Onagawa's "Hope" to Become "Seeds of Hope" for Children Worldwide
NPO Asuhenokibou announces a grand dream to translate the picture book "The Town Without Walls," depicting Onagawa's recovery, into 20 languages to deliver hope to children worldwide, commemorating the town's 100th anniversary.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:20
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Our organization endorses April Dream, a project that aims to make April 1st a day for announcing dreams. This press release represents the dream of "NPO Asuhenokibou."
On April 1, 2026, Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary of municipal incorporation.
NPO Asuhenokibou (Representative Director: Daiki Goto) takes this milestone as an opportunity to declare a grand dream through the picture book "The Town Without Walls" (Gendaishorin), which depicts the town's journey of recovery.
Our dream is to translate this story into 20 languages and deliver it to people around the world.
The true reason we hold this ambitious dream is for the children growing up in this town.
On March 11, 2011, adults rose from despair and rebuilt this town with unwavering determination. We entrust that "human strength" and "power to hold hope" to this picture book, a "seed," to foster a lifelong sense of pride in the hearts of the next generation.
■ 15 Years Since the Disaster: We want to leave behind "hope" for rising up, not just "tragic records."
Since the disaster, many people from across Japan have visited Onagawa to learn about its town-building efforts. However, the children of Onagawa themselves are gradually losing opportunities to understand why their town is considered so valuable.
Representative Goto's conviction was strengthened when he visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum in February this year. The energy of the predecessors who rebuilt their hometown from the despair where it was said "nothing would grow for 70 years." As 80 years have passed since the war and 15 years since the disaster, what should we leave for the next generation? While it is essential to pass down the terror and lessons of the tsunami, we also want to leave a story of regeneration: "How do people overcome difficulties and move forward?" Beyond the records of tragedy, we want to hand over the very "courage" for children to forge their own lives. That is the greatest wish embedded in this picture book.
■ The Responsibility to Continuously Embody Onagawa's Philosophy
The origin of Asuhenokibou lies in the sight witnessed by its founder, Yosuke Komatsu, in 2011: the elders who trusted young people and entrusted the future to them.
"Those over 60 shall not interfere, entrusting the future to the youth." This was not about the older generation stepping aside, but a "partnership of trust" where the older generation fully supported and backed the stage for young people to take the lead and challenge themselves.
We continue to embody this philosophy in our organizational structure. After the change of representative in fiscal year 2022, the next generation is now cultivating the soil to fulfill our mission: "To make the 'seeds of hope' sprout in this land." The wisdom of accompanying predecessors and the passion of young people creating the future. This picture book is the "baton" itself that we receive across generations and pass on to the next.
■ Contributing to Solving Social Issues in Japan and the World with Onagawa's Wisdom
Expanding the picture book into 20 languages is a challenge to realize our mission. We believe that the wisdom embodied by the people of Onagawa – "how people overcome difficulties" – will serve as a guide for people facing walls somewhere in the world at this very moment.
The children of Onagawa will be proud of their town, and that pride will connect to the courage of people all over the world. From this day, the 100th anniversary of the town's incorporation, we will continue to pass on this baton, starting from Onagawa, to the world and to the future.
Scenes from a meeting in Onagawa.
To everyone who cooperated with the multilingual translation of the picture book.
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce dreams they wish to achieve on April 1st. We are seriously aiming for the realization of this dream.
■ The story behind the production and the "feelings" put into this book are available on Note.
Why was this picture book needed 15 years after the disaster? We have documented the production process and our struggles. Please take a look.
[Official Note] Onagawa Town Reconstruction Picture Book Project by NPO Asuhenokibou
[Book Information]
・Title: The Town Without Walls
・Authors: NPO Asuhenokibou (Author), Tamao (Illustrator)
・Publisher: Gendaishorin
・Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
・Main Sales Locations:
◦Online bookstores (Amazon, Rakuten Books, etc.)
◦Bookstores in Miyagi Prefecture (some stores in Onagawa, Ishinomaki, Sendai areas)
◦Libraries nationwide
・Amazon Page:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4774520705/
[Profile]
◾️Author: NPO Asuhenokibou
After the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Onagawa Town established a rare private-sector "Reconstruction Liaison Council (FRK)" by its residents. With the slogan "Town-building to be proud of 100 years from now," FRK collaborated with public and private sectors on reconstruction plans and was introduced by many media as a "top runner in reconstruction." NPO Asuhenokibou was established in April 2013 by incorporating the FRK's strategy office. With the mission "To make the 'seeds of hope' sprout," it is engaged in creating active populations and solving regional issues in Onagawa Town.
HP: https://asuenokibou.jp/
◾️Illustrator: Tamao
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Participated in NPO Asuhenokibou through "Satonoba University." Has created illustrations for Onagawa Town event posters and postcards.
On April 1, 2026, Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, will celebrate its 100th anniversary of municipal incorporation.
NPO Asuhenokibou (Representative Director: Daiki Goto) takes this milestone as an opportunity to declare a grand dream through the picture book "The Town Without Walls" (Gendaishorin), which depicts the town's journey of recovery.
Our dream is to translate this story into 20 languages and deliver it to people around the world.
The true reason we hold this ambitious dream is for the children growing up in this town.
On March 11, 2011, adults rose from despair and rebuilt this town with unwavering determination. We entrust that "human strength" and "power to hold hope" to this picture book, a "seed," to foster a lifelong sense of pride in the hearts of the next generation.
■ 15 Years Since the Disaster: We want to leave behind "hope" for rising up, not just "tragic records."
Since the disaster, many people from across Japan have visited Onagawa to learn about its town-building efforts. However, the children of Onagawa themselves are gradually losing opportunities to understand why their town is considered so valuable.
Representative Goto's conviction was strengthened when he visited the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum in February this year. The energy of the predecessors who rebuilt their hometown from the despair where it was said "nothing would grow for 70 years." As 80 years have passed since the war and 15 years since the disaster, what should we leave for the next generation? While it is essential to pass down the terror and lessons of the tsunami, we also want to leave a story of regeneration: "How do people overcome difficulties and move forward?" Beyond the records of tragedy, we want to hand over the very "courage" for children to forge their own lives. That is the greatest wish embedded in this picture book.
■ The Responsibility to Continuously Embody Onagawa's Philosophy
The origin of Asuhenokibou lies in the sight witnessed by its founder, Yosuke Komatsu, in 2011: the elders who trusted young people and entrusted the future to them.
"Those over 60 shall not interfere, entrusting the future to the youth." This was not about the older generation stepping aside, but a "partnership of trust" where the older generation fully supported and backed the stage for young people to take the lead and challenge themselves.
We continue to embody this philosophy in our organizational structure. After the change of representative in fiscal year 2022, the next generation is now cultivating the soil to fulfill our mission: "To make the 'seeds of hope' sprout in this land." The wisdom of accompanying predecessors and the passion of young people creating the future. This picture book is the "baton" itself that we receive across generations and pass on to the next.
■ Contributing to Solving Social Issues in Japan and the World with Onagawa's Wisdom
Expanding the picture book into 20 languages is a challenge to realize our mission. We believe that the wisdom embodied by the people of Onagawa – "how people overcome difficulties" – will serve as a guide for people facing walls somewhere in the world at this very moment.
The children of Onagawa will be proud of their town, and that pride will connect to the courage of people all over the world. From this day, the 100th anniversary of the town's incorporation, we will continue to pass on this baton, starting from Onagawa, to the world and to the future.
Scenes from a meeting in Onagawa.
To everyone who cooperated with the multilingual translation of the picture book.
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce dreams they wish to achieve on April 1st. We are seriously aiming for the realization of this dream.
■ The story behind the production and the "feelings" put into this book are available on Note.
Why was this picture book needed 15 years after the disaster? We have documented the production process and our struggles. Please take a look.
[Official Note] Onagawa Town Reconstruction Picture Book Project by NPO Asuhenokibou
[Book Information]
・Title: The Town Without Walls
・Authors: NPO Asuhenokibou (Author), Tamao (Illustrator)
・Publisher: Gendaishorin
・Price: 1,650 yen (tax included)
・Main Sales Locations:
◦Online bookstores (Amazon, Rakuten Books, etc.)
◦Bookstores in Miyagi Prefecture (some stores in Onagawa, Ishinomaki, Sendai areas)
◦Libraries nationwide
・Amazon Page:
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4774520705/
[Profile]
◾️Author: NPO Asuhenokibou
After the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Onagawa Town established a rare private-sector "Reconstruction Liaison Council (FRK)" by its residents. With the slogan "Town-building to be proud of 100 years from now," FRK collaborated with public and private sectors on reconstruction plans and was introduced by many media as a "top runner in reconstruction." NPO Asuhenokibou was established in April 2013 by incorporating the FRK's strategy office. With the mission "To make the 'seeds of hope' sprout," it is engaged in creating active populations and solving regional issues in Onagawa Town.
HP: https://asuenokibou.jp/
◾️Illustrator: Tamao
Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Participated in NPO Asuhenokibou through "Satonoba University." Has created illustrations for Onagawa Town event posters and postcards.
FAQ
What is the picture book "The Town Without Walls" about?
It tells the story of how Onagawa Town rose from despair after the Great East Japan Earthquake and built its future, conveying human strength and the power of hope.
Why is this picture book being translated into 20 languages?
The aim is to share Onagawa's wisdom and courage in recovery with people worldwide, serving as a guide for those facing difficulties.
What kind of activities does NPO Asuhenokibou engage in?
It's an organization incorporated from Onagawa Town's Reconstruction Liaison Council, working to create active populations and solve regional issues with the mission "to make the seeds of hope sprout."