Embassy of Japan in Israel שגרירות יפן בישראל

High School Cultural Festival in Fukushima: A Message from Fukushima

One scene in "A Message from Fukushima" At a grand opening ceremony of the 35th All Japan High School Cultural Festival (Fukushima Sobun) held at the Aizu Fugado hall in Aizu-Wakamatsu City,
Fukushima Prefecture, on August 4, 2011, high school students in Fukushima performed a "component drama" titled
"A Message from Fukushima" as a curtain raiser presented by the host prefecture.

The drama drew loud applause as it depicted "Fukushima now" by capturing changes of heart and images of growth among high school students who experienced an unprecedented disaster.
Another reason for the enthusiastic response was the display of their youthful energy and the spirit of Fukushima and their resolve for reconstruction to overcome difficulties and open the way for the future to domestic and international audience.

A line in the drama was quoted by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in his policy speech at the 178th Diet session in September 2011. The line went: "To be born in Fukushima, grow up in Fukushima, and work in Fukushima.
To get married in Fukushima, have children in Fukushima and bring up those children in Fukushima.
To see our grandchildren in Fukushima, to see our great-grandchildren in Fukushima and to end our days in Fukushima.
That is our dream." Most of the lines in the drama reflected the thoughts of about 100 high school students in Fukushima, including members of the students' festival executive committee, based on their experiences since the disaster.

You can view the drama with English subtitles on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpQkIhaTNXw

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Embassy of Japan in Israel