Japanese Tsunami

Callum Farquhar was the guest speaker at Rotary Club of West Fife talking on the subject of the 2011 tsunami that hit the east coast of Japan.  Callum described in some detail, the events which unfolded. In particular, Callum was also able to describe how the local Scout group at Cairneyhill has strong links with the affected area, and the work which the local group has done to restore Scouting in one of the affected towns.  

As a result taking scouts from all over Scotland there, Callum knew the area around Kamaishi, Iwate for the last 30 years and he described both the tsunami and the impressive rebuilding of the area.

Kamaishi Timeline

11/03/11 tsunami hit, epicentre was 70km offshore but it as the largest earthquake ever to hit Japan.

1857 iron furnaces opened.

1896 tsunami totally demolished the town

1945 14 US warships destroyed the ironworks

1960 another tsunami destroyed much of the city

Early warning systems in place with a 45 minute warning. 

2010 world record breakwater 2km x 63m (cost $650m to rebuild)

2011 1250 residents killed by tsunami, wave was colossal, cars swept away. In Yamada the next town down the devastation was greater.

The miracle was that only five school age children died and they were not at school. All children at the schools ran to the top of the hill. That prompt response to the urgent situation was the fruit of a tsunami reaction programme credited to a professor of civil engineering.

His assumption was not to put too much faith in assumptions and previous heights. Advice was to keep running, don’t wait for anyone else. 

The ‘Miracle of Kamaishi’ came about with the participation of all inhabitants. This contrasts with 70% of children in a school in a northern city dying. The children who ran and survived it was not a miracle but claim that it was because they practised. 

Most harrowing experience for the Scottish scouts was seeing total destruction of houses/ homes that they had previously stayed in.  Cairneyhill Beaver Scouts and Cubs replaced all the scout regalia for their Japanese counterparts. 

Callum showed before and after rebuilding photographs that demonstrated the work done and measures taken to try and minimise potential future tsunamis.  Town was rebuilt 20 metres higher.  

Site of two schools was used to build a sports stadium that was used in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Project was used as a target to progress and use the stadium as a memorial for all those who lost their lives. 

The vote of thanks on behalf of the club was given by Past President Sandy Paton.  He described it as “one of the best ever talks packed full of facts and lessons to be learned - an illustration of just how talks should be.”