals and participants were able to enjoy a great day full of laughter and smiles.

“I hope more and more people visit Otsuchi, especially with the great seasonal sights that it has to offer,” said Kozo Hirano, the mayor of Otsuchi.

Spreading the joy. Giving thanks. The Land of Hope Iwate National Sports Festival and National Sports Festival for People with Disabilities

Event: Rubber Baseball
Dates: October 2nd （Sun）, 3rd （Mon）, and 5th （Wed）
Venue: Rising Sun Stadium （Noda Sports Park）
Demonstration sport: Walk rally
Contact Phone: 0194-78-2936 （Noda Town Hall Board of Education）

NODA INFORMATION

Noda is a village located on the northern coast Iwate, with a population of approximately 4,400 people. With a total land area of 80.80 square km, it’s a small town, but it takes full advantage of its geographical location. Utilizing locally produced salt, which holds a long history, and the wild grapes that grow on its highlands, the town manufactures various products for sale. Held in high regard are the scallops, oysters, wakame seaweed, and other local specialties that are caught in the wild seawaters running alongside the town. Make a trip over to Noda sometime, and try them for yourselves!

FDA Plane Named "Iwate, the Golden Land" （Hanamaki）

Fuji Dream Airlines （FDA） has named one of their aeroplanes "Iwate, the Golden Land". The glittering, golden plane was unveiled on May 21st, 2016 （Sat）, at a ceremony marking the 5th anniversary of the route between Hanamaki and Nagoya （Komaki Airport）.

The phrase sums up all of Iwate's marketing activities into a single brand, in order to further promote the prefecture's varied appeal.

The words are emblazoned on the side of the plane alongside Sobacchi, one of Iwate's mascots. Sobacchi and the rest of the mascots, the Wanko Brothers, appear on the plane's headrests, helping to promote Iwate to the 14 cities in which FDA operates.

Abalone Seed Shipment Begins （Ofunato）

On May 27th, 2016 （Fri）, the Iwate Aquaculture Fishery Cooperative （Massaki, Ofunato） began shipment on abalone seeds.

The seeds provided this year have an average shell length of 25mm. They were obtained from Iwate’s 2014 abalone stock hatcheries, which had spawned eggs in May 2015. The seeds will be distributed and cultivated throughout the prefecture, then harvested in 3-4 years.

The Iwate Aquaculture Fishery Cooperative's abalone seed facilities were completely destroyed by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, but repair work was completed in September 2013. The volume of shipped seeds was 150,000 in 2013, 1.5m in 2014 and 5m in 2015. The predicted volume of seeds to be shipped before the end of October this year is 3.5m.

The cooperative is also breeding seeds for next year's shipment, helping to support the vital fishing industry on the Iwate coast.

Feature

Many young people are diligently helping the affected area of Sanriku move toward a full reconstruction. The section “People for Sanriku’s Future” introduces these young people and their powerful feelings.

Click the link to read about Satoshi Kanesawa and his flower business, Flower Dress.

• Satoshi Kanesawa of Flower Dress

Casualties and Damage in Iwate （as of May 31, 2016）

• Deaths: 4,672; Missing: 1,123
• Buildings destroyed （residences only, total/partial）: 26,168

Thank you for all of your support! （as of May 31, 2016）

Donations for survivors: Around 18.49702 billion yen （93,427 donations）
Donations for reconstruction projects: Around 19.77156 billion yen （7,766 donations）
Iwate Learning Hope Fund donations: Around 8.42247 billion yen （17,864 donations）
※ This fund is to assist in the study and daily life of affected
children by encouraging sport and study activities.

• To make a donation to aid in Iwate's reconstruction, click here.

Contact

News from Iwate’s Reconstruction, Volume 107. June 15, 2016.
Published by the General Affairs Division, Bureau of Reconstruction, Iwate Prefecture.
Phone: 019-629-6925
Editing & Printing: SYNAPSE

*News from Iwate's Reconstruction Volume 108 will be published on July 1st.