After fire, back to the waterーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts

Saganoseki: A coastal district in Oita City, Japan, renowned for its high-quality fishing industry.
Ippon Zuri: A traditional, sustainable fishing method involving hand-lining to catch individual fish.
Seki Mackerel/Horse Mackerel: Premium fish brands native to the region, known for their superior fat content and freshness.
Disaster Recovery: The process of rebuilding personal and professional lives following a large-scale residential fire.

The Saganoseki Fishing Industry

Saganoseki is a vital hub for Japan’s fishing industry, generating an annual catch value exceeding 520 million yen (approximately 3.3 million USD). The region is famous for its "Seki" brand mackerel and horse mackerel. The industry relies on traditional techniques, such as ippon zuri, which emphasizes quality and precision over mass-harvesting methods.

The 2023 Residential Fire

In November 2023, Saganoseki experienced one of the most significant residential fires in Japan in recent decades, resulting in the destruction of 196 buildings.

Impact on Individuals: Nagakura Kazuhisa, a 38-year-old professional fisher who moved to the area from Kobe 12 years ago, lost his home and all his professional fishing gear in the blaze.
Community Response: Despite the immediate danger, Nagakura prioritized the safety of his neighbors, alerting them to evacuate before focusing on his own survival.
Psychological Toll: Following the fire, Nagakura faced severe mental strain. He attempted to continue working using borrowed equipment but found it impossible to focus, noting, "I wasn't in the right mental state to do my job." He feared that his distraction would lead to a workplace accident, prompting him to pause his career temporarily.

The Path to Recovery

The recovery process was gradual, facilitated by community support and a shift in personal motivation.

Rebuilding: After moving out of a local shelter at the start of the new year, Nagakura and his family received household items from friends and acquaintances, allowing them to establish a new home.
The Turning Point: The catalyst for Nagakura’s return to the sea was a simple request from his son, Takeshi, who expressed a desire to eat fresh fish (specifically seared cuttlefish and yellowtail shabu-shabu). This interaction shifted Nagakura’s mindset, leading him to resume fishing on February 1st—two and a half months after the fire.
Community Resilience: In mid-March, the local fishing festival saw a record turnout of 5,000 attendees—double the usual attendance—signaling strong public support for the town's recovery.

Perspectives on Sustainability and Future

Nagakura emphasizes the importance of the younger generation in maintaining the local fishing industry. He argues that if young people abandon the town, the industry will collapse. His commitment to returning to the sea is driven by a sense of duty to the community and a desire to ensure the survival of Saganoseki’s fishing heritage.

Notable Quote: "Everyone here is doing their best to move forward with recovery. So, I can't be the only one looking backward." — Nagakura Kazuhisa.

Synthesis

The story of Nagakura Kazuhisa serves as a microcosm for the broader recovery of Saganoseki. While the fire caused catastrophic material loss, the resilience of the fishing community was bolstered by mutual aid and the necessity of maintaining local traditions. By transitioning from a state of trauma to one of active participation in the town's economic revival, Nagakura highlights the vital link between personal recovery and the preservation of regional industries.