Lives on hold

Lives on hold by Teo Jion Chun

Nearly 16,000 people live in temporary housing in Ishinomaki. The complexes are filled with two and three room units, much smaller than where residents used to live, and they often complain about a lack of privacy because of paper-thin walls. Social workers say this can cause frustration, anxiety and feelings of uncertainty. Many elderly residents shut themselves in, and suicide rates are up.

Go-Far 2013 / Ishinomaki / Japan / Picking Up The Pieces

COMMUNITY SPIRIT has helped residents ride out this tough period. Mrs Nobuko Abe, 69, said: If there were no friendship or community support, the lives of the people staying here would be much more difficult.

Go-Far 2013 / Ishinomaki / Japan / Picking Up The Pieces

A PHOTO ESSAY BY TEO JION CHUN

In Ohashi district, some 1,000 people live in these 450 units. They share the same hope to eventually move to a permanent home of their own. In the meantime, communal activities conducted by volunteers help patch frayed nerves, keep residents busy and bring this once fiercely independent community together.

MR ABE Shinchi and his family have been staying in the temporary housing complex since losing their house in the tsunami. Despite his leg injury, the 69-year-old is very active in the community, participating in many of its activities.

Lives on hold by Teo Jion Chun

DINNER TIME is late because Mr Shinosuke Abe (left), 37, works long hours. The administrator in an agricultural firm said he used to stay in a house with seven rooms, but he had to squeeze into this two-room unit with his parents after the tsunami.

(Top) TWICE-WEEKLY karaoke sessions are held in one of the rooms at the community hall. Ms Yani Hiro (standing) is a regular who enjoys singing with the friends she made in this community. (Right) GROUP WORKOUTS are organised by volunteers with the aim of helping residents stay active. Mr Shinya Yamazaki, 77, chief of the temporary housing complex (left, striped shirt), heads Mens Club, an initiative to encourage male residents to step out of their units.

SPACE TO play is hard to find in a temporary housing complex. But imagination has no bounds for Yoshida Miziki, five, as the carpark transforms into her playground.