Five Things I Gained by Participating in the “RockCorps supported by JT” Volunteer Activities in Fukushima

Hello.
I am Yamashita from the Public Relations Department.

We are finally able to hold “RockCorps” in Japan in 2014, a project that our company has been working on for about three years (click here for a message from our President).

Photo from the event held in the United States (Lady Gaga)

The project in Japan is filled with the passion of many stakeholders, including our special sponsor JT, our co-host Fukushima Prefecture, and various host organizations.

Within SUNNY SIDE UP, a “RockCorps Team” has been formed by volunteer employees with such strong passion from across various departments. As the “Celebration” live event draws near, the number of meetings held in English within the company is increasing, and volunteer activities are being conducted in our conference rooms, giving the office an even stronger RockCorps atmosphere.

“RockCorps supported by JT” is a social contribution event where participants can attend a music event featuring popular artists by completing four or more hours of volunteer work. To date, more than 140,000 people in nine countries worldwide have participated, contributing a total of over 560,000 hours of volunteer work to local communities.

2014The first event in Japan was announced in April. The “Celebration” live event, featuring NE-YO, Kobukuro, May J., and flumpool, is scheduled for Saturday, September 6.
http://rockcorps.yahoo.co.jp/2014/about/index.html

As this is a business project the company is focusing on, many employees participate in the volunteer activities during their private time.
I also went to Fukushima last month to participate in a volunteer event, so I will post about my experience there!

Together with a friend, I helped with “organic cotton cultivation” organized by the NPO “The People” in Iwaki City, Fukushima.

Before going, I only knew about the current situation in Fukushima through the news, and I spent my days vaguely wondering if I should do something or what I could possibly do. By actually participating in volunteer work on-site, I realized that there is still a significant shortage of manpower for reconstruction support, and I became aware of the sense of crisis among local residents and the issue of abandoned farmland.

It is important to both seriously consider how one can contribute to society and to work cheerfully and enjoyably!
In RockCorps, you receive a concert ticket after completing your volunteer work. I would like to introduce five things I gained other than the ticket, and I hope this will be helpful to you.

1. A Cleansed Spirit

There is so much greenery that it feels like it’s the only thing in your field of vision. The scenery, the mountains, the fields, the seasonal plants, and the scent of the soil… Plus, there is background music provided by the chirping of birds. I truly felt what it means for the air to be “delicious”! All five senses are stimulated.

The stress accumulated from living in a capitalist society based on the principle of competition was relieved. My “dark” heart, which had become completely weary (?) from my daily life as a working professional, was purified. (Laughs)

2. Companions

Everyone together!

As you can see, a wide variety of people participate in the volunteer activities. They vary in age and gender. This time, about 40 people participated, including a couple in their first year of marriage, a woman looking for a wife for her son, a female college student who loves festivals, and someone researching plastic wrap. About half of the participants were from the Kanto region.

After the volunteer work, we took photos together and exchanged LINE contact information. Since our relationship continues, I am looking forward to seeing them again at the main event! We promised to come back and help with the field work again in the future. It feels like I’ve found a second home… I will continue to cherish these companions and this place.

3. Knowledge of Agriculture

At the volunteer site, there were farmers and local residents who guided us, so I was able to hear many different stories. The field where we worked had apparently been left abandoned because rice could not be grown there due to the tsunami. However, they learned that “cotton,” which is resistant to salt damage, could be grown, and so they are cultivating organic cotton! After returning home, I looked into it and found that abandoned farmland, such as “degraded rice paddies” where rice is no longer grown, is increasing throughout Japan, even for reasons other than the tsunami. By seeing it with my own eyes and tilling the soil, I caught a glimpse of the state of Japanese agriculture. I can now understand the agriculture-related news that appears in the newspapers every day a little more deeply.

4. A Date Plan in Fukushima

While many people participated in the volunteer work from Tokyo or other distant areas, there were also many participants from the local community. While we were eating during the lunch break, a local resident told me about some recommended spots.

Iwaki Onsen, a hot spring town in Fukushima.

It takes about two hours from Ueno Station. I was surprised that it was closer and easier to get to than I expected. Yumoto Station is also the nearest station to “Spa Resort Hawaiians,” which is famous for the Hula Girls.
When I asked about other recommended spots…
They introduced “Aquamarine Fukushima,” a place where locals often go on dates.

Next time, I’ve decided to find a partner, take a relaxing train ride while eating a station bento, visit “Aquamarine Fukushima,” get off at Yumoto Station, and soak in the hot springs! (Laughs)

This is the recommended souvenir I was told about.

Mamador

It was delicious, and it was very well-received when I handed it out at the office♪

5. Delicious Beer!

Of course, I enjoyed a beer on the train ride home! Beer after working in the fields, sweating under the sun, is exceptional! It is delicious!!

I heard from a farmer that when the fields were neglected and they weren’t doing farm work, their physical condition worsened. I reaffirmed that it is important for humans to move their bodies and feel nature within its natural cycles.

Regarding the Reconstruction of Tohoku

How was it?

Drenched in sweat…

I have focused on the enjoyable aspects, but when looking at the “reconstruction” part, I feel that I have still only seen the surface.
I only tilled the fields for a few hours… what I did might not have contributed to the reconstruction support at all. However, when many people provide such “a little help,” it becomes “a lot of help.”
RockCorps is truly amazing for informing and mobilizing so many people so that even small activities can contribute to reconstruction support, step by step!

RockCorps supported by JT has various other volunteer events, and they are currently seeking volunteers.
You can check available volunteer events in real-time on Twitter @RockCorpsJapan, so please follow them!