[15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake] "Otagai-sama" Spirit in a Picture Book. Fukushima Launches Crowdfunding to Connect "Experience" and "Memory" to the Next Generation
Key facts
- [15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake] "Otagai-sama" Spirit in a Picture Book. Fukushima Launches Crowdfunding to Connect "Experience" and "Memory" to the Next Generation
- NPO Team Fukushima has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish a picture book that conveys the memories of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to future generations, while also providing experiences for underprivileged children. This project, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the passing of Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, aims to address the societal challenges of "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 2, 2026
Direct answer
NPO Team Fukushima has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish a picture book that conveys the memories of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to future generations, while also providing experiences for underprivileged children. This project, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the passing of Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, aims to address the societal challenges of "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
- Citation
- [15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake] "Otagai-sama" Spirit in a Picture Book. Fukushima Launches Crowdfunding to Connect "Experience" and "Memory" to the Next Generation (May 2, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 2, 2026
NPO Team Fukushima has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish a picture book that conveys the memories of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to future generations, while also providing experiences for underprivileged children. This project, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the passing of Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, aims to address the societal challenges of "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 2, 2026 at 06:10
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 21:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 21:47 (15 min after Collected)
NPO Team Fukushima (Location: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture / Representative Director: Masahito Handa) launched a crowdfunding campaign on May 1, 2026, to deliver the memories of the disaster and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to the next generation.
This project will simultaneously produce and publish a disaster picture book based on the true story of the late Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari at Azuma Sports Park in Fukushima City, and provide experiences for children from impoverished households.
This is a challenge originating from Fukushima, addressing two societal issues: "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
▼ Crowdfunding details
https://for-good.net/project/1003661
May 12th — The 5th anniversary of the passing of Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, and the picture book publication
May 12th marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of the late Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, who built "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima" (Fukushima, the Town of Mutual Help), including the Fukushima Sunflower Foster Parent Project.
On the same day, the publication of the disaster picture book is planned.
This project was launched as a milestone to connect Director Yoshinari's aspirations to the future.
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake,
Director Yoshinari, who was serving hot meals at an evacuation center, handed a bowl of pork soup to a woman who had lost everything.
The words she returned at that time were,
"This will make everything even."
This single phrase was the turning point;
support transformed from "giving" to "sharing."
This is the origin of "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima."
▼ Previous crowdfunding project that embodied Director Yoshinari's vision
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000087569.html
▼ Book "On-okuri Changes the World!" by Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000062.000087569.html
15 years since the disaster: Two challenges – "fading memories" and "experience poverty"
15 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The memories of the disaster are fading year by year.
Meanwhile, in modern society,
・Children who have never been anywhere during summer vacation
・Children who have no experience dining out with family
・Children who say, "I have no memories"
Such new challenges of "experience poverty" among children are spreading.
This "invisible disparity" significantly impacts children's self-esteem and future choices.
These two issues, while seemingly separate, share a common root: "the weakening of human connections."
"Knowing" through picture books, "feeling" through experiences – initiatives to connect to the next generation
This project will be carried out with the following two pillars:
① Production and publication of a disaster picture book
A picture book based on Director Yoshinari's real-life experiences will convey the spirit of "Otagai-sama" to children in an understandable way.
It will connect the lessons of the disaster to the future.
② Provision of experiences for children
Experiential opportunities, such as barbecues, will be provided to children from impoverished households.
This will create opportunities for them to feel "I am valued."
By "knowing" through picture books and "feeling" through experiences,
the spirit of "On-okuri" (returning a favor) will eventually grow, inspiring them to "give back to someone else."
From Fukushima to Noto – The expanding cycle of "On-okuri"
This project is not limited to Fukushima but also collaborates with support efforts for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake victims.
Returning the support received during the disaster to another region, to the next generation.
That cycle is the cycle of "Otagai-sama."
Project Overview
・Implementation period: May 1, 2026 – May 12, 2026
・Target amount: 890,000 yen (HUG)
・Use of funds:
- Production, printing, and distribution of disaster picture books
- Provision of experiences for children (BBQ, etc.)
- Awareness-raising activities and operational costs
▼ Crowdfunding details
https://for-good.net/project/1003661
Picture book cover
Ongoing support: "Monthly Supporter" recruitment
In addition to one-time support, we are also recruiting "Monthly Supporters" as partners to continuously support children.
▼ Monthly Supporter application
https://congrant.com/project/teamfukushima/3409
https://congrant.com/project/teamfukushima/11704
About NPO Team Fukushima
Under the philosophy of "For next" (for the next generation), we carry out the following activities to realize a compassionate society and peace.
1. "Fukushima Sunflower Foster Parent Project" to deepen the bond between Japan and Fukushima through sunflowers.
Started in May 2011, this reconstruction support project involved approximately 1 million people nationwide and over 10,000 educational institutions/organizations.
2. "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima"
To realize a society where people can support each other with the spirit of "It's natural to help when someone is in trouble."
This project will simultaneously produce and publish a disaster picture book based on the true story of the late Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari at Azuma Sports Park in Fukushima City, and provide experiences for children from impoverished households.
This is a challenge originating from Fukushima, addressing two societal issues: "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
▼ Crowdfunding details
https://for-good.net/project/1003661
May 12th — The 5th anniversary of the passing of Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, and the picture book publication
May 12th marks the 5th anniversary of the passing of the late Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, who built "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima" (Fukushima, the Town of Mutual Help), including the Fukushima Sunflower Foster Parent Project.
On the same day, the publication of the disaster picture book is planned.
This project was launched as a milestone to connect Director Yoshinari's aspirations to the future.
Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake,
Director Yoshinari, who was serving hot meals at an evacuation center, handed a bowl of pork soup to a woman who had lost everything.
The words she returned at that time were,
"This will make everything even."
This single phrase was the turning point;
support transformed from "giving" to "sharing."
This is the origin of "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima."
▼ Previous crowdfunding project that embodied Director Yoshinari's vision
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000003.000087569.html
▼ Book "On-okuri Changes the World!" by Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000062.000087569.html
15 years since the disaster: Two challenges – "fading memories" and "experience poverty"
15 years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake.
The memories of the disaster are fading year by year.
Meanwhile, in modern society,
・Children who have never been anywhere during summer vacation
・Children who have no experience dining out with family
・Children who say, "I have no memories"
Such new challenges of "experience poverty" among children are spreading.
This "invisible disparity" significantly impacts children's self-esteem and future choices.
These two issues, while seemingly separate, share a common root: "the weakening of human connections."
"Knowing" through picture books, "feeling" through experiences – initiatives to connect to the next generation
This project will be carried out with the following two pillars:
① Production and publication of a disaster picture book
A picture book based on Director Yoshinari's real-life experiences will convey the spirit of "Otagai-sama" to children in an understandable way.
It will connect the lessons of the disaster to the future.
② Provision of experiences for children
Experiential opportunities, such as barbecues, will be provided to children from impoverished households.
This will create opportunities for them to feel "I am valued."
By "knowing" through picture books and "feeling" through experiences,
the spirit of "On-okuri" (returning a favor) will eventually grow, inspiring them to "give back to someone else."
From Fukushima to Noto – The expanding cycle of "On-okuri"
This project is not limited to Fukushima but also collaborates with support efforts for the Noto Peninsula Earthquake victims.
Returning the support received during the disaster to another region, to the next generation.
That cycle is the cycle of "Otagai-sama."
Project Overview
・Implementation period: May 1, 2026 – May 12, 2026
・Target amount: 890,000 yen (HUG)
・Use of funds:
- Production, printing, and distribution of disaster picture books
- Provision of experiences for children (BBQ, etc.)
- Awareness-raising activities and operational costs
▼ Crowdfunding details
https://for-good.net/project/1003661
Picture book cover
Ongoing support: "Monthly Supporter" recruitment
In addition to one-time support, we are also recruiting "Monthly Supporters" as partners to continuously support children.
▼ Monthly Supporter application
https://congrant.com/project/teamfukushima/3409
https://congrant.com/project/teamfukushima/11704
About NPO Team Fukushima
Under the philosophy of "For next" (for the next generation), we carry out the following activities to realize a compassionate society and peace.
1. "Fukushima Sunflower Foster Parent Project" to deepen the bond between Japan and Fukushima through sunflowers.
Started in May 2011, this reconstruction support project involved approximately 1 million people nationwide and over 10,000 educational institutions/organizations.
2. "Otagai-sama no Machi Fukushima"
To realize a society where people can support each other with the spirit of "It's natural to help when someone is in trouble."
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
NPO Team Fukushima has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish a picture book that conveys the memories of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to future generations, while also providing experiences for underprivileged children. This project, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the passing of Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, aims to address the societal challenges of "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
What is the direct answer?
NPO Team Fukushima has launched a crowdfunding campaign to publish a picture book that conveys the memories of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spirit of "Otagai-sama" (mutual help) to future generations, while also providing experiences for underprivileged children. This project, commemorating the 5th anniversary of the passing of Vice Director Yoshihaku Yoshinari, aims to address the societal challenges of "fading memories" and "experience disparity."
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000096.000087569.html | May 2, 2026