Visiting Okawa Elementary School and listening to the local storyteller recount the heartbreaking story left a lasting impact on me that I will remember for the rest of my life. The disaster that impacted this school stands as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness in schools in Japan and across the world. Located in Ishinomaki, Okawa Elementary School was impacted devastatingly by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11, 2011. Among the thousands of lives that this natural disaster claimed, 84 people, 74 students and 10 teachers, were unable to evacuate in time despite the warnings given 51 minutes ahead. The culprit was the lack of detail in protocol and the prolonged discussions between the staff members about the vague evacuation plan.
Listening to the local storyteller narrate the events surrounding the Okawa Elementary School disaster while being on site at those very places along with the before and after pictures that she displayed was an immersive experience like none other. The vivid storytelling that included the perspective of teachers, children, and the local witness encapsulated their fear, chaos, and loss experienced by the washed-up community on that fateful day. A loss that is still felt by the community for years to come.
At the site, there were many other visitors that treaded the site of loss learning about the tragedy like us. I could only imagine their situation if they had personal connections to this tragedy. It was so tragic to hear that even after the event, it was hard for the parents to figure out what actually happened. Not only did they have to deal with grief, but also fight for justice to figure out what actually happened. At the end, when the storyteller revealed that she lost her son who waited for her return, it really made me think of my family. I told my loved ones that very night about my experience and the important takeaway she told us: never wait to evacuate and look out for yourself before others. This way we can ensure that our loved ones count on us to look after ourselves so we all can be safe.
Overall, although this tragic event resulted in many lost lives, I was glad to see that a memorial and a guest center was built around the school to honor their lives and shed light on the devastating impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities, specifically children in this case. It also prompted the Japanese government to re-evaluate its disaster preparedness and response strategies, which included more investment into and development of new measures to better protect schools and other critical infrastructure for future natural disasters.
May the memory of Okawa Elementary School endure as a symbol of both remembrance, hope, and commitment to ensure it never happens again.
