Fifteen years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. A boy whose father went missing in the tsunami shared his feelings for his father and thoughts on disaster preparedness after all these years.

Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture suffered devastating damage from the disaster.

After the earthquake, the town was surrounded by a 12-meter-high seawall. Even now, numerous disaster remains are preserved to convey the terror of the catastrophe.

Rinnosuke Yoshida (29) runs a farm in Rikuzentakata City. The first time we met him was in Nagoya 15 years ago.

At that time, Nagoya City raised donations from citizens to invite junior high school students who couldn’t go on school trips due to the disaster, offering a three-day, two-night trip to Nagoya. Yoshida was among them.

Yoshida, the ace of his baseball club, was tasked with throwing the ceremonial first pitch at Nagoya Dome.

“I want to aim for a professional career and stand on this field,” he said at the time.

Now, Yoshida is…

Rikuzentakata City

Rikuzentakata City, located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, is known for its stunning coastline and the iconic “Miracle Pine,” a single pine tree that survived the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami. The city was nearly destroyed by the disaster, but has since undergone extensive reconstruction and redevelopment, symbolizing resilience and recovery. Today, it features memorial sites, a rebuilt coastline, and the Rikuzentakata City Museum, which preserves the history of the tragedy and the region’s cultural heritage.

Iwate Prefecture

Iwate Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan’s Honshu island, is known for its rich natural landscapes and historical significance. It was historically part of the Mutsu Province and played a key role in the development of samurai culture, with sites like Hiraizumi—a UNESCO World Heritage site—showcasing the region’s Buddhist heritage from the 12th century. Today, Iwate is also famous for its rugged coastline, hot springs, and the iconic Mount Iwate, while preserving traditions like the Sansa Odori dance.

Nagoya

Nagoya is a major industrial and cultural hub in Japan, historically known as the seat of the powerful Owari branch of the Tokugawa clan during the Edo period. Its most famous landmark, Nagoya Castle, was built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu to secure a key strategic post, though it was largely destroyed in World War II and later reconstructed. Today, the city blends its samurai-era heritage with modern attractions like the Nagoya Port Aquarium and thriving automotive industries.

Nagoya City

Nagoya City is a major industrial and cultural hub in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, with a history rooted in the powerful Owari domain during the Edo period. The city is famous for Nagoya Castle, built in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and it played a key role in Japan’s post-war economic growth as a center for manufacturing, notably automotive and aerospace industries. Today, it blends historic landmarks with modern urban life, offering attractions like the Nagoya City Science Museum and the historic Osu Kannon Temple.

Nagoya Dome

Nagoya Dome is a large baseball stadium located in Nagoya, Japan, and serves as the home field for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. Opened in 1997, it was the first dome stadium in Japan to feature a natural grass field, a design that was later changed to artificial turf. The venue has also hosted major events beyond baseball, including concerts and professional wrestling matches.