Discussing Reconstruction Challenges and Solutions: The 2nd "Michinoku Creative Camp" Held

The second "Michinoku Creative Camp" workshop (hosted by NPO Etic and Michinoku Reconstruction Partners), targeting businesses and organizations in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, was held over two days on January 31st and February 1st in Sendai City. This is part of the "Michinoku Reconstruction Business Partners" platform, where companies collaborate to support local businesses and organizations engaged in reconstruction efforts. Approximately 50 participants attended, including representatives from 11 organizations in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures that are recipients of Etic's "right-hand man" (human resource) dispatch and startup support services, along with corporate representatives. Masahiro Makiguchi, Senior Planning Director at Dentsu Inc., served as facilitator.

Participants discussed challenges and solutions for each organization's projects through group work. Six organizations that participated in the first workshop last July reported on the implementation of solutions proposed six months prior and discussed future challenges and solutions with participating corporate representatives. Gota Matsumura of ISHINOMAKI2.0, a participant, commented on the workshop's outcomes: "Hearing valuable opinions from corporate representatives enabled us to consider concrete solutions." Haruo Miyagi, Representative Director of Etic., stated: "This became a place where people and companies responsible for Tohoku's future could share challenges and learn from each other. We hope this expanding network will accelerate reconstruction."

Michinoku Reconstruction Business Partners is a framework where companies collaborate to support leaders working on reconstruction in disaster-affected areas. Participating companies include Ajinomoto, Kao, Sompo Japan Insurance, Dentsu Inc., Toshiba, and Benesse Holdings (as of February 2014).