Stories of
MIYAGI

By the Great East Japan Earthquake, people in Miyagi Prefecture who suffered enormous damage, reaffirmed the strength of the community, and have been striving to rebuild an attractive city holding appreciation in their heart for both domestic and overseas supporters.

Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Fish Market reconstructed at exceptional speed

Picture of All of workers in the business department of the Kesen Fish Market, the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association

All of workers in the business department of the Kesen Fish Market, the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association

The damage of the fishing industry caused by the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake has taken the lives of not only fishermen but also many people, including wholesalers, processors, storage, delivery, retailers, and restaurants and accommodations such as hotels. The situation in which the recovery of the fishing industry from the damage has been a serious blow to the region as well.
However, the fish market of the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association achieved full operation in October 2012. It was an unprecedented speed. The support from the International Cooperation NGO World Vision Japan has made the full-scale operation possible. In the work of the fishing industry, the distribution of fresh fish is a small piece of their tasks, yet many of them are keeping fresh fish in the freezer and distributing the processed food with increasing the additional value. If we don't have an ultra-low-temperature cryopreservation refrigerator or an ice-making plant to store or transport the fish, it is impossible to operate the fish market. Even though the fish market of the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association wanted to receive a grant to rebuild the damaged facilities but they were unable to come up with their basic minmum amount to receive the grant.
The support of World Vision Japan, which is operated with donations from abroad, has given a hope to the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Association, which has no prospect of reconstruction. At the same time, there was a strong responsibility to reconstruct and rebuild the fishing industry as soon as possible for areas severely damaged by the tsunami and fire among the people of the Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Fish Market who were also victims of the disaster for the areas severely damaged by the tsunami and fire. Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Fish Market is supporting and donating to the project to support children of the World Vision Japan now.

Address: 8-25 Fish Market-mae in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture

Website: Kesennuma Fisheries Cooperative Fish Market
http://www.kesennuma-gyokyou.or.jp/