The Japanese city of Ishinomaki, with a population of 140,000 people, was one of the worst affected areas following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. More than 3000 people died after 46% of the city was inundated by several tsunami, each up to 10m high.
In this episode, Andrew and Josh travel to Ishinomaki to meet with Richard Halberstadt, Director of the Kadowaki Elementary School ruins, a museum recently opened to share the story of the tsunami and the damage in this local area. Much of the school building remains just as it did on the day of the earthquake – which was followed by a fire and then the impact of the tsunami.
Richard was an Associate Professor at Ishinomaki Senshu University at the time of the earthquake, and weโll be asking him what happened on that afternoon that changed Japan forever and how this disaster has changed the countryโs approach to future disasters.
Ishinomaki now stands behind a significant concrete seawall – which provides protection from future tsunami at the cost of local amenity. We’ll be asking Richard about this during the episode.
Learn more about the Kadowaki Elementary School Ruins here >
Podcast: Play in new window
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | RSS | More
