After the tsunami: Japan’s fishing communities look to the future
The earthquake and tsunami of 2011 hit Japan hard. More than a decade on, Euronews travels to the country’s northeastern Tohoku region to find out how fishing communities are bouncing back.
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00:00 The great earthquake and tsunami of 2011 hit Japan hard.
00:07 More than a decade on, thanks to a steely determination, fishing communities all along
00:12 the country's north Pacific coast are bouncing back.
00:17 Welcome to this edition of Focus.
00:22 It's still morning when Masahiro helps unload the catch in the port city of Soma.
00:27 This fourth generation fisherman is proud of his fishing heritage and the fresh produce
00:32 he brings to market.
00:34 Masahiro tell me what's been caught this morning?
00:40 And in terms of the quality, how good is it?
00:52 Located in the north of Fukushima prefecture, fishing has always been Soma's lifeblood.
00:57 And after several difficult years, the sector is getting back on its feet.
01:02 That's thanks in part to the young, diverse workforce here.
01:06 Unlike other parts of Japan, the city and its fishing industry are bucking a national
01:11 demographic trend.
01:13 In addition to his business, Masahiro heads the youth wing of the port's fisheries cooperative.
01:19 At one of their meetings I speak to Itatsu, who explains to me why he's chosen to stay
01:24 in his hometown.
01:44 This food court next to Soma's harbour is typical of most Japanese coastal cities.
01:49 Full of fishy delights, it's a seafood lover's paradise.
01:58 Now we all know the Japanese adore their fish, but when you come to a place like this which
02:02 specialises in fresh local produce direct from the port, it really brings home how popular
02:08 seafood here is.
02:19 Strict monitoring of all the fish caught off Japan's northeast coast has helped restore
02:23 trust in a much-loved national product.
02:27 So what does Masahiro think of the recent decision to release treated water from the
02:31 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant?
02:55 Masahiro in terms of the future, how hopeful are you that the fishing industry here in
03:00 Soma can bounce back?
03:09 Along the coast north of Soma lie the picturesque Urato Islands.
03:16 This is the home of the famous Miyagi oyster.
03:19 When the tsunami struck here in 2011, many of the oyster beds, including those of Haruo,
03:24 were completely swept away.
03:40 And how did you rebuild?
03:42 How did you bounce back?
03:48 For France, it was the return of a favour.
04:04 When its oyster industry was wiped out, it was the seeds from here that helped turn the
04:08 tide.
04:28 Finally it's time to see what all the fuss is about.
04:44 The cultivation of oysters in the Urato Islands goes back generations.
04:49 And just like in Soma, it's thanks to the hard work of people like Haruo that Japan's
04:53 oyster industry has made a comeback.