This study examines the reason why former residents barred from living in the Ukedo district; an area affected by the nuclear disaster, reinstated local festivals seven years after the Fukushima nuclear accident.
　　　The district in question was devastated by the tsunami that followed the 2011 earthquake in Japan's Tohoku region. The area was subsequently designated as a disaster hazard zone, which meant that residents were no longer allowed to live there. In addition, since Ukedo district is located within 10 kilometers of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, restrictions were placed on entering and working there. Even though former residents still consider the area their home after the disaster, most of the district has become vacant land, largely deserted.
　　　When residents return to their former homes while the land is vacant and uninhabited, there is little sense that their hometown still exists. Against this backdrop, the reinstatement of the festival becomes highly significant. First, the existence of the festival enabled former residents to gain a clear sense of the district’s existence. Moreover, as people saw the festival drawing near on the calendar, they were mindful of the district’s existence and acted accordingly.
　　　Because people can see that the festival is actually being held and can perceive the period before the accident occurred through their participation, former residents are reassured of the district’s existence even after the accident. It is noteworthy that there is a network among the former residents through the festival.This is a loose relationship between the former residents. The reason why the festival was held again was to make clear the existence of the district who could not return, and to maintain a loose network among the former residents of the district.

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