Response to the Great East Japan Earthquake
Ongoing debris cleanup
Although nearly 18 months have passed since Japan's unprecedented disaster, the debris cleanup process is still continuing in the areas stricken by the disaster. While rubble appears to have been removed compared with the "scene in the immediate wake of the earthquake," as the debris piled up in a single place in the "recent conditions" photograph below seems to indicate, there is still extensive debris remaining in the vicinity of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power Station, and in areas along the coast. Kanamoto will continue its efforts for cleanup and removal operations, including the concentrated delivery of construction equipment and materials into the stricken areas.
Works for restoration begun while moving slowly forward
With restoration works on railway trunk lines continuing to move forward after partial delays until now, efforts such as the restoration of port and river social infrastructure and the relocation of residential districts to higher ground will increase further from this summer, as local governments begin implementing recovery budgets in earnest. To respond not only to debris cleanup but also to such demand, the Kanamoto Group will contribute to the restoration and recovery efforts in areas where it excels, such as foundation and ground improvement works.
[Conditions in the immediate wake of the earthquake]
Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, where widely scattered debris starkly tells the extent of the damage (left photograph)
Onagawa-cho in Oshika-gun in the same prefecture suffered extensive damage, including collapsed buildings and fishing boats deposited on rooftops (right photograph)
］[Response to the earthquake]
Kanamoto delivered support equipment and supplies to areas stricken by the disaster immediately after the earthquake, and even now is providing large amounts of construction equipment and materials. This photograph shows Kanamoto construction equipment used for debris removal work.
[Recent conditions (May 2012)]
Disaster-stricken areas in Miyagi Prefecture such as Ishinomaki City and Minami-Sanriku Village appear to have disposed of debris, which has been collected in one place, as the removal works progress. There are areas where extensive debris remains, however, including areas along the coast, and the continuation of restoration works is essential.
Maintenance of Infrastructure for Disaster Prevention and Disaster Mitigation
Along with responding to the earthquake, one area on which Kanamoto believes it should focus its capacities is infrastructure construction works aimed at preventing future disasters and reducing the lives and property lost. One problem Japan faces in particular is the worn-out and deteriorating condition of many of the 670,000 bridges scattered throughout the country, and the need to ensure their safety is a pressing issue. Kanamoto is endeavoring to maintain Japan's well-earned reputation for safety by assisting with bridge check and maintenance works.