[HIGHLIGHTS] Miyagi Minamisanriku Town “Former disaster prevention government building” “To be preserved as earthquake disaster remains”

43 people, including town employees, died in the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred 13 years ago. Opinions were divided between the bereaved families and residents as to whether to preserve or demolish the government building.

Mayor Hitoshi Sato announced his intention to preserve the site as an earthquake disaster site and make it the property of the town. Ownership was transferred from the town to the prefecture in 2015. The prefecture will maintain and manage it until 2031, 20 years after the earthquake.