Focus on the Future: Futaba Project aims to rebuild dreams and repopulate its community

3.11 EXPLORING FUKUSHIMA: This feature is part of an original Milwaukee Independent editorial series that documented the 13th anniversary of the "Great East Japan Earthquake," tsunami, and nuclear accident, including the conditions of both the people and places that remain affected by the disaster across the Tōhoku region. mkeind.com/exploringfukushima

More than a decade after the devastating events of March 11, 2011, Futaba is cautiously stepping towards rejuvenation. The echoes of the past linger in the abandoned homes and deserted streets, yet there is a burgeoning hope, fostered by initiatives such as the Futaba Project that aim to rejuvenate a sense of community in this area previously stricken by nuclear disaster.

Haruo Imaizumi, a native of Futaba, recounted the immediate chaos and the long, winding road to recovery.

“My ancestors have lived here for generations, and I was born and raised in Futaba Town. When the disaster struck, my family was separated and evacuated to Osaka and Tokyo,” said Imaizumi. “After helping with the restoration work in Futaba Town, I met up with my wife in Tokyo. Living in an unfamiliar Tokyo was difficult, so a month later my wife and I moved to Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.”

Imaizumi said that with decontamination and the passage of time, radiation levels had returned to normal levels. That allowed for evacuation orders to be lifted in some areas. Unfortunately, his home in Futaba was still in a difficult-to-return zone.

The disaster not only ravaged physical structures but also dispersed communities, pushing Imaizumi and his wife to relocate multiple times in search of stability.

Despite the lifting of evacuation orders in parts of the region, the return to a “normal” life in Futaba remained fraught with emotional and logistical challenges.

“More than 10 years have passed since the disaster, and even if we were allowed to go back, we all have new lives and jobs in the places we have moved to,” said Imaizumi. “No one knew if they could return or not. Besides, I don’t want to go back to Futaba Town. There is nothing left for me other than what is left of my home.”

But Imaizumi’s farm, like many other locations, had fallen into disrepair due to being uninhabited for so long. He was not sure if would even return home temporarily if given the opportunity.

Amidst the tangible losses, the beauty of Futaba’s cherry blossoms in Yonomori stands as a poignant reminder of the town’s former vibrancy, according to Imaizumi. This contrast between natural splendor and human abandonment encapsulated the complex journey of recovery and remembrance.

The urgent response in the aftermath of the 3.11 disaster, marked by coming together to aid tsunami victims and navigate the logistical nightmares of identity verification and funerary practices, remains a testament to Futaba’s tight-knit relations.

Yuji Muto, representing a newer wave of hope through the Futaba Project, discussed ongoing efforts to revitalize the town and foster a sense of community among both former and potential new residents. Milwaukee Independent caught up with his team while making preparations for a community event on March 11 around the Futaba train station.

“Today we will have a silent prayer and candlelight vigil for the victims of 3-11 in the plaza in front of this place,” said Muto. “The clock on the roof here still points to 14:46, the time of the earthquake.”

As project manager, Muto’s work encapsulates a bridge between the past and the future, aiming to entice families and individuals to partake in the town’s rebirth. However, the challenge is monumental.

“Since the ban was lifted a year ago for parts of Futaba, we have been accepting applications in phases,” said Muto. “Although we have only just begun, we have not received the maximum number of applications.”

Muto added that in addition to health concerns, many who wanted to return also faced psychological barriers to returning.

The Futaba Project, established in March 2019, emerged as a collective endeavor with the purpose of stitching together the fabric of a town torn apart by tragedy. The project’s logo, encircled by an infinity symbol and drenched in rainbow hues, symbolizes enduring hope and the vibrant future envisaged for Futaba.

2024 marks a significant year in the town’s economic recovery, which remains far from complete. The stories of residents, both old and new, have yet to be written. After the government’s 2023 decision to lift certain evacuation orders, there has been a cautious optimism about repopulating and rejuvenating the area.