My pleasure in being a railway-man
[Testimony 1] Mr. Koichi Sasaki who is a train operator of Sanriku Railway

Mr. Koichi Sasaki, a train operator, The Sanriku Railway

When I faced the damaged railroads and bridges, I thought that the Sanriku Railway might go out of business. But we believed that we employees had to be positive in order to rebuild, otherwise we could not recover. When we started to receive support for the recovery from the Japanese government and foreign countries, I realized that we could recover and restart. Then I had a strong feeling that I could go forward. I was also encouraged by the passengers who used to take a train every day, and they hoped the service would be restored soon.
Honestly, I have never seen the town which developed after losing the railroads. I think railroads are also necessary for the local community. I was really happy when I found out I could operate a new train. When the new trains were brought in and put into the train garage, the smiles of the people looking at the trains are still unforgettable.
When we reopened the service, every station was a full of people and I was very happy to see that all the locals were really delighted at the reopening. Therefore, the trains manufactured with the Kuwait's Crude Oil Funds are operating and I take great care of them as if they were my own cars. We have received a lot of support, so we will work and keep together with our employees and the people who take the trains.
I became a railway-man because I love trains, I love operating them. I hope to be able to help people by fulfilling my work while talking about the stories of the disaster at that time. I was happy that my family was proud of me that I was an operator for the opening.