Tokyo Olympics “Reconstruction Olympics” First competition venue Fukushima people

Some people welcomed the start of the Tokyo Olympics softball game in Fukushima City in front of JR Fukushima Station, while others questioned the event as the infection of the new coronavirus spread. I did.

Of these, a 21-year-old male university student in Fukushima City said, "I want you to use softball to boost the atmosphere that is swelling due to the influence of Corona. I want to watch the game broadcast, but I can't see it because of the class. So I'm looking forward to the results. "

In addition, an 84-year-old woman said, "I think it was good to hold the event even if there were no spectators considering the athletes. I like watching softball, so I would like to support it in the hope of winning a gold medal." Was there.

In addition, a 58-year-old office worker living in Nihonmatsu said, "I was impressed by the softball game at the last Olympics, so I wanted to actually see the game if it was held in Fukushima. I think it is unavoidable to hold an unattended event to prevent the spread of infection. I would like to support you by watching the TV broadcast. "

On the other hand, an 82-year-old man in the city said, "I didn't want it to be held because the infection is spreading. Also, the audience does not come from outside the prefecture and I feel lonely, so it became the" Reconstruction Olympics ". I wonder if there is any. "

A 21-year-old office worker said, "I personally thought it shouldn't be held, but since I decided to do it, I want the players to do their best, so I'll watch it on TV."

Those who won the ticket ...

As the match in Fukushima City became unattended, those who had won the ticket also watched the match on TV.

Daisuke Numata (43), an associate professor at Fukushima University, watched the softball game between Japan and Australia from 9 am on the TV set in the faculty waiting room on campus.

Mr. Numata won three tickets for watching the game on the first day of the softball competition, and also won the re-lottery due to the spread of infection whose results were announced on the 10th of this month, but on that day he was unattended. The event has been decided and the ticket has been invalidated.

Mr. Numata said, "I wish I could see it at the venue because there was a live feeling such as cheering and applause, but I also thought that I was glad that there was no audience because I was worried about the risk of infection, so I have mixed feelings." I was talking.

Also, my colleague William McMichael (38), who was planning to visit the competition venue with Mr. Numata, also watched TV in the same room.

Mr. McMichael from Canada moved to Japan 24 years ago and has continued to disseminate the reconstruction status of Fukushima overseas after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and served as a runner at the torch relay held in the prefecture in March. I did.

Mr. McMichael put the uniform and torch used in the torch relay aside and watched the game, saying, "I have no chance to tell about Fukushima overseas, so I feel a little disappointed to hold it without spectators. Is proud of the fact that the Olympic torch was held in the prefecture, and I would like to continue to positively convey the reconstruction of Fukushima. "

Fukushima's "Reconstruction Olympics"

The Fukushima Prefecture Tourism and Product Exchange Association, which had canceled many of the events planned for the Tokyo Olympics, said, "Reconstruction to connect after the Games," in order to let people know the current situation of Fukushima's reconstruction from the nuclear accident. I want you to stick to the "Olympic Games" flag without lowering it to the end. "

The Fukushima Prefecture Tourism and Products Association planned a tour of the disaster area for overseas media, sales of agricultural products at the competition venue, and a PR event to visit the metropolitan area according to the tournament period.

However, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, these events were canceled, and the chances of seeing the curtain to promote the tourist spots in the prefecture created for overseas tourists have decreased significantly.

Mr. Masanobu Takaara said, "I wanted to express my gratitude to as many people as possible for actually coming to see Fukushima, which has been restored to this point with the support of people around the world, but I am sorry that I could not do that. I'm talking.

On the other hand, in order to attract tourists from overseas again after the corona disaster has subsided, I would like to make use of this Olympics, saying, "Don't lower the flag of the" Reconstruction Olympics, "which is the origin of the Tokyo Olympics. I hope that people from all over the world will visit Fukushima and Tohoku even after the end of the Games, and I will do my best to make it happen. " I did.

Some fishermen cheering while feeling uncomfortable with the "Reconstruction Olympics"

Some fishermen in Fukushima Prefecture have a mixed feeling that they want to support the "Reconstruction Olympics" while the reconstruction of the fishing industry has not progressed even 10 years after the earthquake and the nuclear accident. Some people have.

Haruo Ono, a fisherman in Shinchi Town, Fukushima Prefecture, ran as a torchbearer in March (69) to promote the reconstruction of Fukushima's fishing industry to the world.

However, he is angry at the fact that there are still concerns about rumors and the prospect of rebuilding the fishing industry is uncertain, and he feels uncomfortable with the position of the "Reconstruction Olympics."

Mr. Ono said, "I was supposed to be able to revive the fishing industry by having people all over the world eat fish from Fukushima prefecture and experience the safety and deliciousness of the fish in the wake of the Olympics. I can't even feel the character of "Reconstruction Olympics". "

Still, Mr. Ono was cheering for the athletes who participated in the Olympics, and on the 21st, he watched a softball game on TV at home.

Mr. Ono said, "I still remember vividly supporting the Japanese national team players at the home of an acquaintance who has a TV at the last Tokyo Olympics. This time, there were no spectators and Japanese children. I have doubts about whether it will be remembered, and I feel uncomfortable with the event at this time of year, but I would like to support the athletes who are engaged in the competition so that they can return to Japan as much as possible. "

Governor Fukushima Uchibori "Continue to step by step toward reconstruction"

Governor Uchibori of Fukushima Prefecture, who watched the softball game, told reporters, "I am deeply moved that the Tokyo Olympic Games have started from this place in Fukushima, which experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear accident. We will work together with everyone involved to make the Games safe and secure. "

Regarding the fact that the event was held without spectators, he said, "It was a tough decision, and I had mixed feelings when I saw the stand. Unfortunately, the event was different from what we wanted, but the match was in Fukushima. I hope that Fukushima, which has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear accident, will continue to take steps toward reconstruction by disseminating what will be done in Japan and overseas. ".