- "Signal of Hope" Project -

• About "Signal of Hope" : Greeting
• About "Signal of Hope" : Project Aims
• About "Signal of Hope" : Supported Areas
• About "Signal of Hope" : Donated equipment
• About "Signal of Hope" : About the organisation
• About "Signal of Hope" : Advisory Body
• About "Signal of Hope" : About the logo
• "Signal of Hope" news

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For anyone who saw the unbelievable images of devastation caused by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and its monster tsunami, their hearts immediately went out to those affected, and there was a very strong sense of wanting to do something to help the affected region. It was in this spirit that I established the Signal of Hope Project.

Aware of the critical part that the fishing and marine products industries play in the Tohoku economy, I believe strongly that in supporting the resumption, even if only partial, of fishing port and market function, we can shine out a ‘signal’ of practical hope and encouragement to the whole region.

I have been heartened by the generosity and responsiveness of so many businesses that, sympathetic to the project’s objectives, were quick to offer their help. And I’ve been blown away by the positive, can-do attitude of the project’s beneficiaries. At such a dark moment in its history, Japan has shown itself to be truly a compassionate country.

The determination and courage of Tohoku people as they work to rebuild their lives in the wake of the March disaster has captured the admiration and imagination of the world.

That is why this homepage has been published in English as well as Japanese, so that people around the world are able to get a feel for what things are like ‘on the ground’ and can, in some way, feel as if they are standing together in solidarity with Tohoku as it moves towards recovery.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued kind support and cooperation.

Yukio Okamoto
Representative Director
Signal of Hope Fund
July 2011

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(1)　The massive tsunami completely destroyed fishing boats and equipment, fishing ports, markets, refrigerators and freezers, vehicles and processing facilities all along the Tohoku coast. Even now, the fishing industry is yet to recover.

(2)　If the current, hopeless situation continues, fishermen, particularly those in their 30s and 40s who have families to support, will be forced to leave the industry. Fishing is a seasonal business. As a private organization, the Signal of Hope fund aims to support as much as possible the even partial resumption of port and market function to enable seasonal harvesting of key fish species at various ports to continue.

(3)　With the will and the necessary equipment, market function at fishing ports can be resumed relatively quickly. The most critical factor is speed. The rapid resumption of fishing port function, even if only partial, will become a ‘signal’ of the recovery of the fishing industry, providing hope to the entire Tohoku coastal region.

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Containers

Refrigerated containers and converted freezer containers

Refrigerated containers

Refrigerated containers are the main means by which shipping companies transport frozen food products. Because the inside temperature of the container goes down to minus 30 degrees celcius, these containers have a strong cold storage capability.
However, because the 3-4 days it takes for fresh fish placed in a refrigerated container to become frozen right through to the core can result in a substantial drop in the quality of the fish, it is necessary to convert some of these containers, as explained below, for use in freezing.
Currently, the Signal of Hope Fund is progressing the delivery of one hundred 40ft containers provided by NYK to every fishing port being supported by the project.

Refrigerated containers and converted freezer containers

Converted freezer containers

The conversion of a refrigerated container, which costs around 9 million yen, to enhance its freezing capability, and to fit it with a blower fan to forcibly blow cool air around the fish, enables fish to be frozen in 18-20 hours. This type of conversion is the first such endeavour to be undertaken anywhere in the world. The conversions are being carried out by Daikin and Toyo Engineering Works, Ltd.

Vehicles

Office equipment

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'Signal of Hope' Fund to Support the Resumption of Tohoku Fisheries
(Not-for-profit General Incorporated Foundation)

Representative Director

Yukio Okamoto

Director

Yoshio Fujiwara

Director

Kunihiko Miyake

Office

Taizo Akabane

　

Kenichi Kaga

　

Shingo Kanzaki

　

Mitsunori Ohi

　

Yoshiko Sawafuji

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The Committee to Support the Early Resumption of the Tohoku Fishery (Support Committee) has been established to support the Project. The 'Signal of Hope' Fund will manage the Project based on the advice of this committee.

Norifumi Ide

Director-General, Maritime Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Toru Nakata

Director-General, Road Transport Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Hiroshi Hayashida

Director-General, Ports and Harbors Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Masanori Sato

Director-General, Japan Fisheries Agency

Hideo Kayahara

Honorary Chairman, Ports and Harbours Association of Japan

Toshinori Yamashita

Senior Managing Corporate Officer, NYK.

Yasuhito Hirota

Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Corporation

Yukio Okamoto

Representative Director, Signal of Hope Fund

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The 'Signal of Hope' logo

The logo conveys an image of fishing boats journeying purposefully on the north-eastern ocean. The blue of 'hope' and red of 'signal' are colours that, in combination, represent brightness shining amidst the extremely difficult circumstances in the disaster-hit areas. The ‘paper cut’ design and robust characters used in the logo express the strength with which we are aiming towards recovery. With the hoisting of the 'signal' of the recovery of the fishing industry, we wish to see the emergence of hope for those working in the fisheries and marine products industries.

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Dec. 14, 2011 Three containers - the first for Fukushima Prefecture - arrive in Soma city

Three containers - the first for Fukushima Prefecture - arrive in Soma city

Although it suffered great damage, little by little, the catch of fishing boats from outside the prefecture has been coming in.
We hope the day will come soon when the ports return to the way they were, busy and full of life.

Nov. 16, 2011 Converted freezer containers being used in innovative ways! 2.Ishinomaki City

Converted freezer containers being used in innovative ways! 2.Ishinomaki City

Mobile racks are set up inside the container so that all trays inside can be equally chilled, and trays right at the back of the container are easy to take out.

Nov. 15, 2011 Refrigerated containers being used in innovative ways! 1.Miyako City

Refrigerated containers being used in innovative ways! 1.Miyako City

A simplified ice-making machine is set up on the roof of a refrigerated container. The system involves ice dropping into the container through hole that has been made in the container's roof.

Nov. 5, 2011 Converted freezer containers in use in Ishinomaki City

Converted freezer containers in use in Ishinomaki City.
In Ishinomaki City, converted freezer containers are being used to test-freeze squid and salmon in cartons. The results have been excellent.

Oct. 20, 2011 Donated equipment in use at the Ofunato Fishing Cooperative

Donated equipment in use at the Ofunato Fishing Cooperative.
Refrigerated containers and forklifts being used at the Ofunato Fishing Cooperative.

Oct. 20, 2011 Refrigerated containers help supply crushed ice in Minamisanriku town

With connection of refrigerated containers in Minamisanriku Town to the electricity grid, these containers are now being used to store ice.
Together with an ice-crushing machine placed alongside, these containers have become a system for providing crushed ice to the nearby fish market.

Oct. 18, 2011 Converted freezer containers handed over at a ceremony in Ofunato city

Work to convert refrigerated containers into freezer containers has been completed in Ofunato city. The converted freezer containers were handed over at a ceremony attended by local officials, fishermen and corporate supporters.

Oct. 17, 2011 Refrigerated containers being used for salmon at Shizugawa Fishing Port in Minamisanriku town

Refrigerated containers being used for salmon at Shizugawa fishing port in Minamisanriku town.
The salmon Fishing season is in fullswing at Shizugawa Fishing Port.
The refrigerated containers are proving very useful as storage facilities for ice.

Oct. 15, 2011 Yamada Town starts using refrigerated containers to store ice

Following the re-connection of Yamada Town to the main electricity grid, the town started using refrigerated containers to store ice. The fish market will re-open on 20 October.

Sep. 9, 2011 Delivery of Forklifts to Ishinomaki City

Forklifts were delivered to Ishinomaki City on September 9th.

Sep. 9, 2011 Onagawa Town's Fishing Cooperative uses a refrigerated container as its temporary office

The tsunami swept away the office of Onagawa Town's Fishing Cooperative. While the port awaits reconnection to the town's main electricity supply, the cooperative is using the refrigerated container donated by the 'Signal of Hope' project as a temporary office.

Sep. 9, 2011 Fixed Net Fishing in Onagawa Town

Although this year’s catch in Onagawa Town is significantly down on that of the previous year, little by little the port and market’s old energy is returning, which in turn is bringing great encouragement to everyone. Forklifts donated by the ‘Signal of Hope' Fund are proving a great help to the fisheries in Onagawa Town.

Sep. 8, 2011 Update on the Refrigerated Containers in Minamisanriku Town

On August 4th, refrigerated containers were delivered to Minamisanriku Town. The current ban on salmon fishing in the area is due to be lifted on September 26th and work to restore electricity supply to the port is scheduled forSeptember 20th in preparation for the re-opening of the salmon fishery. Fifty ships are scheduled to depart the port (compared to 100 ships last year.) Landing of this season's first catch of salmon is scheduled for around midday on the 26th. We pray for a great catch!

Sep. 8, 2011 Refrigerated Containers and Converted Freezer Containers Delievered to Ofunato City

On August 30th, refrigerated containers and converted freezer containers were delivered to Ofunato City. Installation of blower fans in the converted freezer containers has been completed and the containers are now awaiting re-connection of electricity supply to the port (currently scheduled to occur within 7-10 days) so that they can be brought into use.

Sep. 2, 2011 Forklifts Delivered to Miyako City and Kesennuma City

Forklifts were delivered to Miyako City on August 30th and to Kesennuma City on September 2nd.

Aug. 22, 2011 'Signal of Hope' Fund Project Commences Full-Scale Activities

20 Major Private Companies Support Early Resumption of Sanriku Region Fisheries.
'Signal of Hope' Fund Project Commences Full-Scale Activities
Refrigerated and converted freezer containers handed over prior to the commencement of the saury fishing season.

The 'Signal of Hope' Fund project delivered donations of 13 refrigerated containers and 12 converted freezer containers to Onagawa Town and Ishinomaki City. Such equipment is vital to the swift recovery of the fishing industry at ports devastated by the March tsunami. On August 22nd, ceremonies to mark the donations were held in both Onagawa Town and Ishinomaki City. With only a few weeks before the start of the saury (mackerel pike) fishing season in September, the ‘Signal of Hope' Fund was able to officially commence full-scale activities through providing this critical equipment. The project will continue to provide necessary equipment to other fishing ports in the Tohoku coastal region over the coming months.

August 22, 2011
‘Signal of Hope’ Fund to Support the Resumption of Tohoku Fisheries

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