Fukushima students in Paris

January 3, 2014

Students to tell about Fukushima, Tohoku in Paris

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20140103_14.html

High school students from Fukushima and other disaster-hit prefectures in northeastern Japan are busy preparing presentations on their communities that they will deliver in Paris.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, planned the event for August. It's trying to empower the young people who will lead the recovery effort in the region know as Tohoku.

About 100 senior and junior high students from the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate have been working on how to present the current situation in their hometowns. They also want to promote regional attractions that could help boost the recovery.

The students launched the project in March 2012 and formed 9 teams.

One from Fukushima reported on the experience of the 2011 tsunami and nuclear accident during a rehearsal in late December. Members used pictures depicting death and resurrection to express their feelings.

Those on another team from Fukushima gave a talk on how much they learned about radiation since the accident. They also showed photos promoting tourist attractions in the prefecture.

Haruna Shiraiwa from the city of Iwaki said she will try her best to give accurate information about Fukushima and explain the charm of Japan's northeast.

Faculty from Fukushima University are overseeing the project. Professor Hiroki Miura says he has witnessed many students developing skills in debating and planning. He says he hopes they will brush up the content of their presentations by this summer.