It has been 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake. While the restoration has progressed with a ton of support from home and abroad, there is still a long way to go for a full recovery. Here we will deliver essays and columns of people involved in football, reflecting on their own experience and perspective on the Great East Japan Earthquake.

In our sixth column, we will share the interview of Ms. IWASHIMIZU Azusa who is the only female player on the “J.League Players with Tohoku Spirit” to reflect on the memories of 11 March.

There are not many childhood memories from Tohoku. However, she is deeply rooted in Iwate prefecture. Born at her father's parents' home in Takizawa, her mother is also from the neighbouring Morioka. Before turning one year old, she moved to Sagamihara, Kanagawa with her parents. But still considered Takizawa as her hometown at heart. This is probably because her grandparents always warmly welcomed her at Takizawa.

On 11 March 2011, the Nadeshiko Japan made their return from Portugal after participating in the Algarve Cup. Following her duty with the Japan National Team, Iwashimizu headed straight to the departure gate at Narita Airport to participate in a tournament at Korea Republic with her club Nippon TV Beleza (current Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza).

It wasn't until she arrived in Korea Republic that she learned about the big earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan. A local person told her in broken Japanese, but she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She honestly thought it cannot be true.

She contacted her parents in Kanagawa and learned that they couldn't get a hold of her grandparents. Fortunately, she was able to confirm their safety after making an international call. However, she had to wait about a week to return to Japan.

There was an urge to do something, but she didn’t know how to take action. That was when a group of J.League players including OGASAWARA Mitsuo asked her to join the “Tohoku Spirit.” Since then, as the only female footballer to support the group, she has been interacting with children through football in the affected areas.

“I feel very fortunate to be invited by Mitsuo-san. To be honest, at that time, we female athletes alone did not have the power nor the know-how to provide support. I was able to get involved smoothly because they had a solid foundation.”

It goes without saying that girls play with boys at the primary school level in Japan. The presence of Iwashimizu as a female coach played a major role in shortening the distance with the girls.

In June, three months after the earthquake, Iwashimizu left for Germany to participate in the FIFA Women's World Cup as a member of the Nadeshiko Japan. On her way to Germany, a JFA staff told her that football associations of numerous countries have made generous contributions for Japan. To show their gratitude, it was decided that the team would put up a banner with a thank you message after each match.

The message of gratitude sent to the world by the members of Nadeshiko Japan was uninterrupted until the end of the tournament. The team’s existence was quickly recognised around the world, coupled with their dramatic victory over the United States at the tournament final. It was one of the few bright spots in a difficult year that could be called a national crisis in Japan. Many messages were sent to Iwashimizu through SNS. “It was very encouraging.” Seeing such messages, she felt a pleasant feeling she never felt before.

She forgot where she met the girl but remembered telling her to “Do your best.” Nearly seven years later, the two were reunited, as the girl came to Yomiuri Land to try-out for Beleza’s academy team.

“She continued to work hard and strived to reach a higher level.. Although she didn’t make it through the try-out for Menina, I heard that she was selected into the youth team of Vegalta Sendai (current Mynavi Sendai Ladies). I like to think that the football exchanges we conducted had a great influence on the children, and that is why it makes this event one of the most impressive event for me.”

Now that Iwashimizu has become a mother, she has become more aware of natural disasters. How are you preparing yourself for such events? How do you protect your family?

“11 March comes every year. Please remember what happened in Tohoku and think about your own safety.”

Preparing for a disaster. It is difficult to stay alerted at all times, but occasional awareness can change future outcomes.