Program Proposal By: Fukushima University International Center

Fukushima Ambassadors Program

End of Program Report Created By: Fukushima University International Center

Messages written by program participants,

Haragama, Soma

Introduction

More than a year has passed since the March 11th disasters, yet the impact of the Fukushima disasters continues to affect

those living in the prefecture. Thousands of citizens remain without a permanent home or a stable source of income, and

concerns, often unsubstantiated, about radioactive contamination continue to bedevil small businesses and industry within

the prefecture. The Fukushima Ambassadors Program was an opportunity for students from Middle Tennessee State

University (hereon MTSU) to see, hear, and reflect objectively upon the challenges faced in Fukushima today. By

implementing a community-service based, hands-on approach to learning, the program helped students evaluate any

misconceptions they may have had about post-3/11 Fukushima, and become, if they wished, an agent for its recovery after

their return.

About the Program

Program Focus

To provide students from Middle Tennessee State University with hands-on learning opportunities that focused on the

physical, financial, and social consequences of the tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident.

Overall Aims of the Program

・further the students understanding of the impacts that the 3.11 disaster has had on the lives of the people living in

Fukushima

・dispel any misconceptions they may have of Fukushima

・help students identify ways that they can become an agent for change in the recovery efforts for Fukushima after returning

home

Main Activities

- Program Orientation at Fukushima University

- Inspection tour of disaster-affected areas on the coast of Fukushima and Miyagi

- Discussions with city officials on restoration planning

- Homestay at Soma City

- Cooking warm meals at a temporary housing district

- Disaster relief volunteer work (clearing debris) at Minami Soma City

- Field study of local agricultural and tourism sectors affected by nuclear disasters

- One night stay at local onsen district

- Interaction with kindergarten and junior high school students living in disaster-affected regions

- Tea ceremony, and other Japanese cultural activities

Program Dates

Arrival in Tokyo: June 5th , 2012

Fukushima Ambassadors Program June 6th – 14th, 2012

Depart Tokyo: June 15th, 2012

Participants

Ten students from Middle Tennessee State University and fifty student volunteers from Fukushima University and Tohoku

University participated in the program

Chaperons

Dr. David Schmidt Vice Provost for International Relations Middle Tennessee State University

Dr. Doug Heffington Department head, Global Studies Middle Tennessee State University

William DY McMichael Assistant Director, International Center Fukushima University

10 18*

32

* (Participated on June

8th and 9th only)

60 participants

Program Itinerary

Day One (Tues Jun 5) ・Arrive in Tokyo. Travel to Fukushima

Day Two (Wed Jun 6)

Fukushima City (Fukushima University)

・Program Orientation（Host: Fukushima University International Center）

・Photo Scavenger Hunt at Fukushima University (with student volunteers)

・ Seminar on Radiation Safety

Day Three (Thurs Jun 7)

Fukushima City (Fukushima University)

・Crash Course - Japanese Language for Homestays（Greetings, Useful Phrases, etc.）

・Crash Course - Japanese Culture for Homestays (Japanese Customs, mannerisms, etc.)

Day Four (Fri Jun 8)

Soma City (Haragama District)

・International day at Haragama Kindergarten

・Site inspection of disaster areas

・Opinion Exchange on Post-Disaster City Planning

・Homestay in Soma City

Day Five (Sat Jun 9)

Minami Soma City (Kashima District)

・Cleaning debris in disaster-stricken areas (Host: Nakamachi Volunteer Center)

・Homestay in Soma City

Day Six (Sun Jun 10)

Sendai City (Wakabayashi District)

・Prepare warm meals at temporary housing district in Miyagi (Host: Tohoku University)

・Cleaning tsunami debris at Arahama Elementary School, Sendai

Day Seven (Mon Jun 11)

Fukushima City (Skyline, Tsuchiyu, Fruit Line, Iizaka)

・Study Tour of Fukushima City

・ Visit to Tsuchiyu Onsen, site inspection of new energy sources

・ Kokeshi Doll Crafts-making workshop

・ Visit to Azuma Fruit Orchards

・ Visit to Iizaka Onsen. Overnight stay and Q&A on tourism and the affects of the Nuclear

Disasters

Day Eight (Tues Jun 12)

Aizu Wakamatsu City

・Travel to Aizu Wakamatsu City

・Sightseeing and Tea Ceremony in Aizu Wakamatsu City

・Interaction with Aizu Gakuho Jr. Highschool Students

Day Nine (Wed Jun 13)

Nihonmatsu City (Towa District)

・Site inspection of Organic Farming at Towa, Nihonmatsu City

・Workshop on decontamination work including measurements of radioactivity in local produce

・Closing ceremony, opinion exchange with Fukushima University students

Day Ten (Thurs Jun 14) ・Travel to Tokyo

・Overnight stay at Tokyo

Day Eleven (Fri Jun 15) ・Depart for US

Day One (Wednesday, June 6th

, 2012)

Student Greeting at Train Station Meeting with President

Program Orientation

Seminar on Radiation Safety Welcome Dinner

Day Two (Thursday, June 7th

, 2012)

Japanese Crash Course Lessons

Student led City Tour

Homestay Simulations

Day Three (Friday, June 7th

, 2012)

Play Day with kids at Haragama kindergarten

Site Visit of Disaster – Affected Areas

Opinion Exchange with Soma City Officials Homestay

Day Four (Saturday, June 9th

, 2012)

Debris Removal at Minami Soma

Homestay

Day Five (Sunday, June 10th

, 2012)

Preparing Warm Meals at Temporary Housings Cleaning in Wakabayashi, Sendai

Interaction with locals at Temporary Housing

Day Six (Monday, June 11th

, 2012)

Azuma Mountain, Fukushima Student Greeting at Train Station

Yoshikawa-ya Inn

Visit to Tsuchiyu, Binary Power plant

Kokeshi Doll Making Workshop Visit to Azuma Orchard

Day Seven (Tuesday, June 12th

, 2012)

Tea Ceremony

Kyudo Experience Visit to Gakuho Jr. High

Visit to Tsurugajo

Day Eight (Wednesday, June 13th

, 2012)

Towa, Nihonmatsu City Radiation Monitoring at Yuki no Sato

Final Workshop and Opinion Exchange

Good Bye Ceremony Farewell at Station (June 14th)

Messages from MTSU

This program was a life-changing experience that I will cherish forever. It was so inspiring to be able to

see firsthand the strong spirit of Fukushima. All I really need to say is to keep it up! Fukushima, you

are beautiful in so many ways! Keep pressing forward and show the rest of the world what you’re

capable of.

Julie Ann Vandel

I honestly have to say this is one of the best programs that I've ever been a part of! I've learned so

much about what is really going on in Fukushima and now I want to help those people in any way that

I can to show that Fukushima isn't what people think. I just want to find some way to come back and

do more there because those 10 days felt that I've been living there forever as if it was my home. I

love the people and the friendships I've made that will last me a lifetime. I just want to go around my

town and just show people the pictures I took while there to prove that everything is fine and if no one

believes me then I will tell them to go see for themselves if they are that worried. Again, I LOVE Japan

especially Fukushima with all of my heart and would do anything to bring my friends, family, and other

people that I don't know to show them that it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth that everyone

should see.

Takia Richardson

These were the best 10 days of my life. Doing the activities with all of the participants from Fukushima

University really changed my life. After coming back home from this program, I would like to live the rest

of my life being a representative for Fukushima.

Preston Nalls

I just want to say that this program has been a wonderful step in changing the perceptions of those that

are nowhere near this disaster and its aftermath. Now that I know and have seen the truth of what is

happening in Fukushima—that it is nowhere near as dangerous and radioactive as everyone and the

media makes it out to be—I am fully confident in defending Japan to others here in America. I want to let

everyone else know how much of a beautiful and kind country that Japan is, and how hard they are

working to rebuild themselves.

Bridgette Gleaves

This program was an incredible experience. It is almost unbelievable how much was packed into a 10

day trip. I think the most valuable aspect about it was the enthusiasm of everybody responsible for

making it possible and also how many individual stories we got to be told and how open everybody

seemed to be in sharing their experiences. Thank you so much for all that was done and I look forward

to seeing this program grow in the future.

Kaitlyn Huppman

The point of this program was to show Fukushima and how full of life it is. These people aren’t going

anywhere. This is a big home to millions of people, and nothing will take it down. Not a tsunami, not an

earthquake, not a nuclear power plant meltdown, and not even the negative preconceptions. The

people of Fukushima are too strong willed to be stopped. These people are getting on their feet after

being knocked down. But once they get going, they won’t stop. Fukushima is about to start going

Shinkansen speed, that sound ludicrous. But as long as there is a family in Fukushima, the burning will

to strive forward will not stop. I will whatever I can do to help. Because I feel like a Fukushima citizen

more than I’ve felt a citizen of any other place in the world. Fukushima is my home. Nowhere else that I

would rather be. Fukushima I Love You! And I’m coming back. So I’ll see you soon

Mark Wester

I love everyone I met there and I truly feel like I have family in Fukushima. God willing, I plan to go back

there and do more to help. I want to have more opportunities to photograph the area so more and more

people can learn what it really is like there. Also, have as many people as you can stay in temporary

housing homestays. There is so much they can learn by doing that. One think I learned is how strong

the families are, and how their love gets stronger and stronger despite living conditions changing.

Justin Bingham

I loved every minute of it all! I do indeed want to find a way to return, I would love to live in Fukushima.

I miss everyone very much, and truly wish all the best for them. I will do my best on this end as well,

and maybe I’ll get a chance to come back and visit soon! Take care everyone! Fukushima no tame ni

ganbarimasu!

Caitlyn Mayo

This was an excellent program. I am so honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part

of such an incredible experience. I learned a lot about Fukushima Japan during my time there and I

believe that though Fukushima has endured much, the people of Fukushima are strong, united, and full

of hope. Already, since being back in the states I have had many opportunities to share with my family

and friends about what I saw and learned in Japan. I believe that word of mouth is one of the best

methods to expel the lies spread through media about Japan and help Fukushima in the road to

recovery.

Janae Matikke

I absolutely loved the program. I was able to learn more about Japan and it's culture through this

program. It was well run and pretty smooth. I really am glad that I went, and would recommended it to

anyone in a heartbeat.

Ekaterina O’Donnell

Messages from Fukushima University

I gained two things through this program and through interaction with the MTSU students.

The first thing is bonds. I hope that all the bonds gained through this program will lead to even more

exchanges between Fukushima University and American Universities. Another thing is care. The care

towards Fukushima shown by the MTSU students was truly , truly inspiring. The told me that they will

promise to talk about their experiences in Fukushima when they go home. Those words meant so much to

me. As a response to their promise and care, I want to do everything I can to once again rehydrate the

beautiful land of Fukushima. I really, deeply appreciate having met the MTSU students.

Jin Ichijo

The MTSU students always tried to do their best at whatever task being assigned to them. What really left a

strong impression on me was that day when we went to Minami Soma. It was a cold day and rain was

falling, yet our task involved digging for debris in muddy conditions. In spite of this, after a few minutes the

students began taking their rain gear off as it got really warm doing all the digging, and I will never forget

how the MTSU students continued to work hard and dig although they were getting completely covered in

mud, sweat and rain. I hope this program will be able to pass on an accurate impression of the realities in

Fukushima, even if for just a bit, to as many people as possible. Many people in Hamadori (the coast of

Fukushima) where the damage was much more severe than Nakadori (central Fukushima), are living

ordinary lives today that are not all that different from their lives before the catastrophes. I think its time that

people stop looking at the events on March 11th as victims or with feelings of sympathy towards though

affected, but instead face the events under a light similar to that before the March 11th disasters. I heard that

some people were opposed to the running of the program in the US. If I were in the shoes of these MTSU

students, I don’t think I would have been willing to go to a disaster-affected area that had a lot of negative

perception against it. I respect the students for having the courage to come to Fukushima, and facing its

realities together with us. One week spent with these wonderful students was a week full of amazing

friendship and discovery. I am so glad I participated in this program.

Satoru Yamagishi

I think it is important to have more people see what's really happening in Fukushima right now. And thanks

to all the MTSU students, I got a great opportunity to learn more about the United States. Hope we could

continue this kind of project, and let the world know that Fukushima doesn’t just have the Fukushima

Daichi Powerplant.

Mavis Ko

First and foremost, by being involved in this program, I was given a chance to reflect on March 11th and

its effects to myself. I was then overjoyed by the fact that 10 students came all the way from the US just

to visit Fukushima. Through the program and interaction with the students, I found out a lot about how

the MTSU students felt towards Fukushima, and I was able to re-discover what’s good about this

prefecture. I think the students recognized a big gap between Fukushima as seen on media, and

Fukushima when actually living here. I really hope that they will continue to support and promote

Fukushima to the people in the States, as we still have a ways to go in our road to recovery!

Sachie Haga

The one week I spent participating in the MTSU program gave me a chance to reflect on the relation

between Fukushima’s recovery and our interactions with the world. I feel the program has brought many

changes to me that have affected my future. Above all, the fact that I was able to create such strong bonds

with the wonderful people from MTSU will be a big strength for me for years to come. Thank you!

Shiori Yamada

I hope the mindset “we can depend on each other when we are in trouble" will spread all over the world. I

like the students from MTSU! Next time, I'll help you if you are ever in trouble.

Rika Hagino

This program was great experience for me, too. I don't want you to think "Fukushima is safe!" but just

want you to realize the reality of "Fukushima" and have your own view. Now, Fukushima is facing a lot of

difficulties, but I believe it will be chances as Ambassador John V.Roos said. I hope you keep having

interests in Fukushima, Japan and sharing the truth. Thank you!!

Ayano Sawaki

I hope that the students will treasure what they saw and felt in Fukushima, and pass their experiences over

to the people around them. Aki Sugawara

I I I think the students who came to Fukushima on this program were not only able to leave with a big

impression of Fukushima, but also see changes in the way they viewed this prefecture. I hope that a lot of

people come and visit and feel Fukushima, just like they did! A picture is worth a thousand words!

Katsuki Sato

By participating in this program, it personally gave me a chance to reflect on the Great East Japan

Earthquake as well. I trust that the MTSU students also gained a lot from actually coming to Fukushima. I

hope to treasure our new bonds, and promote the true realities of Fukushima to the world.

Mami Kumagai

The only thing I want to ask you is that please remember the people you met in this tour, like people living in

temporary houses. I’m sure that They want to see you again as I do so. Thank you for coming to

Fukushima. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

Mayu Shioya

Thank you for coming to Fukushima. I was glad to meet MTSU students. I hope that it is spread throughout

the world that how Fukushima really is a few at a time. Yuka Sugai

To my friends at MTSU: I really had a lot of fun with you, very friendly and sincere guys. Thank you very

much for coming to Fukushima. I myself am a foreign student in Japan. I have been in Japan since

before the disaster occurred in 2011, and I know how beautiful this country is. I always want to help Japan,

especially the East area, to regain its original beauty. This program has given me the chance to do it, so I

am very happy. Hope I can meet all of you again, and meet more people like you in the future

Vic Nguyen

Thank you for organizing this program. I was able to share our differences and cultures through the many

interactions with students from America. Reiko Ng

Excerpts from Final Workshop

Q1: On the upper half, please draw what your image was of Fukushima (for MTSU students) or America (for FU

Students) prior to participating on this program. On the lower half, please draw what your image is now.

Q2: Using colors only, please illustrate the type of future you envision children in Fukushima (or Tennessee) to

be living in, 10 years from now.

Q3: Please write down 5 things you can do / want to do to make the future in question 2 a reality.