The MIT Japan 3.11 Initiative was MIT’s response to the March 2011 triple disaster in Japan.
This Initiative, established by the MIT-Japan Program at the Center for International Studies, provided a mechanism for faculty and student exchange between MIT and universities in the Tohoku region for the study and implementation of disaster-resilient planning. Former MIT President Susan Hockfield challenged us to take an “MIT-like initiative” to assist our Japanese colleagues and expected that the Initiative would “do something impactful and important in helping the country recover from the 3.11 catastrophes.”
From 2011 through 2014, Tané Valley in Shiga Prefecture served as the base of operations for the MIT Japan 3.11 Initiative: Disaster-Resilient Planning, Design & Reconstruction from the MIT Japan Program at the MIT Center for International Studies.
Although the program is currently concluded, we have remained connected with communities in Tohoku and stand in solidarity with them as recovery continues.
Read our reflection on the 10th anniversary of 3.11.
See the MIT Japan 3.11 Initiative website and Facebook page for more information.
Photo by Matt Bunza