JICA Tohoku
Learning the history and development of Tohoku region - To promote the understanding of the local community -

Use the material as an alternative to a study tour for long-term trainees

"History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era" series enable people to learn the development of modern Japan in a short time.

JICA Tohoku has performed the accepting trainees' project in cooperation with related government organizations, local governments, companies, and universities, aiming to share people knowledge and technologies needed in developing countries by utilizing the know-how accumulated in Tohoku region so that people were able to utilize them to solve issues in their own countries.

At this time, we used 3 JICA-Net multimedia-based learning materials as an alternative to a study tour "Local Program" for long-term trainees: "History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Fukushima Prefecture-" (external link), "History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Akita Prefecture-" (external link), and "History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Iwate Prefecture-" (external link).

Effectively utilize the quarantine for COVID-19 when trainees came to Japan

Because it was difficult to conduct the study tour for long-term trainees due to the impact of COVID-19, we considered sharing learning materials through the internet. JICA-Net Library had YouTube Channel, so we thought it would be an easy tool to share the materials.

We shared JICA-Net Library YouTube Channel's URL for more than 50 trainees and recommended them to watch it as a self-learning.

Trainees who came to Japan under the COVID-19 pandemic were required to quarantine in 2 weeks. We told them to watch the materials during the quarantine and received the questionnaires after they watched the materials.

Because YouTube enables trainees to watch the materials at their convenience, we thought they were able to make good use of their quarantine before training.

Japan's progress to modern nation shown in the Tohoku region

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, the reopening of the Hawaiian Center encouraged many people as a symbol of "reconstruction".

Japan, which has walked the path toward a modern nation since the Meiji era, learned the knowledge and technology from foreign countries and developed rapidly by not just imitating the west but by modernizing in its own Japanese way.

"History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era" series focuses on Tohoku region and introduces its history and development with many pictures and videos.

"History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Fukushima Prefecture-" is divided into 3 parts: Aizu City, Koriyama City, and Iwaki City. Each part introduces Nisshinkan where many talented individuals appeared, Asaka Canal that is one of 3 major canals in Japan, and Joban Hawaiian Center that played an important role to change the region's industry from coal mine to tourism.

"History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Akita Prefecture-" picks up Sendai City and Ogata-mura Village, and introduces Tazawa Canal that brings water to the biggest farm belt in Akita Prefecture and Lagoon Hachiro that was built by the great reclamation project. "History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Iwate Prefecture-" introduces Kamaishi City where modern Japanese steel making industry originated and Koiwai Farm that developed barren wilderness into a comprehensive farm.

Deepen understanding of Tohoku region

Kamaishi City of Iwate prefecture, which was the small fishing village, developed as one of Japan's leading industrial cities.

The reactions from trainees were great. In the questioners, we received comments such as "I remembered that I watched Japanese TV program ‘Project X' when I was a child and it inspired me to get a higher education in engineer. ‘Project X' often used to show Japan's development after WWII. However, by watching the materials, I knew that Japan's reform had begun in the far past, since Meiji era immediately after the opening of the country. It was impressive for me.", and "I admired Japanese spirit very well. I thought that Vietnamese needed to learn the mind of teamwork, agriculture science, and technology from Japanese."

Because the materials concisely show each region part around 10 minute-long, it is possible to pick up and use only a necessary part in the materials. The materials enable people to deepen their understanding of Tohoku region in a short time and learn the development of modern Japan. We hope that the material would be watched by not only those who are working in the tourism division in Prefecture and City office but also overseas students who study in the university in Tohoku region as well as JICA overseas students. We expect that watching the materials promote the understanding of the local community and heighten the significance and motivation for learning in the Tohoku region.

TAWARAYAMA Ibu
JICA Tohoku

*The Material(s) mainly applied

History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era -Fukushima Prefecture -

This material explains how Tohoku region (Fukushima prefecture) developed in the modern era.

Part1: Aizu Wakamatsu city
Part2: Koriyama city
Part3: Iwaki city

The material was created that participants learn about Fukushima prefecture history and development in modern era. Suggested uses for this material include JICA scholarship courses and JICA short term training.

• YouTube (external link)

History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era - Akita Prefecture -

This material explains how Tohoku region (Akita prefecture) developed in the modern era.

Part1: Semboku city
Part2: Ogata village

The material was created that participants learn about Akita prefecture history and development in modern era. Suggested uses for this material include JICA scholarship courses and JICA short term training.

• YouTube (external link)

History of Development and Growth of the Tohoku Region in the Modern Era - Iwate Prefecture -

This material explains how Tohoku region (Iwate prefecture) developed in the modern era.

Part1: Kamaishi city
Part2: Koiwai farm

The material was created that participants learn about Iwate prefecture history and development in modern era. Suggested uses for this material include JICA scholarship courses and JICA short term training.

• YouTube (external link)