Olympic torch relay day 2 Departs from Fukushima Soma, which was damaged by the earthquake last month

The Tokyo Olympic torch relay, which started in Fukushima Prefecture, departed from Soma City, which was severely damaged by the earthquake last month, on the 26th of the second day.

After passing through Iitate Village and Fukushima City, where difficult-to-return areas remain due to the nuclear accident, we plan to enter the Aizu region in the afternoon.

Approximately 10,000 runners will participate in the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay, which began on the 25th, and will travel to 47 prefectures over 121 days.

On the 26th of the second day, after the departure ceremony was held at "Soma Nakamura Shrine" in Soma City, which is known for the traditional summer festival "Soma Nomaoi" in the Soma region of Fukushima Prefecture, the first runner was held around 9 am. The local junior high school student who works has begun to run.

At the shrine at the venue, the stone lanterns on both sides of the approach to the shrine collapsed due to an earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of 6 or higher last month, which is said to be an aftershock of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and the pillars of the Otemon gate, which is the relay point, broke. Some changes have been made.

The holy fire is scheduled to visit nine municipalities on the 26th, and the Aizu region will pass through Iitate Village, where access is still severely restricted due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and Fukushima City, where the prefectural office is located. In Inawashiro Town, the only runner in the country raises the holy fire and skis.

And if we proceed as planned, we will arrive at the goal point in Aizuwakamatsu City after 5:30 pm.

On the first day, many spectators crowded along the road, and in some areas with a relatively large population, it seemed that people were crowded along the road.

As the spread of the new coronavirus does not subside, it seems that infection control measures in urban areas such as Fukushima City, which will pass on the 26th, will be useful in the future.

Reconstruction Minister Hirasawa "Departure Ceremony Embodies the Reconstruction Olympics"

Reconstruction Minister Hirasawa told reporters, "Yesterday's departure ceremony was an event to convey gratitude for the charm and support of Fukushima, and it really embodied the reconstruction Olympics. The number of people in the area was small, but it was very exciting. I was really happy, but I hope that it will reach all the people, not just the disaster area. "