Still looking for rightful owners

March 14, 2015

FOUR YEARS AFTER: Fukushima city offers last look in effort to return unclaimed items from 2011 disaster

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/0311disaster/recovery/AJ201503140016

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

MINAMI-SOMA, Fukushima Prefecture--For the final time, unclaimed photographs, notebooks and other items salvaged from the detritus of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami are on display here at the Recycle Plaza in Haramachi Ward.

Four years after the disaster, Minami-Soma officials are still hoping to return the items to their owners in what they say is their final effort through a public display.

More than 50,000 photos and 10,000 articles are unclaimed, including certificates, notebooks and household items. The lost and damaged items have been washed and rinsed by volunteers.

The exhibition at the Recycle Plaza will run through March 16, and the items can be viewed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After the showing, the city will store the items, and those still searching for their lost mementos and possessions can view photographs of the unclaimed items on a database at the city hall.