PEOPLE
COMPANIES
ORGANISATIONS
“In this global world we have
to be responsible in a new
way … not to a country, but
to the rest of the world, to
the people of the world.”
“They know the train is not
coming ... but they keep
cleaning the place. When you
see something like that, you
have to go on. You have to.”
“I gradually realised our team
cheered them [people in
Tohoku] up by our winning in
the championship and I was
a small part of it.”
Kiyoshi Kurokawa,
Professor of National Graduate
Institute for Policy Studies
Masahiko Mochizuki,
M.D. of Sanriku Tetsudo
(Railways)
Ginji Akaminai,
Baseball player, Tohoku
Rakuten Golden Eagles
EXPERIMENTAL
TRAVEL
great ship from afar
an abandoned mining town
alone and weeping
“Battleship Island”
Hashima Island
Nagasaki Prefecture
movement
Celebrating the courage to be
JAPAN’S SPIRIT
Strength through the Storm
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 1
As hot steam wafts towards my face from the fluffy omelette rice,
I almost can’t bear the luxury of this warmth and the prospect of
a hearty dinner. The words from the people that we’ve met in the
Tohoku Prefecture are still ringing in my mind: the freezing cold,
water everywhere that you cannot drink, no food, no fuel and
no home. Nothing but destruction. The March 11, 2011 Japan
Earthquake and Tsunami happened three years ago and, as I
speak to the Japanese now, beyond their remarkable resilience
and extraordinary hospitality I can feel the pain is there; pain of
a freshly healed wound, where just below the surface the blood
gathers waiting for the questions no-one wants to answer. What kind of courage do people need to possess to be able to watch
everything taken away from them except their own lives and be
completely powerless to prevent it? How do you go on with nothing,
surrounded by death and destruction everywhere? Is it possible to
rebuild in total despair and to transform pain into strength? What
insights and lessons can we learn from this disaster? Be Movement
finds out as we produce our special Japan issue to celebrate the
courage to be alive in Japan now.
THE
EARTH
MOVED
Written by Cassie Lim, Founder of Be Movement
2
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
The impact of the Japan disasters sent ripples across the world and
until today the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant situation
remains unresolved. But there are also many positive initiatives
that emerged from it and Be Movement was one of them. I was
working in Tokyo when the earthquake happened. In a state of
panic, I ran down a non-designated fire escape and was trapped
alone in a locked stairway. Suddenly all the tangible things that
I was chasing after didn’t seem so important any more. Hence,
Be Movement was set up to celebrate the intangibles - that which
you cannot see, but which really matters - like courage, diversity
and human connections. The fact that you are holding this book in
your hands shows that the human spirit can bring people together
to create something meaningful, unique and not just for profit.
My own experience was insignificant compared to what many
Japanese people had to go through. We foreigners have an option to
leave Japan. However, for the Japanese this is home. Their families,
careers, friends and memories are all tied to this country. We may
never be able to comprehend what it means to be Japanese, but as
human beings we do know what it is like to be cold, wet, hungry,
thirsty and exhausted. Push that to the absolute limit, perhaps we
can get an inkling of the courage of Japan and her people who faced
such adversities with dignity and grace.
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 3
03
CONTENT
Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa 44
Masa Kogure 45
Outstanding Women in Japan (Claire Chino, Yuko Isoda,
Minami Tsubouchi and Midori Shimotsuma) 47
Toshi Nakamura 48
PEOPLE
In every issue, we highlight a particular city or country and feature
a select group of people, enterprises and organisations who have the
courage to walk their beliefs. By no means representative, Be Movement
serendipitiously draws together a diverse group of inspirational people
and places from each destination.
Snapshot of Social Sector in Japan 48
04
56 Irodori
58 Green Tea Project
60 Nagasaki - City of Peace
63 Oboke & Iya Hotelier’s Association
01
Onagawa Town: Life After
10
ORGANISATIONS
Kindness is a Priceless Currency (JCCI) 10
Wada Strawberry Farm 21
Kizuna (CLAIR) 25
Sanriku Tetsudo (Railway) 27
TOHOKU
SPECIAL FEATURE
From the Heart (JNTO) 22
Beyond Handshakes (Japan Embassy and JCC) 22
The Long Road to Victory (Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles) 28
The Importance of Community Spirit (JAS) 30
Regaining the World’s Trust by Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa 34
35 Battleship Island
37 Shikoku Pilgrimage
38 Nagasaki Prefecture
02
05
Snapshot of Social Sector in Singapore 64
SINGAPORE’S
SOCIAL SECTOR
69 The Happiness Network (Google CSR Trip to Bhutan)
72 Breathe Anime
74 Poetry
82 JCCI Ceremony
Bettr Barista 66
Travel with Metta 64
Gift and Take (GAT) 65
Privilege Enterprise Group (PEG) 67
CSR Trends in Asia 68
06
OTHERS
EXPERIMENTAL
TRAVEL
4
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 5
INTRODUCING JAPAN,
MANGA STYLE
6
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 7
CONTRIBUTORS
BE MOVEMENT
CONTRIBUTORS
Be Movement is a social enterprise that celebrates the courage to be.
We produce Asia’s pioneer socially conscious publication with a global perspective,
focusing on the intangibles. We also organise conceptual social fairs and events to help
raise awareness for other causes.
We thrive because of people like you and your feedback, comments, ideas and thoughts
help shape Be Movement. If there are stories that should be told, ideas that move you, ways
you want to contribute, purchases you want to make, organisations and people that should
connect, or if you simply want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you.
Visit us at www.be-movement.com
Like us at www.facebook.com/bemovement
Connect with us at contact@be-movement.com
Please email us directly for bulk orders above 10 copies (free delivery in Singapore)
SUBSCRIPTION
ONLINE
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HARD COPIES
SGD 18.90 / issue
Available at HUB Singapore and
all major bookstores & newsstands in Singapore
Available at Kinonukiya Shinjuku stores
and Tsutaya Roppongi store in Japan
8
ISSN 2301 3990 Newspaper Permit C120654453 Official Print Partner Syarikat Evergreen
Be Movement
- Celebrating
Courage
Be Development Charmaine Low, Looi Qin En and Cleo Ngiam
Design
& Layout the
Cleo
Ngiam toWeb
DR. KIYOSHI
KUROKAWA
Contributor
Dr. Kurokawa currently serves as an Academic Fellow, National Graduate
Institute for Policy Studies; Chairman of the Health and Global Policy
Institute; Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo; Chair and Founder
of IMPACT Foundation Japan; Chair of the Parliamentary Commission
of Independent Investigation of Fukushima Nuclear Accident (2011.122012.7); Chair of GHIT (Global Health Innovative Technology Fund) (2013.1
to present). He was also President of the Science Council of Japan (2003-06)
and Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan (2006-2008). His professional
career can be viewed on his website (www.KiyoshiKurokawa.com).
HAKUEI
KOSATO
Contributor
Born in Kobe, Japan, this Oxford-educated
entrepreneur calls Singapore, Tokyo, and Mumbai
“home”. Travelling over 200,000 miles per annum,
he worked for Virgin’s Richard Branson and
James Dyson. He currently works on projects
promoting Japan overseas, founding India’s
biggest Japanese event, “Cool Japan Festival”.
“Sushi and More”, “maidoindia” and “Been There
Done That” are brands created with his team.
“The All-Japan Oyster Opening Championship”
attracts oyster lovers annually.
AMY
LIM
Contributor
Amy joined the Social Enterprise Association in
2009 in the hope that she would contribute in a
meaningful and useful way. Through the Social
Enterprise Association, Amy has met many
inspiring individuals and these people all seem to
share one thing in common - the same underlying
drive and passion to create a better place in this
world. She has the belief that when people start
working together towards a common vision,
great results can be achieved. She aspires to start
her own social enterprise one day. If that fails,
Amy would not mind being a rock star.
JUNICE
YEO
Contributor
Corporate Citizenship, headquartered in London
with offices in New York and Singapore, is among
the longest-standing sustainability consultancies.
Having advised several industry leaders, including
Unilever, Abbott and ANZ Bank, Corporate
Citizenship continues to help companies achieve
long-term sustainability goals for both business
and society. Junice, the Director for Southeast
Asia, is based currently in Singapore.
MIDORI
SHIMOTSUMA
Contributor
A writer, illustrator and photographer who
covers Nagasaki’s culture in both ancient and
current daily lifestyle, Midori also directed the
Japanese TV programme “Taikoyama no NatsuKokkodesyo no 131 nichi”, about one of the
towns which performed for the Okunchi Festival,
which found acclaim at the Japan Commercial
Broadcasters Association in 2005. She teaches
about Nagasaki’s daily life, culture and events
from ancient times, as well as how to enjoy
current life at Nagasaki community school.
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 9
CONTRIBUTORS
KAMINI
DEVADASS
Writer
“Well, this is today. Tomorrow I am going to do
some fabulous things.” Tom Wolfe. Currently
a full-time undergraduate in political science
and public policy management at the Singapore
Management University, it is the unpredictability
of life that keeps Kamini going. These
unanticipated, uncertain yet transformative
moments have become some of her fondest
memories, fuelling her desire to share through
her writing these experiences with many.
AMOS
WONG
Photographer
An integral part of his life, photography has
helped Amos formulate an understanding of his
surroundings through the people he has worked
with and the places he has been to. He seeks to
capture the essence of each person he shoots, be
it a celebrity or the man in the street. With his new
life as a father, he hopes to rediscover the world we
live in through the eyes of a child once again.
JEMIMAH
SEOW
Writer/Designer
Jemimah is currently still a full-time
communication student at NTU (Nanyang
Technological University). She believes in the
value of storytelling and the power it has to
connect human beings. Passionate about writing,
graphic design and film, she wants to create
compelling narratives that move people.
MICHELLE
CHUA
Media Consultant
Michelle Chua discovered three years ago that
being a singer is for her just the best job in the
world, simply because standing on stage gives
her the best view: humanity in every glorious
hue. A sea of faces lighting up the world. Her love
and fascination for human diversity inspires her
singing, volunteering for people living with HIV
and AIDs in Singapore, writing and advocating
social responsibility using the undeniable power
of the media.
CONTRIBUTORS
KAH GAY
NG
Editor
MICHAEL
LAIDLAW
Editor
KG enjoys work centred around personhood,
community, learning and design. He forages for
stories, poetry and recipes with the unwitting
help of family and friends.
Michael is currently working at the International
Criminal Court. “I love words and they hopefully
rest easy under my fingertips. The spirit of BEing
is a journey of truth within and without. You may
be reluctant, but as Winston Churchill once said,
‘I am always ready to learn, although I do not
always like being taught.’”
NAWAN
POOVARAWAN
Associate Partner
Nawan Poovarawan, or Noom, is an Associate
Partner and Columnist of Be Movement, a
socially-conscious publication that celebrates
the courage to be of social enterprises and
individuals and features heartfelt CSR stories for
corporations. Noom has over a decade of career
experience in brand management with MNCs
across Asia Pacific, with a recent focus on new
media platforms for SMBs in Southeast Asia.
DAVID
LALANNE
Official Photographer
David is back in the Land of the Rising Sun for the
third time, to commemorate the third anniversary
of the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami. This is his
third collaboration, based on the rule of thirds
with Be Movement, to showcase the courage and
warmth of Japan and her people.
BE FRIENDS
Be Movement would not be what you see now if not for all our contributors, interviewees and the following
good folks who gave us a hand when we needed it most: Cindy Ng, Lawrence Lim, Nora Tann, Rina Phua,
Charlie Supapodok, Charmaine Low, Prof. Noam Chomsky, Prof. Wong Poh Kam, Prisca Lim, Jolia Tan, Chloe
Huang, Jonathan Tan, Glory Tan, Anna Fu, Grace Sai, Richard Tan, Low Li Li, Grace Yap, Jeanette Kwek,
Haresh Aswani, Anusha Aswani, Glen Goei, Terrence Hong, Wati Saidi, Regina Lee, Monika Bischoff, Mark
Lee, Ong Tze Boon, Rosana Wong, Hajar Ali, Rajesh Sabari, Diána Motyovszki, Karen Thibault, Doris Wong,
Jeremy Wong, Jeffrey Wong, Marianne Wong, Alvin Chia, Fanny Chia, Choo Phaik Ai, Erica Law, Daniel
Whittington, Vincent Seet, Annie Tan, Cheryl Chen, Elim Chew, Grace Clapham, Dave Lim, Andre Lim, Sean
Koh, Willie Loo, Looi Qin En, Jacqueline Tan, Natasha Chua, Hazel Soh, Nuraszila Binte Ai’nal, Celeste Chua,
Pearly Ng, Roger Wong, Cathy Montigel, Carole Lalanne, Guy Abbadie, Ludovic Despaux, Jean Robert
Lalanne, Edgard Lalanne, Lucette Lalanne, Alain and Frédérique Malascrabes, Ethan, Yannick Appriou,
Etienne Dessault and Kimberly Leong - a very BIG THANK YOU to all for supporting Be Movement.
10
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
CLEO
NGIAM
Designer
Cleo’s goal in life is to wander, ponder and possibly
conquer design, food, comedy and travel. From
product to digital to user research, she has spent
years in design and it still never ceases to amaze
her. So far she has worked on a farm in Sweden,
built a playground in Chile, mastered British
food in an English Bed & Breakfast, exchanged
knowledge in Chicago and explored the world
with newfound backpackers.
JACINTA
PLUCINSKI
Writer
Like John Hodgman, Jacinta’s “… career is
largely prefaced on the idea of curiosity, to go
on adventures and weasel her way into the lives
of people …” she admires. Australian born, with
fifteen years’ experience in media, Jacinta has
worked in the Middle East, Europe and Asia
including Japan, which won her heart when she
moved there to tinker with technology.
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 11
Rise up weep again
The sky conjures perfect rage
We turn into dolls
Michael Laidlaw
IWATE PREFECTURE
MIYAGI PREFECTURE
FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURE
01
TOHOKU
SPECIAL FEATURE
We highlight the Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima
Prefectures that received the most damage from the
March 11, 2011 Japan disasters and the human spirit
that prevails throughout.
12
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 13
ONAGAWA
TOWN:
LIFE AFTER
Written by Kamini Devadass
Interviewed by Cassie Lim
Photography by David Lalanne
14
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 15
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
Imagine having to witness the death of your father in one instance
and in the next save the life of another. For Tatsuhiko Endo, he does
not have to imagine it.
He lived it.
“I have no idea. I just ran away, felt no pain,
didn’t feel anything after,” says Endo. Though
emotionally paralysed when he saw his father
washed away by the tsunami, he reacted
instinctively to save the life of an elderly woman.
Endo’s house was 100 metres away from the
coastline when the walls of waves pulverised his
house and almost everything else in Onagawa,
a small town with a population of about 10,000
situated near Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture. It
took along with it his father and uncle. His father’s
body was found, but his uncle’s is still missing.
remember this tsunami. 100% of the casualties
were [caused] by the tsunami. If there was only
the earthquake, there would be no casualties like
that,” he adds.
Residents of the town had a 45 minute window
between the earthquake and the first wave of
the tsunami, but as many did not expect such
towering walls of waves they took refuge in all the
wrong places.
Endo says, “From the coastal area, people escaped
immediately upon hearing the siren. When the
people ran, they didn’t imagine the tsunami to
be so big. As buildings became stronger than the
last time, people thought it was safe to go up to
the second floor or to the highest floor in the
building,” but with the highest wave at about 30
metres it was inevitable that what was left was
rubble and debris.
Endo cites the lack of awareness and
preparedness as reasons that led to his father’s
death and the death of many others. He states,
“My father did not imagine how big the tsunami
would become. We knew that a tsunami would
come, but we didn’t have any
idea or information of how
“I HAVE NO
high it would be.”
IDEA. I
JUST RAN AWAY, FELT
NO PAIN, DIDN’T FEEL
ANYTHING AFTER”
“[The last tsunami] was in
1933. The wave was around
20 metres high … similar to
the ones we had in 2011,
but the impact was smaller. They [the town] built
memorial stones near the coast, but the town had
changed the place of the stones to the mountain
area. After 80 years people have forgotten that
there was a tsunami last time,” he explains.
By removing symbolic reminders of the calamity
that happened in 1933 it has made the people
of Onagawa town forget how menacing natural
disasters can be.
Endo was certain however that, “People will
16
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
When the warning came,
Endo went home and tried
to convince his parents to
escape. However, he was
not able to persuade his
father and so only drove his
mother to an evacuation spot. Returning home
again to fetch his father he says, “I saw my father
drive out of our house in his truck. However, the
tsunami came. My father saw the tsunami and
he had to drive back into the house and go to the
second floor.” The waves submerged the house
completely, washing away his home, washing
away his father.
Onagawa Town has their own currency, which features Astroboy
on the note. This allows visitors to spend the unique currency
within their temporary shops and stores.
The surprising thing was, during our visit, we wanted to give a
donation. However they did not understand and when we asked for
a donation box, they do not even have one ... such is the extent of
their self-reliance.
Having no time to be overwhelmed with grief,
Endo was returning to the evacuation spot in the
mountain when he spotted an elderly lady needing
ENDO WITH ONAGAWA’S ASTROBOY CURRENCY
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 17
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
assistance. He describes, “I tried to escape, but I
saw an old woman and so I took her to my truck
just after the tsunami came.” He continues, “The
water came in [again] and we couldn’t go out. Two
young men [saw and] helped us. We were taken
up [to the mountain] with those young men,
[joining about 50 others].”
a flourishing fishing port. However, since the
incident businesses have found it difficult to
resume their daily activities. “There were 40
fishing related companies. Only three [buildings]
were not damaged and the rest of them were
washed away. Now, the situation is half of [past]
production,” he says.
In the mountain snow was falling and conditions
were bitterly cold, so Endo and fellow survivors
started a fire together with whatever scraps they
could find. As they moved to the next escape
area, near Onagawa High School, they were
once again able to adapt to their surroundings by
using water from the school’s swimming pool for
sanitary purposes.
Wishing for a swift revival of the town’s fishing
port, he suggests some ways that could expedite
the process stating, “I think it is important to
make new local products of Onagawa and have
local events in the town.”
Immediately after the tsunami, Endo moved
around four different escape areas and settled
in an escape house for six months. Today he lives
with his mother in a temporary home built from
paper tubes and shipping containers. Eventually
though, he and his mother will have to leave their
temporary home. To where is still uncertain, as it
would take years to rebuild upon the devastated
land, or build new houses on higher ground.
Before the tsunami disrupted the lives of
many, Endo was working in Onagawa’s fishery
industry, once the pride of the town and boasting
Endo shares the struggles his community faces,
some are still unable to find employment, while
others became mentally ill unable to recover in
the aftermath of the tsunami.
Expressing a scintilla of regret Endo wishes
things had turned out differently, reflecting that
“My father, my house, was washed away. I lost my
albums, my memories. Pictures that were blown
away were found and collected in some places,
but I don’t have the original copies any more.”
All that remains is one picture of his father and
mother, which he keeps close to him. He found it
near the nuclear power station.
TEMPORARY STORES AND OFFICES
18
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
REMNANTS FROM 3.11 DESTRUCTION IN ONAGAWA TOWN
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 19
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
Feeling the complete loss of his loved ones, Endo acknowledges
that the irreversible disposition of reality is unforgiving. “I lost
my relatives, my friends and the people around my house. People
around me were fine before the earthquake and tsunami, but just
after that day my dad died,” he says wistfully.
Refusing to be consumed by his sorrows and misfortunes, Endo
draws strength from fellow survivors. Inspired by their will to
carry on despite such agony he states, “I’m tired, yes, but everyone
is the same and in the same situation.”
Many things have changed for Endo now, but the biggest
realisation for him is “the importance of life.” Experiencing the
true fragility of life, he now lives with the intent of having no
regrets.
Spending more time with his mother, Endo now runs the errands,
things his father used to do. He comments, “My mother is weak
[due to old age] and my father used to drive her for shopping with
him, but now it’s me.”
Eager to educate the public on what had happened and the current
situation of Onagawa he says, “I want outsiders to see the present
situation of the town and to tell people of the tsunami, the [current]
situation of Onagawa.” Onagawa shows us that, in the face of
death and destruction, there can
REFUSING TO BE CONSUMED
be co-operation over conflict,
kindness over callousness, and
BY HIS SORROWS AND
most importantly, courage over
MISFORTUNES, ENDO DRAWS
fear that can save other people’s
lives.
STRENGTH FROM FELLOW
SURVIVORS.
If he were to describe the spirit
of Onagawa people in one word
he says, “Akarui, which means brightness. Brightness because,
[although] Japanese people are in times of difficulties, we don’t
show our tears.”
As the old adage goes, “It is better to light a candle than to curse the
darkness.” Endo did exactly that. Not one to cower or be marred
by scars of distress, his toughness and resolve is a testament to
the human spirit.
Mitsuke, who was in high school at the time of the Japan disaster, loves painting and
wanted to do something to cheer Onagawa town. With the help of her father who works
in construction, she erected two large wall paintings to light up Onagawa town by the
roadside. This goes to show that you don’t have to be working in the government or nongovernmental organisations to contribute or help. Everyone can do something with their
unique skills and talents.
It will take decades for the town of Onagawa to return to its once
placid, picturesque setting, but with such light radiating from its
people, it won’t be long before the place is filled with akarui. •
20
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 21
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
Takeshi Suma, Director,
Tohoku Tourism Promotion
Organisation
Takashi Kikuchi, Director in
charge of Tourism Promotion,
Iwate Prefectural Government
“In the evening of March 11,
2011, I went to my parents’ house
to see if they were safe or not. It
was dark in the house, but they
were safe. However, my father
wasn’t well. He was shivering.
“The greatest lesson that I’ve
learnt from the 3.11 disaster is
respect to the great nature.
Respect to the people.
There was no electricity and heating. My father went to the hospital the next day,
but in the evening he couldn’t come back home and he died that night. At that time
there was an old stove in my parents’ house, but it was dark and I couldn’t find it. If
I could find that stove and make heat, I thought my father would survive if he didn’t
have to go to the hospital the next day. After experiencing the disaster, I think I can
face anything in life and encourage people to live and to go on.”
Takahiro Ito, Administrative
Staff, Miyagi Prefecture
Government Tourism Division
“I turned on the TV news and I
watched the scene of the tsunami
coming to the port of Miyagi
and I thought it was the end of
Miyagi.
After the earthquake, I developed a great passion that I have to work for our
prefecture as best I can. If I’m not working for the government I will still stay here
because I love it here, because Miyagi Prefecture has given me a lot of things. I grew
up here and I have experienced a lot of things here. There are a lot of memories
here and I cannot forget this area. I think Japan will be in a position to share and
contribute to the world using our experience about the tsunami and radiation.
Visit here, see that our prefecture is normal and share the information with other
people.”
22
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Respect to nature may include a sense of awe. The great nature gives us a lot of
things, such as goodness, and sometimes it gives us hardships as well. No matter
how technology progresses, we cannot really control nature. Respect to the people
even in extreme situations. Some suffer, some are in a position to help and I think
most people did a great job during the March 11, 2011 Japan disasters, especially
people in the North. We’re very patient and we don’t talk much, but our hearts are
warm.”
Nozomi Satou, Senior Staff,
Tourism Promotion Division,
Fukushima Prefectural
Government
“My perception of natural
disaster gradually changed. I felt
how powerless human beings
are when we are faced with very
strong natural disasters.
I think living now is very precious and I have to treasure being alive. There are so
many people whose lives were taken away … ”
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 23
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
TOHOKU SPECIAL FEATURE
SIGHTS FROM MIYAGI PREFECTURE
(Clockwise from the left)
Christmas lights at Sendai City, Naruko Kokeshi
dolls Craftsman, Cosplayers at Sendai Castle,
Entsuin Temple, JR East Shinkansen
24
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 25
CREDITS
This Japan issue could not have materialised, if not for the tremendous help and
support from the Japanese community, both in Singapore and in Japan. In addition
to our contributors and interviewees, we would like to express our heartfelt
thanks to the people below for helping Be Movement connect the unconnected.
SINGAPORE
IWATE
TOKYO
Junichi Azuma
Tivoli Kikuchi
Mona Sumi
Shimpei Kudo
Yoshida Chikanori
Tanaka Koki
TOKUSHIMA
Ayako Yakushiji
Samantha Chan
Jenifer Takikawa
Yoshiaki Ishikawa
Yasumasa Shimizu
Akemi Nakata
Yumiko Umetsu
Takashi Miyamoto
Hiroki Sogami
Kaori Iwasaki
Katsumata Harumi
Yasuyo Otsuka
Patrick Newell
Todd Porter
Siau Min Yang
Naomi Sasaki
NAGASAKI (KYUSHU)
Daisuke Soda
Natsu Sueyasu
Riho Shibuya
FUKUSHIMA
Takako Sonoda
Jun Sasagawa
Yukiko Taniguchi
Yoko Tsumuraya
Kenji Odawara
Kentaro Matsumoto
MIYAGI
Yayoi Minokawa
Yuki Doi
Satoshi Kamouchi
Chika Miura
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Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be
Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be 211
“I’M HOPING THROUGH BE MOVEMENT,
JAPAN GETS MORE CONNECTED WITH
OTHER NATIONS AND THE REST OF THE
WORLD. IN THE PAST, THE CONNECTIONS
WE HAVE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES
WERE BUSINESS BASED, BUT I THINK
AT A CULTURAL LEVEL, ON A DEEPER
LEVEL, BE MOVEMENT COULD BE THE
BRIDGE, BECAUSE I’VE NEVER SEEN A
PUBLICATION LIKE THIS BEFORE.”
Masa Kogure, Director of TABLE FOR TWO
International, awarded Asian Social Entrepreneur of
the Year 2013 by Schwab Foundation
10% OF OUR PROFITS FROM THE SALE OF BE MOVEMENT’S JAPAN ISSUE WILL
GO TOWARDS THE REBUILDING OF ONAGAWA TOWN POST THE 3.11 TSUNAMI
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Be Movement - Celebrating the Courage to Be