Tohoku, Japan

This summer, Y-PLAN Japan welcomed 100 high school students from Japan to the Bay Area for the TOMODACHI Softbank Leadership Program. Over the last six years, Y-PLAN has hosted a total of 800 high school students from the region of Tohoku, Japan, affected by the Great Japan Earthquake in 2011. These students came to UC Berkeley to learn how to rebuild this earthquake-prone region of Japan through the Y-PLAN Japan Summer Studio! With the support of over 50 Bay Area and Japan adult allies, students engaged in a community development project locally before taking their best ideas back home to set them into action in Tohoku. This year, students partnered with Richmond’s City Manager, Bill Lindsay, to provide recommendations on how to revitalize a portion of Richmond’s waterfront at Point Molate, to promoting educational and employment opportunities while responding to challenges such as climate change and globalization.

Check out the photo story here!
For the announcement from US Japan Council click here!