This film depicts man’s pride as they live with the sea, grateful for its blessings while accepting its many risks.
The forest, rivers and groundwater nurture the sea of Otsuchi-cho. Otsuchi-cho is located in the center of Tohoku region of Japan. The spring water also flows from the seabed of Otsuchi Bay.
On March 11, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 and up to 22-meter high tsunami struck Otsuchi-cho. Of the 15,000 population, 1,281 people died or were reported missing. 85 percent of the town was lost.
Central government proposed plan to construct 14.5-meter embankment to protect Tsunami. However, Hiromi Kawaguchi, chairman of the Akahama Residents’ Committee, refused the government’s plan and made them accept his original plan. He lost his mother, wife and grandson to the tsunami. He believes that “Nature cannot be controlled by man. For future generations, we must build our homes on higher ground.”
Tsutomu Abe, head of Fishermen’s Cooperative Association, is devoting all his energies into delivering high-quality seafood as specialty products by taking advantage of the excellent fishing grounds. Abe believes that “We must live with nature and its blessings. We do not need huge man-made structure.”
Both Abe and Kawaguchi differ from those who believe in controlling nature with power and money. This film takes place in a small, disaster-stricken rural area. However, this is a just smaller version of problems that can be found in other places of the world. ‘Development vs. nature conservation’, ‘first principle of economics vs. sustainable living’.
Both Abe and Kawaguchi differ from those who believe in controlling nature with power and money. This film takes place in a small, disaster-stricken rural area. However, this is a just smaller version of problems that can be found in other places of the world. ‘Development vs. nature conservation’, ‘first principle of economics vs. sustainable living’.