TOMODACHI Generation: Motomi Saito

Motomi Saito reflected on his journey and found new perspectives and connections to his work and life participating in the TOMODACHI FIRST program.

Born in Yamagata prefecture, Saito grew up helping his grandfather with his farming work until he decided to go to Tokyo to further his education. He studied Physics in Tokyo University of Science and the University of California. Saito was enjoying his urban life and exploring the world when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March 2011.

After the earthquake and tsunami, Saito decided to move to Kesennuma, Miyagi. Three weeks after the earthquake, Saito founded the Kesennuma Reconstruction Association (KRA), despite his lack of experience in starting his own business. His idea was to provide employment opportunities to at least 100 local people and for disaster victims to reconstruct their own town; a sustainable community that did not rely on resources outside the Tohoku area.

After several years, KRA provided employment to 350 local people. Saito decided to step down from his leadership position and currently serves as an advisor to KRA. As he pursues a sustainable and holistic life in the provincial area and in the future of Tohoku, he moved to Fukuoka, Kouge-machi where only 11 families live. He is exploring a sustainable lifestyle by farming, preserving local tradition, creating new communities and providing opportunities for people to experience life in the provincial area.

Saito believes in the importance of local communities, and that each community connects society to the nation. Saito is hoping to bring what he learned from living in Kouge-machi to Tohoku in the future. 

• To read about this program, click here