Miyagi Okawa Elementary School Trial Plaintiffs Report "Efforts to Protect Children's Life"

Based on the ruling that the plaintiffs held a debriefing session in Sendai City on the 21st regarding the trial over Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, where many children were killed in the Great East Japan Earthquake and pointed out the importance of disaster prevention measures in advance. He urged that efforts be made to protect the lives of children.

In October, Ishinomaki City and Miyagi Prefecture were ordered to compensate for the Okawa Elementary School, which killed 84 children and faculty members in the tsunami caused by the earthquake, and the bereaved families of 23 children filed a lawsuit. A ruling pointing out the importance of countermeasures has been finalized.

Ten years before the earthquake, about 200 people participated in the debriefing session of the trial held in Sendai City, including the venue and online.

First, Mihiro Sato, who lost the eldest son who was a co-representative of the plaintiffs and was in the third grade, said, "I died at a school where children with dreams loved. While it is said that it is a wonderful decision, the staff at the site Some say that the burden on the school is too great. I would like to discuss the significance of the trial and use it for disaster prevention measures at schools. "

After that, Professor Shigeto Yonemura of the University of Tokyo Graduate School, who is familiar with the tsunami proceedings, gave a lecture and neglected to take advance measures such as setting evacuation sites and evacuation routes, as well as systematic mistakes on the school side including the Board of Education. He pointed out that the recognition of was a groundbreaking decision.

After that, he appealed that disaster prevention measures should be strengthened not only on the school side but also in cooperation with the local community.

Takahiro Shimomo, one of the plaintiffs who lost his second daughter in fifth grade, said, "I want you to get to know the events and trials at Okawa Elementary School widely and think about how to protect the lives of each child." I did.