Hands On Tokyo

Project Summary

These destructive events killed nearly 20,000 people and triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years when the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear plant was destroyed, leaking radiation into the sea and air. ICAP funds helped the charity to build the O-Link House community centre in Ogatsu; one of the hardest hit rural areas affected by the disaster.

Prior to these calamitous events, Ogatsu had a population of 7,000 people. The tsunami led to 400 deaths in this community and many of the survivors have since relocated as the vital infrastructure of the town was washed away. Today, Ogatsu is home to just 900 survivors.

With the mobilisation of 150 volunteers, Hands On Tokyo led the creation of its first newly constructed building in the area. The completed O-Link House has had a tremendous impact on the community. The O-Link House includes a café and library, a space for the preservation of industry and traditional culture (fishing and ink-stone handcrafts), and a study and recreation space for all ages of people who live in and around Ogatsu.

Guests celebrated the opening of the Community Centre in April this year and were treated to regional delicacies catered by local residents while enjoying special cultural performances. Hands On Tokyo is committed to the long-term support of survivors and will continue to develop and implement volunteer-driven programmes that utilize this precious resource in Ogatsu.

Hands On Tokyo serves as a bilingual volunteer portal to connect individuals and groups to meaningful volunteer service opportunities in Tokyo and the Tohoku region. The charity is committed to increasing the number of volunteer activities available across the whole of Japan and collaborates with many local organisations to help senior citizens, revitalize playgrounds, deliver food to the hungry, support people with visual impairment, and inspire children in children’s homes as well as many other life changing projects.