The University of Aizu was established in 1993 as Japan’s first specializing solely in computer education and research. The prefectural facility currently has around 1,300 students and 110 teachers, making it the country’s leading computer university. U-AIZU is also unusual in its international character, with its front-line professors coming from various countries and a ratio of foreign teachers close to 40 percent. English is thus the official language, with graduate school courses taught completely in English. U-AIZU has also implemented an active exchange program with major universities and currently has agreements with 53 facilities in 16 countries.

While the university suffered relatively moderate damage to its buildings during the Great East Japan Earthquake, 90 percent of its 70 international students evacuated Aizu and returned to their home countries. Fortunately, almost all of these students have since been able to return. A further five new students from Vietnam also arrived as planned in May 2011, when the university reopened, and a group of Taiwanese who were due in spring began their studies in the fall. This was encouraging news for local people. Immediately after the disaster, U-AIZU had set up the Disaster Recovery Information Office (Drio), which used Google Docs to provide foreign students with daily updates on how to obtain key supplies including food, water and gasoline.

Fukushima is Japan’s third largest prefecture and consists of three main areas: Hamadori, along the coast, Nakadori, in the center, and Aizu, to the west. The tsunami following the March 11 quake devastated Hamadori, while the nuclear disaster badly affected both Hamadori and Nakadori. Although Aizu was hit by a magnitude 5 tremor, direct damage was low. The power supply was also largely uninterrupted with the exception of a few blackouts. This allowed a large number of people from Hamadori to be evacuated to Aizu. The region is also roughly 100 km from the nuclear plant, on the Pacific Ocean side, and is shielded by the Abukuma Highlands and Ou Mountain Range. Due to this, it has suffered only limited effects from radiation.

With recovery plans for Fukushima Prefecture now finalized, the University of Aizu announced in January 2012 that it would establish the University of Aizu Revitalization Center for Fukushima and Tohoku (tentative name). The overall aim of the center is to promote the creation of new industry and employment through both local and international cooperation with major IT companies including NEC, Fujitsu, NTT East Japan and Accenture Japan.

There are currently 23 IT-related companies established via U-AIZU, the highest of any prefectural university, and these ventures are making a significant contribution to local employment. All of these companies are located within cycling distance of Aizu university and are expanding as regional businesses. This has helped to make the Aizu area a central base for the local IT industry. With this as its background, the immediate goals of the center are to contribute to recovery and reconstruction by leveraging its educational and R&D expertise, and to use them to promote the creation of new industry, a pillar of revitalization. The project to establish the center is being implemented in line with the prefectural government’s recovery plans for Fukushima Prefecture. Its main activities will include:

1. IT support for health studies of people in Fukushima Prefecture

U-AIZU will use its expertise in information and communication technologies (ICT) to cooperate on a project with Fukushima Medical University. In the project, the two parties will operate and manage a long-term health study to collect data on two million people in Fukushima.

2. Hands-on training of IT personnel and creation of job opportunities

In September 2011, the university established Aizu Software Linkage Farm (SLF), an IT worker development business designed to lead employment in the area. The program has accepted both those currently working as well as job seekers, and its scope has also been widened to target people in the devastated area with an extended range of skills. To meet the demand from the market, eight venture companies have now joined the project, teaching smartphone and other IT skills. Around 50 people have been attending classes as members of the inaugural course.

3. Industrial recovery using cutting-edge R&D

One of the R&D projects currently underway at U-AIZU involves using an advanced computer model to forecast local weather patterns. This project contributes to the recovery plans for Fukushima Prefecture’s core goals of ensuring prompt disclosure of disaster information, building a forward-looking and resilient community, and harnessing breakthroughs in renewable energy.

As well as providing early forecasting about natural disasters such as torrential rain, heavy snow or typhoons, the new model will be able to forecast data on temperatures, humidity and wind direction using a mesh (area) of just several hundred meters. This is significantly narrower than current forecasting methods. The university is also moving forward with its research on agriculture and environmental conservation in cooperation with organizations including the APEC Climate Center (APCC) in Korea and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).

4. Recovery through educational activities and promotion of student involvement

Immediately after the earthquake, U-AIZU began carrying out volunteer activities with student participation and also using its educational expertise to provide onsite lectures. The themes of the lectures differed from the university’s specialty in ICT and included health consultations with its junior college department through to information on nutrition science. U-AIZU worked to provide lectures that were appropriate for the process of post-disaster recovery and the needs of people in each devastated area.

5. Recovery utilizing the university’s international connections and resources

The Vision for the Revitalization of Fukushima Prefecture is focused on recovery that integrates the power of people who love and care for Fukushima. Since the earthquake, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of inviting young people and researchers from abroad to Japan. With its large number of foreign teachers, U-AIZU has been using its international character to promote educational research, industry and regional exchange.

Rebuilding existing industries and supporting new ones as they grow will be a key part of revitalizing the Tohoku area. While this presents a large number of challenges, the University of Aizu believes its unique cutting-edge IT and R&D will help to tip the scales in the direction of full-scale recovery.

[Web site ] University of Aizu – http://www.u-aizu.ac.jp/e-index.html

According to the field research conducted by the Japanese government, a large part of the radioactive contamination released by the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster has actually been absorbed by fallen leaves and weeds in fields and forests, rather than by soil or water. While there are several options to deal with these substances, no solutions, or even guidelines, for the decontamination of plant debris have been proposed. However, an answer may now be in sight thanks to the work of Dr. Eisaku Katayama.

Dr. Katayama specializes in structural analysis of protein molecules using electron microscopy. He previously worked at the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo before taking up his current position at Chiba University. In his research, Dr. Katayama has become familiar with using mica minerals, which have turned out to be a strong natural adsorbent of radioactive cesium. After learning of the situation in Fukushima, he began to investigate whether these minerals might offer a solution to the problem.

In his first trial, Dr. Katayama collected fallen leaves and weeds from contaminated fields and packed them into container bags. He also sprinkled powdered mica onto them to implement a selective mica-retrieval process recently devised by his collaborator Mr. Isamu Kawakami. The experiment was partly successful, with the exception of a certain cesium fraction that failed to bind with the mica. After further consideration, the pair noticed the presence of some botanical substances that might bind cesium, and finally recognized they were “plant opals,” microscopic silicate-bodies derived from a variety of plants, including rice.

Dr. Katayama believed that most of the plant-attached cesium could be removed if the plant opals were effectively captured with free ions. To test this, in mid-November 2011, he and Mr. Kawakami gathered half a kilogram of contaminated weeds and sealed them in a container to prevent moisture evaporation. After a month, the weeds had decomposed into a rotten pulp, and registered 29,000 becquerels of radioactivity per kilogram.

The pair then loaded the total biomass onto a filter designed to trap both plant opals and released ions. The finest sediment in the filtrate was removed by passing it through a simple coffee filter. Promisingly, no radioactive substances were detected in the final filtrate and further, they observed, in the microscopic field, a large number of plant opals on the filter. From the results, they assumed the cesium was most likely tightly bound to the opals.

While this offers a surprisingly simple and straightforward strategy to deal with heavily contaminated biomass, if plant opals, originally part of a plant body, are released over time, they will become airborne particles and raise air radiation levels, or fall onto the soil, making decontamination much more difficult. For this reason, Dr. Katayama is strongly advising that plant debris should be collected and sealed as early as possible. As decontamination work moves forward in Fukushima and other areas, he has been urging all parties involved to apply his and Mr. Kawakami’s method.

JGAP (Japan Good Agricultural Practice) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to ensure the safety of agricultural products. Its main activities are developing voluntary standards for the certification of farmers and farm groups and also training JGAP trainers. It currently has 320 members including farms, food retailers and other stakeholders in the food and agriculture industries and works with them to maintain standards of best practice.

JGAP first implemented an accredited certification program in 2007 and now works in partnership with the GLOBAL GAP system. The organization directly trains the trainers who perform the checks and issue the two types of JGAP label, introduced in July 2010. The first label can be used by farmers on products such as fruits, vegetables, rice and tea, while the second can be used by food makers on grocery items such as rice, frozen vegetables and beverages produced using ingredients from certified farms.

JGAP inspections are extensive and include 120 points from crop planting through to harvesting. External JGAP trainers examine candidate farms and only award certification if all check points are satisfied. This thoroughness has built a strong reputation for JGAP, both in Japan, where it is recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and also internationally.

1. Comprehensive checks of farm land

JGAP personnel use radiation counters to check the onsite radiation levels of farms. Fields are checked individually to identify those with high radiation levels.

2. Detailed checks of soil in fields with high radiation

Checks are carried out to estimate the expected radiation levels of produce grown in the soil. Each item (vegetables, etc.) has a different absorption rate (transfer from soil to roots to crops) and levels are calculated based on these rates.

3. Random inspections of products ready for shipping

Further checks are performed on harvested items to ensure radiation levels do not exceeded the provisional regulations.

4. Issue of certification for farms that pass all checks

When a farm and its products have satisfied all requirements and safety is assured, the use of the JGAP radioactivity analysis program / confirmed label is approved.

The Fukushima Future Center for Regional Revitalization was set up by Fukushima University as part of its efforts to assist local people and evacuees following the devastating Tohoku earthquake. The national university has been working with cities, towns and villages as well as several NPOs and other organizations to provide voluntary support for sufferers, radiation check-ups in contaminated areas and research on agricultural products, among various other activities.

To further this program, the university created the Fukushima Future Center in early April 2011, specifically to provide scientific analysis and research on the impact of the Great East Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The center works in close cooperation with the prefectural government and consists of four departments operating a total of nine project teams, each addressing a theme included in the Fukushima Revitalization Revision.

The center is currently expanding its operations with funds made available by the Japanese government under its third supplementary budget. This includes continuing to set up its facilities, procure the necessary equipment and hiring its staff. At present, the center is giving particular focus to three of its nine research themes, as follows:

1. Support for devastated areas: This mainly involves efforts to improve the quality of life for people living in evacuation centers and temporary housing. Between September and October 2011, the center conducted a research program in which staff interviewed evacuees in eight villages and towns in Futaba, an area that has largely been designated as a caution zone.

2. Support for industry: In this case, activities include researching the current state of soil contamination caused by radioactive particles and instructing local governments in measurement techniques. The center has also been helping some areas to create detailed soil contamination maps to counteract negative rumors. It is also discussing further measures to prevent such rumors, including agricultural product checks both at the time of shipment and in shops.

3. Support for children: The center is actively conducting research to analyze the social and mental impact of the disaster on children in the devastated area. Working with university student volunteers, it has implemented a care program that includes play activities as well as actual counseling.

While research activities form the core of its operations, the center is also undertaking a variety of practical measures to assist evacuees. In January 2012, it concluded an agreement with eight villages and towns in the Futaba area to provide full-scale support to assist evacuees in returning to their homes. At the same time, it also began to draw up a plan for longer-term rebuilding and revitalization of damaged areas.

Also in January, it used some of the funds from the third supplementary budget to set up a satellite link within the center for radiation countermeasure of minamisoma city. Having this equipment in an area heavily affected by the nuclear disaster will help the center to pursue more practical and realistic support, beyond its research work.

Through these activities, the center plans to keep itself on the frontline of recovery efforts, allowing it to maintain contact with both the people and area. This will be an important factor in developing improved solutions to current problems. The center intends to constantly review its programs so it can provide the best support to help evacuees return home and reconstruct and revitalize the region.

Rising Sun: What convinced you to start the Save Minamisoma Project?

August Hergesheimer: My mother’s home village is Inawashiro in Fukushima and many of my relatives also live in the prefecture. After the earthquake, I heard one of my uncles delivered supplies to Minamisoma City because he knew people there had very little at that time. When I heard this, I really started to think about what I could do myself to help people in the area.

RS: What was it like in Minamisoma City the first time you visited?

AS: There were actually plenty of supplies at evacuation centers in the city. But most people were actually still in their own, often damaged, homes and they weren’t receiving anything. In addition, since the city lies within 35 kilometers of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, there was a severe shortage of volunteers.

RS: When did you start your own relief efforts?

AS: May 3rd was the first day for us to deliver goods. We started out with 13 members including me and one of my employees. I’d like to thank NPO organization Second Harvest Japan for their cooperation. Working with them, we managed to make our first deliveries directly to those residents still living in Minamisoma.

RS: How often have you been able to deliver items since then?

AS: We’ve managed to make deliveries twice a month so that is over 20 runs now. We also host regular charity events to purchase goods and have received a lot of generous donations. The number of people involved in the project has now increased to around 200. They cooperate in the staging of events and also help us to update our Facebook page and Web site.

RS: What is the current situation in Minamisoma City? Are people still suffering from a shortage of goods?

AS: We now deliver supplies to people living in temporary housing there. All lost their own homes either due to the tsunami or forced evacuation from within the 20 kilometer exclusion zone from the nuclear power plant. Most are also farmers or involved in the fishing industry and have therefore lost their land and ability to earn income. Moreover, many are elderly and often living alone in temporary housing. These people deserve our support.

RS: What kind of volume of goods are you delivering?

AS: We average approximately 10 tons of fresh vegetables, canned foods and bottled water delivered to approximately 1,500 to 1,600 residents every month.

RS: What motivates you to carry on this challenging project?

AS: Japanese people are normally very warm and giving. In addition, these farmers and fishermen worked their entire lives to earn an honest living. We strongly believe that they deserve our support during these very difficult times. It is our way to thank them for making Japan such an attractive country to live in. Plus, their smiles and words of gratitude when we visit them are enough to keep us motivated to plan future deliveries.

RS: Are you planning to continue with the project?

AS: Yes, definitely. We will continue until we are no longer needed. But, of course, we hope someday soon the project won’t be necessary. Almost one year has passed since 3/11 and this is a critical moment for the media to return to Fukushima as a major topic.
We are concerned the issue will gradually lose coverage after this. It is frightening to think the disaster and people may be forgotten as time goes by. We are doing everything we can to remind people and maintain a strong interest in the recovery and reconstruction of Fukushima.

Website http://www.saveminamisoma.org/

The project team for the formulation of the Vision for Revitalization in Fukushima Prefecture was in fact established on April 11, just one month after the disaster. There was some discussion that it was too early to begin reconstruction, however, as well as serving as a blueprint for rebuilding, the project has become a rallying point for local people, helping to boost morale. As of January 5, around 61,000 people have been evacuated or moved outside the prefecture, with many eager to return.

To formulate the vision for revitalization, a review committee of 12 outside experts was first established and has so far held six meetings. Unlike in other devastated areas, the nuclear situation has been a key point and creating a policy to deal with this has largely occupied the committee. However, rather than simply focusing on "revitalization," the panel is determined to learn from events and develop a plan that will actually make the prefecture better than before.

Obviously this is no simple task. The nuclear industry was a major Fukushima employer, with around 10,000 people either directly or indirectly on its payroll. Including family members, some 30,000 people previously depended on the industry for their livelihood. However, after adopting a long-term perspective, the committee reached the conclusion that any redevelopment must be independent of the nuclear industry.

After determining this basic stance, the prefecture staged hearings to solicit opinions from the prefecture’s 21 municipalities and then also called for public input. In total, 1,538 submissions from 731 parties were received. These opinions overwhelmingly focused on the three areas of safety and security, environmental recovery and industrial revitalization. After duly considering all information, the prefecture moved to formulate its vision for revitalization.

The 30-person team visited the region from October 30 to November 7 under the leadership of Mr. Shuji Shimizu, vice-president of Fukushima University, who also suggested the original idea. The team represented a cross-section of the groups working to rebuild Fukushima, including university and prefectural government staff, personnel from Minami-soma City and Namie Town, the mayor of Kawauchi village and people from local agricultural and forestry associations, NPOs, etc.

Mr. Shimizu had actually visited Chernobyl 20 years ago to investigate the situation in the area first-hand. However, this recent visit was rather different, with Fukushima residents now the victims of a nuclear accident. This time the focus was on learning what people experienced and how to apply these lessons at home. For this reason, Mr. Shimizu’s proposal called for the participation of a wide range of people including prefectural and local government officials.

Happily, the governments of both Belarus and Ukraine warmly welcomed the group and were well prepared to assist them. With their guides, the Japanese visited the Chernobyl plant itself as well as schools, hospitals and research centers in the affected area. They were also given the opportunity to exchange opinions with local people, including those who were evacuated following the disaster.

According to Mr. Shimizu, he was most struck by the differences in social policy. When Chernobyl occurred, Belarus and Ukraine were still members of the Soviet Union and as all land was state-owned, there were no barriers to relocating people. This evacuation was made easier by the fact the countries still had large areas of unsettled land. In addition, the national governments took responsibility for providing housing and employment in the new locations.

Local approaches to dealing with radiation were very informative. For example, in the village of Kamaryn in Belarus, close to Chernobyl, a school functions as an information center for health management and measurement of radiation in food. This school is equipped with measuring devices and anyone can bring in food to test it. Likewise, the village hospital has measuring devices available so residents can check their own bodies for radiation.

Mr. Shimizu supports adopting a similar approach in Fukushima and has already presented a proposal to the prefectural government. This will allow residents to check their own levels and protect themselves against internal exposure in daily life. Establishing an accurate measurement system will also be a key part of developing an effective agricultural policy during reconstruction.

Both Belarus and Ukraine have complied detailed grid maps of the contamination. As the radiation varies in its level and also type, an accurate assessment is helpful for deciding which land can be safely farmed. This was highly instructional for group members, who realized the most realistic approach is to compartmentalize the area and deal with sections on an individual basis.

The group actually heard that, in some areas, radiation in milk and crops had fallen below the standard level within just four years and farmers were able to resume production. Mr. Shimizu intends to create a similar map for Fukushima. Compared to the situation 25 years ago when Chernobyl occurred, it will be possible to develop a far more accurate and detailed map using GPS and other IT technology.

With the tour proving so valuable, Mr. Shimizu is also working on a plan to arrange a reciprocal visit for Belarus and Ukraine officials. This will help to build a deeper relationship, facilitating continuing exchange. Medical personnel are in fact already in communication and Mr. Shimizu hopes to learn more about health management programs. An initiative to support cooperation between Fukushima University and Belarusian State University is also underway.

While the information received will be of immediate benefit in Fukushima, Mr. Shimizu is also looking to the future. He strongly believes in the importance of consolidating the knowledge related to dealing with nuclear accidents (health management, agricultural regeneration, industrial recovery, government risk management, etc.) gained in Belarus, Ukraine and now Japan and making it available to the rest of the world.

While major progress has been made in the development of photovoltaic generation (PV) technology, it is still largely dependent on changing weather patterns and requires various evaluation devices to improve the performance of solar energy conversion. These devices include DNI (direct normal incidence) sensors, also known as pyrheliometers, which enable the measurement of direct solar radiation.

The theme or challenge for the development of DNI is response time, a critical factor in measurement accuracy, and EKO Instruments has been working to improve this parameter. These efforts have now paid off with the release of EKO’s MS-56, a new sensor incorporating a range of innovations that give it the world’s fastest response time for direct solar irradiance measurement.

Since its establishment in 1970, Kikuchi Seisakusho has become a leader in providing integrated support for “monozukuri,” a term describing the uniquely Japanese approach to manufacturing. The company is active in a wide range of areas from die making and metal injection molding for parts of mobile phones, vehicles and cutting-edge medical devices to press working, processing of magnesium and plastics and sheet metal stamping.