Ashinaga Foster Parent Association Donates Rikuzentakata Rainbow House, a Support Hub for Children Bereaved by the Great East Japan Earthquake, to the City

The Ashinaga Foster Parent Association (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Osamu Murata; hereinafter referred to as "the Association"), which supports children who have lost parents or have parents with disabilities, has decided to donate "Rikuzentakata Rainbow House," one of its support hubs for grief care for children bereaved by the Great East Japan Earthquake, to Rikuzentakata City free of charge. The donation will be effective March 31, 2026, with a handover ceremony scheduled for late April. Rikuzentakata Rainbow House

Past Activities of Rikuzentakata Rainbow House The Association began its activities in the affected areas immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, identifying 2,083 children who lost parents. Grief care services commenced in May 2011. In 2014, Rainbow Houses (hereinafter referred to as "RH") were opened in three locations: Sendai, Ishinomaki, and Rikuzentakata, and continuous support has been provided. In Rikuzentakata City, a preparatory office for construction was established in August 2011. Rikuzentakata RH was completed in June 2014 and has been in operation to this day. The total number of visitors, including those participating in organized programs outside the facility, is 1,484. Rikuzentakata RH's "March 11th Opening Day" (March 11, 2026)

Most recently, on March 11, 2026, the "March 11th Opening Day" event was held, with 14 families of children bereaved by the earthquake visiting. Bereaved children who attended commented, "This is a second home," and "This was a place where I could be myself." Their guardians said, "This was the children's most important place.".

Background of the Donation The construction of the Sendai, Ishinomaki, and Rikuzentakata RHs was decided in March 2011. Approximately 4.98 billion yen in donations were received from both domestic and international sources for their construction. From the initial concept of construction, it was planned and announced that "the facilities would be handed over to the local community within approximately 10 years, considering the growth of the children bereaved by the earthquake." This return to the local community is, in effect, a promise to those who generously donated to the construction fund. Although it took longer than initially anticipated, negotiations with Rikuzentakata City have concluded, and with the majority of the children bereaved by the earthquake having reached adulthood, the decision to donate was made. A donation agreement was signed on March 17, 2026.

Future Support for Children Bereaved by the Great East Japan Earthquake Children who were fetuses at the time of the earthquake are now in their second year of junior high school. Furthermore, voices continue to be heard from those who have already reached adulthood, requesting continued "places of belonging.". The Sendai RH will continue to operate as a hub for supporting children bereaved by the earthquake (and will also provide care for children who have lost parents due to reasons other than the earthquake). The Ishinomaki RH is also moving towards returning the facility to the local community, similar to Rikuzentakata. In Rikuzentakata, although the hub will cease to exist, relationships with bereaved families will be maintained, and opportunities for interaction will continue to be provided.