ICL-Channels Classes

BANERJEE Trishit “Seminar on Reflecting on the Reconstruction of Fukushima's Coastal Region”

2. Lecture Title: Seminar on Reflecting on the Reconstruction of Fukushima's Coastal Region

9. Class Outline, Objectives: This course explores the reconstruction efforts in coastal Fukushima following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Accident. It emphasises the roles of local communities and emerging industries. Through active learning techniques such as group work and field visits to Futaba Town in Fukushima, students will analyse the disaster’s impacts, understand reconstruction challenges, and develop multidisciplinary problem-solving skills. Ultimately, the course fosters empathy for cultural sensitivities and equips students to address town-building challenges globally.

10. Class Schedule: · Week 1: Orientation
o Introduction to class and syllabus.
· Week 2: Team Building
o Introduction to Fukushima.
· Week 3: Case Study 01: Okuma Nexus Farm
o Analyse the agricultural challenges of strawberry farming in Okuma through group discussions.
· Weeks 4-6: Field Visit to Futaba - I (25 October, 2025 08:00~18:00)
o Town tour of Futaba.
o Overview of coastal Fukushima and reconstruction challenges.
· Week 7: Reflection
o Reflect on the first field visit.
· Week 8: Case Study 02: Asano Nenshi
o Explore manufacturing challenges with the case of a yarn production company in Futaba.
· Week 9: Case Study 03: inVisible
o Discuss tertiary sector challenges through the case of NPO inVisible (Art) in Tomioka.
· Weeks 10-12: Field Visit to Futaba - II (17 January, 2025 08:00~18:00)
o Workshop by FONT (F-ATRAs), listening to diverse local perspectives on reconstruction.
· Week 13: Groupwork
o Identify and analyse two major local challenges in Miyagi/Tohoku.
· Week 14: Presentation Practice
o Group and individual practice for final presentations.
· Week 15: Final Presentation and Reflection
o Present solutions to key challenges in Miyagi/Tohoku and reflect on lessons learned.

11. Evaluation/Assignments: · Attendance / 出席 (30%)
· Groupwork and Discussions / グループワーク (20%)
· Field Visit Reflections / 振り返り (20%)
· Final Presentation / 最終発表 (30%)

13. Out of Class Study: Students are required to complete readings and prepare for class discussions. Group work outside class time are approximately 2 hours/week. Field visit will be a 1-day long visit each time (Total 2 times). For students who cannot visit physically (Only for non-Tohoku University students), we will organise online contents.

15. Syllabus URL: Seminar on Reflecting on the Reconstruction of Fukushima's Coastal Region