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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

Resurrection of Fukushima (Specified Nonprofit Organization)

Using forest resources to rebuild livelihoods in Iitate, Fukushima

Activity grant

Project Description

Aiming to rebuild livelihoods and local industry in Iitate, Fukushima, using forest resources.
The people of Iitate were forced to evacuate their village due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. As 75% of the village is forested, the recovery of this forest is a crucial issue. This project involves the long-term investigation and measurement of the overall condition of Iitate's forests and the amount of radioactive contamination within trees. Furthermore, it also looks to 1) investigate the possibility of using local timber as a building material by logging trees and using them to build test houses and measuring and analyzing radiation levels within these houses, and 2) investigate the possibility of using wood wastage from logging and forest thinning activities as a biofuel. The results of this will be used to establish usage methods for Iitate-produced timber and open up a path for regional revitalization. [Project No. K15-1006]

Fields
Resource Circulation
Grant year
FY2015 Activity Grants
Grant term
2 years
October 2015 - September 2017
Grant amount
14,000,000 yen
Activity region
Iitate Village, Soma District, Fukushima Prefecture
Installing a radiation monitor in the center of a test house

Overview of the Organization

Yoichi Tao, project leader
Project organization
Resurrection of Fukushima (Specified Nonprofit Organization)
Representative
Yoichi Tao, President
Establishment
2011
Establishment purpose
People forced to evacuate areas contaminated by radioactive material ejected during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster have taken a severe hit to their livelihoods. In order for people to return to live in these areas, in addition to ensuring an environment with safe levels of radiation, there is also a need to rebuild the industry that provides the foundation for their livelihoods. Resurrection of Fukushima aims to work with local people to rebuild livelihoods and industry in areas stricken by the nuclear disaster.
Activities
Engages in a variety of projects in eight basic areas:
  1. Efforts to secure a safe living environment
  2. Efforts to produce safe food
  3. Ascertaining the condition of animals and plants
  4. Ascertaining radioactivity and radiation levels in the area
  5. Securing heat and electricity
  6. Providing support systems needed for healthy living
  7. Working with locals to create a vision for post-rebuilding lifestyles
  8. Working with locals to acheive these future visions
Staff
6 part-time staff members, 223 full members
WEB site
http://www.fukushima-saisei.jp
Representative's comment
The evacuation order that still remains on parts of Iitate is due to be lifted next spring. We will collaborate with residents who wish to return to the village and work to rebuild livelihoods, agriculture, livestock, and forests, and to create and utilize local energy sources.