The road to recovery in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami is an around-the-clock ordeal.
The cherry blossoms at Hiyoriyama Park are in full bloom.
The viewing season is usually relatively short.
But high above the city of Ishinomaki, the beautiful blossoms are still radiant and full of life — a powerful contrast to what’s below.
Residents work tirelessly and carefully to save what they can.
Each bowl represents a memory and perhaps even a story.
It is amazing how something so delicate could survive something so destructive.
The Japanese military continues to do its part.
Soldiers make warm water for survivors and their nightly baths.
Many areas are still without power.
"We have a snack bar for people that come in and grab a little drink and snacks after they bathe," said Rikia Takahashi. He proudly leads his unit. He understands their role and mission. "It’s been past a month but we’re still searching. We found one body today."
Takahashi knows such discoveries provide answers for families.
"There is closure at least they know, oppose to still wondering what really happened to their love ones," he said.
Ishinomaki was one of the hardest hit areas in Miyagi prefecture.
A once thriving city known for its seafood is now in ruins.
Most roads are impassable – the ones that have been cleared provide paths to more destruction.
But homes can be rebuilt. Lost lives cannot. Many children have lost brothers, sisters and even parents.
"A lot of the people here are people that lost their homes, lost their families," said city councilman Yukiteru Moriyama.
This is one of 118 shelters in the city. The capacity in this gymnasium is 116.
"As far as the food, all they’ve been provided so far is bread, cup of noodles and musubis," said Moriyama. "They’re lacking nutrition but that’s as all the city has provided."
While the children play, elders pass time folding origami. Others appear too tired to go on staring into space. But despite challenging conditions and a lack of nutrition, there is order and respect for each other.
"The people of Japan, they’re strong. We’re going to come back," said Ryoji Soranaka an Aiea boy who now calls Tokyo home. Soranaka is glad he made the trip to northeastern Japan.
"You guys see the news back home and I tell you no brah it’s different from watching but then I tell you that and then I come up here and actually see the real thing it’s unreal," said Soranaka. It breaks my heart man. It’s sad, it’s sad to see."
How Soranaka is helping in the recovery efforts and how his restaurant in Akasaka provides a place for comfort for former Hawaii residents in our next report.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
