Japan rebuilt a city wiped out by the tsunami, but it hasn't healed

CBS News' Lucy Craft visited Rikuzen-Takata, which was completely rebuilt on a man-made hill to protect it from future killer waves, but she found that many residents are still to overwhelmed by "collective grief" 10 years after the triple disaster to face a future in the new city.
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[@Patty.29]

We Never FORGET. NEVER. BLESS you All.

[@DMEseter]

Sending love to these gorgeous people

[@hilove5658]

The exhaustion is debilitating. I admire the strength to rebuild. The challenge to rise up after a travesty is greatly admired. My heart hurts for lives lost. Japan has very very good people. One can not fall in love with the culture and the people. Look after one another. Very considerate of each other. Have not met I person from Japan I do not hold dearly in my heart.

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

That 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown was something out of a sci-fi horror movie. I’m glad Japan had recovered mostly but the emotional scars remain.

[@masterjedi9151]

That was a bad tsunami.

[@lohphat]

Other than any historical building, most Japanese homes are less than 50 years old. Unlike other places, Japan depreciate new residential buildings over 30 years -- you don't buy property to have it increase in value. You're expected to build new after a building runs out the depreciation clock. This allows building codes to take hold more quickly over time as construction materials improve.

[@SouthwesternEagle]

I know that they rebuild every 30 years, but I didn't know why. What happens if your home is 65 years old? Would you be able to sell it, or would you be stuck with it, or would you be forced to dismantle it and build anew? I'm really curious.

[@thastayapongsak4422]

@@SouthwesternEagle If you can make it up to new standards, and are willing to sell at lower prices, then I think you can.

[@Indrid__Cold]

A really hard hitting description of the lasting effects of this enormous disaster. I look at the videos and wonder if there is ever a night in that city where someone doesn't jolt awake screaming from a remembered nightmare. The loss of so many who suffered terrible deaths must make healing an extremely slow process.

[@janecrawford3369]

It’s sad to see a beautiful country be destroyed prayers to the all 🙏😷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😢

[@MihadAlzayat]

I love Japan

[@FloridaMan69.]

I love Africa

[@MihadAlzayat]

@@FloridaMan69. I love Florida

[@sandyhobo2053]

I love Ireland.

[@MihadAlzayat]

@@sandyhobo2053 I love Sandy

[@sandyhobo2053]

@@MihadAlzayat thanks. Love makes the world go round.

[@tiffmonique7154]

This is amazing!

[@Inatsikap]

such resilience and to rebuild better stronger! Amazing Japan!

[@hebneh]

This is the same process the city of Hilo, Hawaii went through decades ago. Two very large tsunamis that occurred 14 years apart (1946 and 1960) devastated much of the city and killed hundreds. After the first one, most of the shoreline was cleared and turned into a park; after 1960 a much larger area was condemned and permanently cleared of all buildings and turned into a very big park. One section was raised by landfill and government buildings were constructed there. Yet just like Rikuzentakata, Hilo has survived but not grown dramatically in the last 60 years, particularly compared to other locations in Hawaii.

[@Kiwionwing]

My heart goes to them ❤️

[@N_I_T_Y_A]

OMG...Most Scary!!! Gives chills and goosebumps...!!! Time does heals just when right time comes...

[@brucemattes5015]

When I first started watching the eyewitness video accounts of the 2011 Japanese tsunami on KZbin, several thoughts came to mind. First was that many of those responsible for filming the videos had witnessed people dying from drowning as the flood waters rushed into villages, towns, and cities. Second, was that there must be enormous individual PTSD which collectively had to beyond the ordinary scale of psychiatric measurement. Third, was that the sheer volume of the debris left over when the ocean finally receded, and things started to dry out, was going to dwarf anything seen in the historical past. Compared to the remnants of the destruction wrought by WWII, the tsunami debris would be exponentially greater due to the amount of modern materials that are not biodegradable.

[@LonghornsLegend]

Those videos are still shocking to me

[@claireconover]

wow.

[@catythatzall4now]

4:17 she says something extremely smart

[@meooowww3672]

Right!!

[@darktoadone5068]

That city was hit the worst from what I have read about it.

[@DriverGuy23]

So, the tsunami was 40 meters high, but they only raised the town 30ft, sounds legit.

[@hebneh]

Don't forget this raised portion is a considerable distance inland. All the area nearest the ocean has been permanently cleared of anything that's not industrial which needs to be near the harbor. So nobody lives in the danger area anymore, or so it's hoped.

[@ominusomega7803]

The rest of the world: Builds sea walls The Dutch: And they said we were crazy

[@brianchar-bow3273]

The history of Japan is very old, about 2,000 years since the Emperor's reign, but humans began to live in villages and communities in this island nation about 14,000 years ago, during “the JOMON pottery” culture The word "NIPPON(Japan)" means the land under the sun, but another name is "WA"koku or "YAMATO koku," meaning “Harmony among People and Nature”. Japan name means “the Land under the Sun”and” the Land of "Great Harmony of People and Nature,” Surrounded by the sea on all four sides, geographically isolated from Eurasia continent in the Pacific Ocean this island nation has a warm and humid climate and is blessed with abundant clear water resources, a variety of plants, and fishery resources. Since ancient times, people have lived peacefully with nature. They have respected harmony, lived peacefully in groups, and overcome many severe natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and typhoons, with each other in groups based on their wisdom and have enjoyed the blessings of nature by cooperating. The name of the ancient Japanese nation of "YAMATO" or "WA" reflects the wishes and realities of the people to live and to survive in this natural environment of the island nation that differs from that of the Eurasia continent. And in the names of the ancient countries, the essence and secrets of Japan are hidden. “A peaceful environment can only be built through mutual give and take, each other.” One for all, all for one, the sprits of OTAGAI-SAMA, TASUKEAI (help each other, everyone)". ”In times of trouble, we are here ,help for each other.”（Komatta Toki ha Otagaisama) In public places where everyone gathers, everyone should act in a way that “Do not disturb others.“ If all participants can act in a way perfectly that “you do not cause trouble to others," that is, at the same time, it will create an environment in which “No one cause trouble to you” The same is true if we substitute the phrase "everyone always help others in need.” If everyone does this completely, at the same time, it will create a social situation in which "When you are in trouble, someone will help you.” ( could help each other, everyone) This is a very rational group wisdom to live in peace with each other. This is not for the sake of any particular person, but in order “to live equally comfortably” with each other, the obligation to act for the peace of mind of "all participants with each other" also arises. This is because Japanese have been taught through their childhood “shitsuke- education” that this is an ancient teaching, a tradition, and “a natural duty of adults.” It is a teaching and a rule of life that has been handed down in this island nation since ancient times. They have lived collectively in their island nation's environment for more than 14,000 years, and this has given them the wisdom of life to survive in that specific environment, which is condensed in the traditional Japanese teachings. Why do Japanese people insist on maintaining a clean environment to an unusual degree? Why do they place the highest priority on "not bothering others" in public places? The Japanese have learned that they must survive at the mercy of nature, which has two faces, light and dark. People who have lived in a humid island natural environment, which is completely different from the dry and stable continental natural environment, have had to survive in this environment. That is why they have accepted both the light and dark aspects of this environment without denying it, and have recognized themselves as part of the natural environment, and have used their wisdom and ingenuity to structure their society and survive. The uniqueness that distinguishes Japan from other countries and the ingenuity of its past that can be seen in every part of the country have been cultivated on this land long before modernization and passed down to the present day. The warm and humid climate is a breeding paradise not only for humans but also for many other organisms, microorganisms and bacteria. So it is also an environment where toxic bacteria can easily multiply if not kept clean with constant attention to cleanliness and freshness. Outbreaks of infectious diseases can be the cause of a community's downfall. And when a Large-scale　natural disaster strikes, the first priority is to recover from the disaster by suppressing individual desires and selfishness　and working together in unison to achieve a quick recovery and rebuilding of lives for each other. These have been regarded since ancient times as rational and efficient practical thoughts for coexistence. (Japan's rapid postwar economic recovery may have been due in affect to this ancient teaching was ingrained in its traditions.) This is neither so-called Western individualism nor totalitarianism, nor is it an Asian way of thinking.　 It is a way of life that is rational and adapted to the natural environment. It can be called hybridism, in which social cooperation and individual freedom coexist　at same time, which is unique to Japan. It is an evolution and inheritance of the wisdom of ancient people who, without science, technology, or knowledge, prioritized mutual cooperation to ensure the survival of all members of a community for as long as possible. If we cannot recognize this essence, we will never understand why only Japanese culture is unique in Asia and around the world.

[@Og-Judy]

I see heartbreaking comments on videos that the earthquake and tsunami were karma payback for Japan bombing Pearl Harbor. By 2011, 70 years had passed when the catastrophe happened. Very few elderly who were involved with the war would have been alive in 2011 to meet Karma. Thousands who perished had nothing to do with WWII at all. Just so sad.

[@shastina5493]

As bad as this was, the West Coast US is over due for the subduction of tectonic plates with resulting tsunami as big or bigger than the Japan subduction covered here in this video! They were unaware but the US expected the over due Cascadia Subduction Zone to rip the coast 2 yrs ago and if talked about its brief and minimized. Please do research this especially if you live in the west coast. Its said to be the biggest catastrophe in world history once it hits with a magnitude 9+. Not to scare but hopefully inform those which will be affected and be prepared. Don't take my word for it please research yourself so that you are fully aware and share out! We can save hundreds of thousands or more people. Thanks for reading to this point!

[@MOCOHO-JONNY]

At least they didn’t just rebuild just to get whacked by the next one good for them preemptive measures.

[@傅梅梅-r4f]

今天3月11日了

[@tiktokshorts7356]

Japan would be a great candidate to take Kim Jung Un out.

[@danielbenitez6985]

Hmm.. probably shouldn't build close to the water anymore..

[@faithrada]

Personally... I could not sleep again in an area that had been devastated by a Tsunami.

[@absolutelywiseman556]

GREETINGS FROM POLAND :-)

[@xolanigcaba7875]

That's a valley

[@sloppyname4184]

Was this tsunami recently or is it an anniversary

[@hankterreros223]

Can we now forgive "Gilbert Gottfried"?

[@indexoptions]

I am so 😞

[@mafelkins]

Don't live on those areas near or by the nuke plants

[@nathanphillips1295]

“No it is not” 🙄

[@lmylemuel]

That bites

[@benquinney2]

Boats everywhere

[@LiamLiamLiamLiam4]

make more videos!

[@lindasapiecha2515]

😥❤

[@drinny26]

Why rebuild by the sea if you have to look at a 40 foot high sea wall?

[@MC-ep4rm]

Id rather have the wall and not live in fear of drowning from a tsunami

[@jzesu9889]

Bro, Japan is 80% mountains. The reason why Japanese cities look so dense and compact to begin with is due to the lack of space, and most of the spaces available there are valleys and shorelines with more flat and buildable areas. Also a lot of the local's livelihoods there rely on the sea such as fishing.

[@Body_Model]

I agree the wall is ugiy. I rather look at the water.

[@digitalSixer]

Isn't doing what needs to be done the very idea behind the term resilience? The Japanese ARE strong and resilient? Anything less would be giving up and doing nothing! Thanks for the negativity and victimization of a proud and resilient people, smh.

[@Brandon-ch2ot]

I know it happened very quickly but what about having a nuclear option to off set the water coming in? Again I know it happened extremely fast

[@st.francisanddr.pepper1304]

You think setting off a nuclear bomb to push the water in other directions is a good option? Lol

[@Brandon-ch2ot]

@@st.francisanddr.pepper1304 I was hoping someone would get a laugh outta it lol

[@nelsonta00]

makes one wonder if Japan will still exist in the next 20 or so years because of the rising sea level.

[@danansana7411]

what a terrible story

[@martinplesner8545]

i’m early

[@claireconover]

not that early... quite a few comments preceded you.

[@stumeister6891]

building a city so close to the ocean is just plain silly

[@marlinweekley51]

Humm not sure thats the correct view. The human race over centuries built most of its largest cities along a coast because that was the only method of global travel and commerce. it was absolutely tragic what the Japanese suffered in this calamity. Every time a city is be set with a natural disaster it isnt fair to blame locating the city as silly. Whats to be done for example with the location of Los Angeles (or St Louis) on a major fault? How silly i guess to put Gulf cities like Houston and New Orleans in the gulf where theyll surely be hit by extreme hurricaines? Kudos to these people for building back better and stronger as they deal with so much pain and sorrow.

[@thastayapongsak4422]

Most cities are silly

[@chuck4394]

Meh. No one cares. Whatever. lol XD