Learning Programs

ラーニングプログラム

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On that day, faced with a natural threat completely beyond human understanding, how did the people of Minamisanriku act? If you had been in their shoes, how would you have made decisions and taken action?

In the Learning Program, you will think about natural disasters from your own perspective. It is the main content of the MINAMISANRIKU 311 Memorial.
You will watch the firsthand accounts of town residents, think about what you would have done in the same situations, and discuss your thoughts with the people around you.

ラーニングシアター

  • PROGRAM 1

    An Evacuation That Became Matter of Life or Death

    Regular Program

    Minamisanriku has suffered from repeated damage by tsunamis. In preparation for future tsunamis, the residents of Minamisanriku held regular community-wide evacuation drills based on predetermined disaster-prevention plans. Despite these efforts, however, many people lost their lives in the tsunami that far exceeded our estimation. The program will bring you new understandings and discoveries from the accounts of residents who were faced with life-and-death situations on that day, about the actions people took, as well as how they spent that frigid night when all communication with the outside world was cut off, along with discussions with other participants about the ultimate preparation that can be made to protect lives in natural disasters.
    Venue：Learning Theater
    Duration：About 60 minutes, including the time to see the paid exhibition area

    *This program will be conducted with the Disaster Prevention Mini-Book, which will be distributed to participants. Please bring the mini-book back home with you for everyday disaster-prevention practice at home.
    *Short programs, which are excerpts of the Regular Program for smaller topics, with a duration of about 30 minutes (including the time to see the paid exhibition area).For visitors who are short on time, we recommend checking the screening times of the short programs before your visit.

    chapter 1 " Evacuation;Life and Death "
    "Evacuate to higher ground" or "evacuate to the rooftop"? What were the two years of debate among teachers regarding the evacuation plan for elementary schools and the decisions made on March 11? We ponder what we should do to protect lives.
    chapter 2 " Protecting the Lives of Survivors "
    In the darkness of the conference room on the 5th floor of the public Shizugawa Hospital, and atop the rooftop chilled by the freezing cold of a funeral parlor, residents endured nights repeatedly besieged by tsunamis. Who provided encouragement to people in such extreme conditions? We contemplate what can be done amidst adversity.
    chapter 3 " Townspeople Helping Each Other "
    When the disaster struck, inland residents immediately initiated relief efforts. Amidst the disruption of lifelines, we ponder why such swift action was possible.

  • PROGRAM 2

    When the Time Comes, Will You Be Able to Protect Your Life?

    Regular Program

    During the Great East Japan Earthquake, many municipally designated evacuation sites were struck by the tsunami. When a natural disaster such as a tsunami occurs, you may be faced with situations you have never imagined before. Simply following evacuation plans and drills may not be enough to ensure survival. On that day, residents encountered unexpected situations where they were forced to make life-and-death decisions. From their firsthand accounts, you will learn that keeping yourselves safe is not as straightforward as it might seem in our minds. Through dialogue with the others, the program will invite you to seek the essence of what it means to save lives from a natural disaster, thinking in terms of your own community and environment.
    Venue：Learning Theater
    Duration：About 60 minutes, including the time to see the paid exhibition area

    *This program will be conducted with the Disaster Prevention Mini-Book, which will be distributed to participants. Please bring the mini-book back home with you for everyday disaster-prevention practice at home.
    *Short programs, which are excerpts of the Regular Program for smaller topics, with a duration of about 30 minutes (including the time to see the paid exhibition area).For visitors who are short on time, we recommend checking the screening times of the short programs before your visit.

    chapter 1 " Protecting Life "
    Natural disasters bring about unexpected circumstances. On that day when a tsunami struck the hilltop middle school designated as an evacuation site, what were the thoughts and actions of the students? We reflect on what we should always keep in mind to respond to unforeseen situations.
    chapter 2 " All the Hard Training Was for That Day "
    Why were local residents and middle school students able to rescue the firefighter who drifted at sea for over three hours? Should we venture into danger to rescue others? We discuss and contemplate about preparations to protect lives.

  • PROGRAM 3

    Reflecting on Life

    Regular Program

    After losing much in natural disasters, the residents of Minamisanriku have been contemplating "life." This new program enlightens us to the fact that contemplating life leads to the power and resilience to move forward, even amidst adversity. Through this program, we learn that the sense of security of being with everyone at evacuation sites can sometimes dull the ability to perceive danger. We also listen to the testimonies of elementary and middle school students and fishermen from that time, understanding how they have lived after the disaster. Learning about the process of rising from the depths of sorrow and despair after losing loved ones, we contemplate not only during disasters but also in everyday life, what humans should cherish and live for.
    Venue：Learning Theater
    Duration：About 60 minutes, including the time to see the paid exhibition area

    *This program will be conducted with the Disaster Prevention Mini-Book, which will be distributed to participants. Please bring the mini-book back home with you for everyday disaster-prevention practice at home.
    *Short programs, which are excerpts of the Regular Program for smaller topics, with a duration of about 30 minutes (including the time to see the paid exhibition area).For visitors who are short on time, we recommend checking the screening times of the short programs before your visit.

    chapter 1 " Relief and Safety "
    What are the pitfalls of evacuation experienced by those who evacuated early to welfare centers and facility staff who were preparing for shelter operations according to manuals? We contemplate about evacuation to protect lives.
    chapter 2 " Thinking about what it means to be alive:Children and the Great East Japan Earthquake "
    How did children feel about the disaster at the time, and how have they lived since then? From the words of young people, we reflect on the value of being able to live an ordinary daily life, believing that "people can live strongly no matter how difficult things may be."
    chapter 3 " Building up from Zero "
    The fishermen of Togura, who lost everything, engaged in daily discussions and stepped into unprecedented challenges. Now they are the top runners in the fishing industry. We contemplate the regional strength that revitalized the "life" of the sea and the local community. What is nature? What is humanity? Through the testimonies of fishermen, we reflect on our existence as human beings.

  • PROGRAM 4

    A Simple Workshop for Coming Up with and Taking Home “1 Action for Disaster Prevention” to Start Implementing Today: Using Minamisanriku as a Case Study (School Edition)

    When a disaster occurs, schools need to expect that they will become evacuation centers for the community. Both teachers and students will live in an evacuation center together with members of the local community. How can schools make use of the systems they have in place, and what roles can students play? In this program, participants will watch video accounts of residents who were students and teachers affected at their schools during the disaster. Then participants are invited to collaborate in developing a disaster-prevention action plan that can be actually implemented right away at their offices or homes.
    Venue：Minamisanriku Portal Center, etc.
    Duration：About 50 minutes

    The program will be conducted by using a distributed worksheet. Please take the worksheet home and utilize it for your everyday disaster-prevention practice.

  • PROGRAM 5

    A Simple Workshop for Coming Up with and Taking Home “1 Action for Disaster Prevention” to Start Implementing from Today: Using Minamisanriku as a Case Study (Standard Edition)

    Natural disasters can happen anywhere, at any time, and under any circumstances. You may be faced with situations that would be unthinkable in daily life, such as being unable to use your cell phone or being unable to return to your home after it is struck by a disaster. In this program, participants will watch video accounts of residents who were unable to contact their family members during the disaster. Then, they will discuss what they can do, not only to protect themselves but also to confirm the safety of their family members. Participants will come up with disaster-prevention action plan that they can take home and implement individually and with their families.
    Venue：Minamisanriku Portal Center, etc.
    Duration：About 50 minutes

    The program will be conducted by using a distributed worksheet. Please take the worksheet home and utilize it for your everyday disaster-prevention practice.