As part of FC Tokyo player association activities, we visited Tomioka Elementary and Junior High School in Futaba District, Fukushima Prefecture on December 13, 2024 (Friday), following last year's visit.
Visits to Tomioka Elementary and Junior High School have been conducted since 2019, and this will be the 6th time (2020 and 2021 were only online exchanges and exchange of encouragement letters).
For the children to interact, the participating players thought about the activities such as games and relays the day before and were able to have fun interacting with about 60 children on the day.
In the afternoon of the same day, I visited the Tomioka Archive Museum and learned about the situation of the earthquake through videos and exhibits. After that, I inspected the areas in Tomioka Town that were affected by the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident, and learned about the current state of reconstruction once again.
In addition, Kiichi YAJIMA, a player from Fukushima United FC who visited the school during the 2019 reconstruction support activities, also participated in this event, sympathizing with the players' desire to continue such support and not let the memory of the earthquake and tsunami fade away.
FC Tokyo Players' Association will continue these activities in the future.
□Participating Players
Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA, Ryunosuke SATO, Leon NOZAWA, Renta HIGASHI
Total of 4 players
※Kiichi YAJIMA (Fukushima United FC) also participated
□ Participating Player Comments (Excerpt)
・Tsuyoshi OGASHIWA
We were able to receive a lot of energy from the children at Tomioka Elementary School, and we were also able to prepare in advance and give them various experiences, so I think it was really good.
At the Tomioka Archive Museum, we learned that this town is loved by many people and that we are working hard for its recovery, so we thought it would be great if we could help with that.
We also think that Tokyo is our own city, so it has become an important motivation for us to cherish it.
・Leon NOZAWA
During the elementary school visit, I was able to have fun and play games and activities with many children, and I was also able to receive energy from them.
I hope to be able to play an active role in various places in the future as an adult and as a soccer player.
In the afternoon, we were able to learn by seeing and hearing about the details of the earthquake and the damage it caused. What left a strong impression on me was that this town is loved and many people are working hard for its recovery, and that the life we are living now is not something to be taken for granted. Through our activities this time, I hope we can convey our experiences as leaders.
・Renta HIGASHII had a great time interacting with the energetic students from Tomioka Elementary School.
I was happy that the elementary school students enjoyed the games and recreation we planned and implemented the day before, and it also gave me energy for the future. Experiencing the greatness of this activity firsthand, I thought I would like to continue it in the future as well.
One of the most impressive things at the Tomioka Archive Museum was the diary that described what the evacuees were doing and eating at the time.
I was able to understand the feelings of those who were evacuated at that time, and realized how fortunate we are to be able to play soccer and live our lives as if it were normal. I want to live every day with gratitude from now on.
・Ryunosuke SATO
I was able to visit Tomioka Elementary School and have a fun time exercising with energetic children.
In the afternoon, I visited the Tomioka Archive Museum to learn about the current situation in the disaster-stricken areas, and to experience the difficult conditions that were recreated at that time. I realized that we must not forget about this. And now, I want to play soccer while being grateful that we can do it as a matter of course.
