Fukushima Pref. Holds Tree-Planting Event in Minamisoma

November 5, 2018

Minamisoma, Fukushima Pref.--The prefectural government of Fukushima has held a tree-planting event as part of its project to redevelop a coastal disaster prevention forest in Minamisoma.

Some 3,100 people planted saplings of Japanese black pine and broadleaf trees at the event held Sunday in the northeastern Japan city, wishing for the revitalization of areas hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami as well as fallout from the triple meltdown at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s <9501> crippled Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant.

Kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo XI, who has been involved in tree-planting activities in Nagano Prefecture, took part in the event as a guest. Minamisoma's disaster prevention forest was devastated by the tsunami.

In the redevelopment project, the prefectural government plans to make the new forest about 200 meters wider on average than the original forest that had the average width of 50 meters. Trees of the planned forest are expected to grow around 20 meters tall.

At a ceremony held before the event, Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori noted that planted trees will grow along with progress in Fukushima's reconstruction and growth of children in the prefecture, calling for continued planting efforts.

Hideyuki Goto, a 53-year-old Minamisoma resident, said he set out saplings while hoping for the forest to grow extensively enough to protect the city.

"I want our community to fully recover from the disaster," he added. Jiji Press