As part of the FC Tokyo Players' Association activities, we visited Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture, from Dec 11 (Thu) to Dec 12 (Fri), 2025.
This time, with the cooperation of Iwaki FC, we toured the earthquake disaster site (Ukedo Elementary School) and the difficult-to-return zones in Okuma Town on Dec 11 (Thu), providing an opportunity to learn about the situation at the time of the disaster and the current state of reconstruction.
Also, on Dec 12 (Fri), we visited Tomioka Elementary School. Our exchange with Tomioka Elementary School has been ongoing since 2019, and this marks the 7th time (in 2020 and 2021, exchanges were conducted online or through letters of encouragement only).
□Dec 11 (Thu)
Accompanied by the Iwaki FC front staff, we visited the disaster site of Ukedo Elementary School, observing the conditions at the time of the earthquake and learning about the situation back then.
Afterwards, by seeing and experiencing the difficult-to-return zones in Ōkuma Town and the area around Futaba Station with our own eyes, we gained insights that cannot be obtained through classroom learning alone and were able to understand the current state of reconstruction.
□ Dec 12 (Fri)
We interacted with about 80 students from 1st to 6th grade at Tomioka Town Tomioka Elementary School.
The participating players planned recreational games and mini-games the day before, creating a time full of smiles.
Also, sharing the players' association's desire to continue such reconstruction support and to prevent the memories of the earthquake from fading, Kiichi YAJIMA, who belongs to Fukushima United FC and visited the same school as the players' association president during the 2019 reconstruction support activities, also participated this time.
□Participating Players
Kota TOKIWA, Wataru GOTO, Taiyo YAMAGUCHI
Kiichi YAJIMA (Fukushima United FC) also participated
□Player Comments (Excerpt)
・Kota Tokiwa
What I felt upon coming to Fukushima this time was that, honestly, I didn’t know much about the earthquake disaster, the damage situation, or what the current state is, and I felt that I was truly lacking in knowledge. For my personal growth as a human being, I strongly believe that I need to pay more attention to society on my own, take action on the issues, and continue learning.
As a professional soccer player, I believe it is meaningless to just "know" this reality and stop there. How we convey this experience is what becomes important.
I heard the story that the students of Ukedo Elementary School evacuated by crossing Mt. Ohirayama in the dark while it was snowing. Even though I was a second grader in Tokyo at the time, I felt that the earthquake was "an incredibly big earthquake." I still remember feeling relieved when I saw my parents' faces after rushing home. I think there were children in Fukushima who could not see their families for a night in the darkness and cold. I was very surprised by the mental strength of those children, which did not make me feel that they had such experiences.
I believe that true recovery means the people who lived there return, and the community is once again filled with smiles like before the earthquake. In that sense, I feel that recovery will still take time. I want to make use of this experience to prepare for disasters that could happen at any time, think about what I should do, and, using my position as an FC Tokyo player, engage in activities that raise awareness about the earthquake.
・Wataru GOTO
This was my second visit, but I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the situation in Fukushima Prefecture. Seeing and feeling the vivid scenes of the disaster at Ukedo Elementary School made me realize the extent of the damage and weighed heavily on my heart. In particular, witnessing the reality that even after more than 10 years, there are still areas and people who cannot return home was truly heartbreaking.
However, the local people and everyone at Tomioka Elementary School, with whom we interacted through soccer and other activities, were cheerful and lively, and I felt it was a great place. Above all, interacting with the children was very enjoyable!
I want to make sure this experience does not just end as a "good memory," but that I continue to maintain a sense of urgency in my daily life and keep taking action.
・Taiyo YAMAGUCHI
Visiting the places in Fukushima Prefecture affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, I felt the harsh reality firsthand, which was completely different from what I had seen in videos.
Even though time has passed since the earthquake, seeing with my own eyes that there are still people suffering and areas that remain off-limits truly tightened my chest.
Right now, as a soccer player, the only thing I can do is bring joy on the pitch. That is precisely why I want to give my utmost on the field and be able to deliver courage and smiles to people, even if just a little. Then, when many people come to know me and I gain influence, I want to use this experience to communicate to society and be able to help in some way.
I will not keep the feelings and lessons learned from this visit to myself, but will actively share them with many people, striving to create opportunities for many to become aware of the current situation.
