Learning Programs

ラーニングプログラム

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.

    Short program A " Evacuation;Life and Death "
    Asokawa Atsushi: decision-making at an elementary school, which was a designated evacuation site; evacuation to high ground or a rooftop?
    Short program B " Protecting the Lives of Survivors "
    Matsuno Mieko: on the rooftop of Shizugawa Hospital with snow falling, what kept Ms. Matsuno going?
    Takahashi Rika: on the rooftop of Takano Hall, where more than 300 elderly people had evacuated to, what did she witness?
    Short program C " Townspeople Helping Each Other "
    Onodera Hiroshi: on that night when everyone was shivering with cold and terror, what warmed people’s bodies and hearts?

  • 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.

    Short program A " Protecting Life "
    Onodera Sho and Miura Takahiro: how things unfolded on that day, at the junior high school, which was supposed to be a safe, municipally designated evacuation site.
    Short program B " All the Hard Training Was for That Day "
    Shuto Daichi: on March 11, when a school student saw a tsunami rushing toward a nursing facility for elderly people, what actions did he take?

  • PROGRAM 3

    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 4

    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.