'Future of Labour' project in Japan, Sept 2011

I am currently in Tokyo helping to run a Royal College of Art/ Tokyo University i-School/ Tohoku University workshop entitled 'the future of labour' in response to the earthquake and tsunami disaster of March this year. Last week we visited the area around Kesennuma city. Our arrival in the area was shocking even though we'd seen the media coverage - nothing could have prepared us for the sheer force and scale of the distruction which was evident immediately. Cars had been crunched like aluminium foil; buildings tumbled away or shattered leaving bare foundations; ships were lifted into city centres; fire damage added even more to the misery and decimated homes, businesses and communities. Evidence of bent steel girders and columns showed the raw power of the tsunami. But ultimately the most moving insight was the evidence of people and their lives - bicycles, shoes, children's cuddly toys, trading cards...

Within a short time our immersion has made us even more determined that this visit and workshop must deliver tangible positive ideas for the future of this beautiful area. More on this soon...