Synopsis
The Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011 unleashed widespread devastation in the Tohoku Region, leaving Rikuzentakata as one of the most devastated City in Japan.
After the disaster, Rikuzentakata Mayor, Mr Futoshi Toba, spearheaded the city’s recovery through an 8-year reconstruction plan. Beyond rebuilding a liveable city for its people, Mayor Toba’s vision for the new city includes a resilient society, addressing the needs of communities for better integration. Another key lesson from the calamity is the importance of disaster preparedness.
This lecture brings us on a journey of shared experiences, where the strength of the human spirit triumphs over adversity, true to the Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi yaoki” - “fall seven times but get up eight times”.
Mayor Futoshi Toba is serving his second term as Mayor of Rikuzentakata, Japan. He was elected to the city's Council in 1995 for three terms and served as the Deputy Mayor from 2007 to 2011. He was first elected as Mayor in 2011, one month prior to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
The devastating tragedy claimed thousands of lives, amongst the casualties was Mayor Toba's wife. Five years on, he dutifully fulfills the dual role of father to both his sons as well as visionary leader to the citizens of Rikuzentakata.
Singapore Red Cross is a homegrown humanitarian organisation, dedicated to relieving human suffering, protecting lives and dignity and responding to emergencies since 1949. We serve the vulnerable through our blood donor recruitment programme, home and activity centre for the disabled, transport aid, food aid and community first aid.
We build capacity and resilience through our training academy and volunteer and youth development. Beyond our shores, we mobilise and translate contributions from the donor community to relief and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, with the aim of helping communities affected by disasters.