Protect and take over the blood of Soma
[Testimony] Mr. Motofumi Kikuchi, the advisor of the Youth Department of Soma Futaba Fisherman's Association

Mr. Motofumi Kikuchi, the advisor of the Youth Department of Soma Futaba Fisherman's Association

We could make a living through fishing, here in Soma. In that part, I was proud of it even during the disaster. I was developing new products and promoting PR activities in the metropolitan area since I thought we could restart fishing soon. In the early days, I was laughed at by the surrounding people. But after a while, the young people who were interested in what I was doing came to me. The Fish of Soma is really the blood of Soma, I think. The fish supports the life of Soma city.
Later on, I wanted to do something with the people other than fishery and decided to try and strengthen relationships with those outside of Soma by organizing tours from the metropolitan areas and publishing information magazines. We are trying to create a community of people who can understand our ideas and say, "I would like to eat this because I like its producer" or "I want see him because he is so interesting". We are now developing value-added products in preparation of the fish prices falling after the operation has started.
It is for us and also for the children's future that leads us to protect the "Jouban-mono", which our father and ancestors gave. The power of Soma is just like the power of the traditional culture such as Haragama Kagura. So I want to inherit the culture of Soma which created Jouban-mono. I believe the power of overcoming the nuclear disaster displays the power of our beach. Soma is an area full of energy and power, and I think many good things can happen in such an area.