Documentary Project: Sharing Stories of Disaster and Recovery

December 2024

This winter, I began working on a documentary that explores disaster response and recovery across different regions in Japan. The idea started with a simple goal: to listen to survivors' stories and share them with people outside these communities, especially students in Los Angeles. Over time, the project has grown into something more detailed and intentional.

The documentary focuses on two places: Rikuzentakata in Iwate Prefecture and areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in Ishikawa. Both regions were deeply impacted by natural disasters—Rikuzentakata by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and Ishikawa more recently in 2024. While the events and timelines are different, there are shared themes of loss, resilience, and the ongoing process of rebuilding.

My approach combines interviews, photos, and video footage to highlight destruction, and the continuing efforts of local people. I’m speaking with survivors, volunteers, and community leaders. Their stories will shape the documentary’s core message: that recovery is not just about rebuilding buildings, but also about rebuilding lives, values, and connections.

Some of the people I plan to interview include:

• Survivors who experienced the disaster firsthand

• Volunteers who returned to help their hometown

• Local business owners who restarted in the aftermath

• Children and students who are learning about disaster preparedness in school

  
  

Each person offers a different lens on what it means to move forward. I’ve written personalized questions for each interview to draw out thoughtful reflections—not just about what happened, but about what they’ve learned and what they hope future generations will carry with them.

Beyond just raising awareness, I want this project to start conversations: about how we talk about disasters, how we prepare for the future, and how we support one another across distances and cultures.

This documentary is still in progress, but every interview and conversation I’ve had so far has already taught me something important. I’m excited to keep learning and to share these stories with others.