Japan: 200 Bicycles Provided to Junior and Senior High Schools in Ishinomaki City

Securing the Means to Go to School

Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, was devastated by the March 11^th earthquake. Months later, some of the city’s train and bus lines have yet to be restored, and although some students were driven to school by their parents during the spring semester, the daily drive has been a burden on families, as all Japanese students normally walk, ride bicycles, or take public transport. In addition, many students transferred from emergency shelters to temporary housing during the summer vacation, moving them even further from their schools.

Managing junior and senior high school students’ means of transport became a major issue as  the new semester approached in September. In response, AAR JAPAN delivered a total of 200 bicycles to 5 junior and senior high schools in Ishinomaki City: Ishinomaki Municipal Girls’ Senior High School, Ishinomaki Senior High School, Ishinomaki Kobunkan Senior High School, Ishinomaki Kita Senior High School, and Ishinomaki Municipal Inai Junior High School.



Pleased with the bicycles they have received, two students offer V-signs.



On August 19^th, a bicycle presentation ceremony was held at Ishinomaki Municipal Girls’ Senior High School, with principals, vice-principals, teachers and students from the five schools in attendance. Mr. Bruce R. BAILLIE, Representative Director of Rolex Japan Co., Ltd., on behalf of Rolex Co., Ltd. in Switzerland, Fusako YANASE, President of AAR JAPAN, and Tadamasa FUKIURA, Special Advisor to AAR JAPAN, also took part in the ceremony.

Ceremony participants in front of Ishinomaki Municipal Girls’ Senior High School. At front right of center is Mr. MIKUNI, Principal of Ishinomaki Municipal Girls’ Senior High School. Front left of center is Mr. BAILLIE, Representative Director of Rolex Japan Co., Ltd. Front third from left is Fusako YANASE, President of AAR JAPAN. Back third from left is Tadamasa FUKIURA, Special Advisor to AAR JAPAN.

 “We’ll Do Our Best to Make the Most of our School Lives, Both in Class and in Club Activities.”

The students were thoroughly pleased with the bicycles they received. This project was realized through a donation from Rolex Co., Ltd. in Switzerland, with support from Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd., the Miyagi Prefectural Rifle Association, and the Inai Oyaji Group. We express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who helped make this project possible.



                                                             Sayako NOGIWA, head of AAR JAPAN’s Tohoku office

Worked at AAR JAPAN since April 2005. Engaged in a number of emergency assistance operations, including the Myanmar cyclone in 2008, the Sumatra earthquake in 2009, the Pakistan floods in 2010, and others. Entered the disaster area 2 days after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and has worked as the head of the Tohoku office for the emergency assistance team.



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