A Bond from a Single Boat

Takanori Obayashi runs a community energy company in Rikuzentakata, but his work once looked very different. After the 2011 tsunami, he was a city hall staff member helping manage the city’s international ties—most notably, its connection with Crescent City, California.

“This connection with Crescent City started when Takata High School’s boat washed ashore there after the tsunami,” he explained. “At that time, I was working at city hall, handling interactions with Crescent City. I would travel back and forth between the two cities.”

What began as a coincidence soon became a lasting exchange. Over the years, students and officials have visited each other’s communities, participating in cultural events and building personal bonds. But keeping that connection strong hasn’t always been easy.

“Sister city relationships don’t last forever on their own,” he said. “When the first exchange started, the mayor at that time, as well as the mayor on their side, played key roles. As long as those key people were involved, the exchange was active and thriving.”

Obayashi believes the relationship deserves more than that. “Since this connection was formed through such an incredible miracle, we felt it was important to keep it going for the long term.” Even as leadership changes on both sides, he emphasized that “the people who can stay consistently involved are those outside the government.”

To help support the exchange beyond city officials, a new friendship association was founded last year. “We started a friendship association to make sure the exchange doesn’t just depend on city officials, but is supported by ordinary people, too.”

That spirit of people-to-people connection showed clearly in the most recent visit. “In July, a group of high school students from Crescent City visited Rikuzentakata. Instead of just giving them a formal tour, we held a welcome party where they could meet local people, share personal stories, and see what life here is really like.”

The connection continues to grow. “In January, students from Takata High School are visiting them. We wanted them to bring something meaningful from Rikuzentakata, so we started a project.” He smiled as he added, “Locals here wrote message cards for the students in Crescent City so that those who can’t travel can still take part in the exchange.”