Nearly ten years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
As
people continued to struggle to recover the quake-hit economies, the COVID-19
pandemic brought them other blows this year. They are now making new efforts.to
keep the economies running.
I visited an antenna shop of Iwate Prefecture.
It locates quite near from the Kabuki-za Theater in Ginza. They sell various products – foods, drinks, clothes and art crafts -- of the region.
An exhibition of Save Iwate, a NPO engaged in various activities for the recovery of the region, was held.
They produce various products using the region’s natural resources and the human network of local people. The products include foods and sweets made from Japanese walnuts, handicrafts made by the victims of the quake. (See also the 2nd photo)
Baskets and cases made by walnut and other plants were also sold. They have some popularity in Iwate. (see also the top photo)
Save Iwate has also supported traditional performing arts. The arts contributed to
united the local communities after the disaster.
Save Iwate displayed new sweets made from walnuts in the exhibition.
Health
masks were also sold. They started to make masks after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The
influence of COVID-19 is not small, but they are trying to overcome the
difficulty with new ideas.
