A coming-of-age ceremony was held in Onagawa-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake. I want to grow from a supporter to a supporter without forgetting gratitude. "
A coming-of-age ceremony was also held in Yamamoto Town, Miyagi Prefecture, which was also a disaster area, and we pledged further growth with the experience of new adult young people recovering from the disaster.
In Miyagi Onagawa Town
In Onagawa Town, which suffered great damage such as the tsunami killing more than 800 people, a coming-of-age ceremony was held on the 10th after taking measures against the infection of the new coronavirus, and about 150 people including new adults and parents attended. did.
Ryoka Wada, who lost her grandmother in the tsunami and was forced to live in a temporary housing for seven years because her home was severely damaged, said her vow.
Mr. Wada said, "Although I stumbled many times, I was able to grow up little by little with the support of my family and local people. Many people supported me for the reconstruction, but the person who felt there I will never forget the connection, warmth, and gratitude, and will strive to grow from a supporter to a supporter. "
Mr. Wada said that he had a photo of his grandmother in his bag and attended the ceremony, saying, "I wanted my grandmother to see her furisode live. I want to do my best so that I can do it. "
Yuko, a mother who watched over at the venue, said, "I've had a lot of hard feelings, so I'm very happy that the coming-of-age ceremony was held safely, and I can't say it."
In Miyagi Yamamoto Town
The coming-of-age ceremony held at the exchange facility in Yamamoto-cho was held with a significantly reduced number of guests to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, and 92 new adults who were in the fourth grade at the time of the earthquake participated.
At the ceremony, Asahi Takahashi and Mari Kawamura, on behalf of the new adults, stated their vows, saying, "Since that day, it has become less commonplace, but I have overcome suffering and conflicts and have led to growth with my own hands. I want to open up a bright future. "
Haruyo Kamei, one of the new adults who lost her mother in the earthquake, also attended the ceremony and was delighted to meet her classmates and teachers at Nakahama Elementary School, which closed two years after the earthquake.
After the ceremony, Mr. Kamei said, "First of all, I want to be an adult who can think about not only myself but also the surroundings. I told my heavenly mother," I will do my best to give you peace of mind, so please watch over me. " I want to. "
At the coming-of-age ceremony in Yamamoto Town, graduates of Nakahama Elementary School, which was closed due to the tsunami damage and the subsequent population decline, gathered and rejoiced at the reunion after a long absence.
Five new adults, including Keita Isobe, who attended Nakahama Elementary School at the time of the earthquake, met again at the ceremony and took a commemorative photo with Go Inoue, the principal at the time.
Mr. Isobe and his colleagues were presented with a message written by their teachers such as Mr. Inoue.
Mr. Isobe's mother school, Nakahama Elementary School, was hit by a tsunami that was over 10 meters high due to the earthquake, but 59 students at that time spent the night in the warehouse on the roof of the school building and came to pick them up. Everyone was safe by evacuating with their parents.
The school was closed two years after the earthquake due to the damage from the tsunami and the decrease in the number of children, and this new adult is the last graduate.
Nakahama Elementary School has been preserved as an "earthquake remains" that conveys lessons learned, but many residents have moved inland and the remnants of the former town have almost disappeared, and even among their classmates, they still live in the Nakahama area. Isobe is the only one.
Mr. Isobe, who was the vice chairman of the executive committee at the coming-of-age ceremony, planned and moderated a quiz competition about the town to remind him of his hometown.
The quiz tournament was less than half the time originally planned due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but it is said that he was able to share his memories with his classmates.
After the ceremony, Mr. Isobe said, "I enjoyed meeting everyone for the first time in a long time. I have been supported by the people of the town so far, so as a graduate of Nakahama Elementary School, I will participate more actively in local activities and do my best. I want to contribute to the community. "