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History of Coastal Erosion and Disaster Prevention Measures along the Sendai Bay Coast - From the 1990s to the 2020s 1990s: Worsening Coastal Erosion and Initial Countermeasures Along the Sendai Bay coast in Miyagi Prefecture, damage from long-term wave erosion and storm surges worsened, causing significant shoreline retreat. Particularly around Matsushima Bay, along the coasts of Ishinomaki City, Yamamoto Town, and Iwanuma City, the disappearance of sandy beaches was progressing, impacting fisheries, tourism, and the living environment of local residents. In response, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and Miyagi Prefecture collaborated to initiate countermeasures aimed at suppressing coastal erosion and strengthening wave-breaking functions. In 1997, the "Southern Sendai Bay Coast Directly Administered Coastal Protection Facility Improvement Project" commenced, planning reinforcement of seawalls and the installation of artificial reefs and of
fshore breakwaters. Sand replenishment (sand supply) was also introduced experimentally to prevent erosion. Simultaneously, research observing sediment movement around coastal structures along the southern Sendai Bay coast progressed, accumulating foundational data for effective erosion countermeasures. This revealed changes in sand movement patterns caused by the installation of structures and highlighted the necessity for long-term erosion countermeasures. 2010s: The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Restoration of Disaster Prevention Forests The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake caused catastrophic damage to many areas along the Sendai Bay coastline due to the tsunami. In particular, the disaster prevention forests stretching from Wakabayashi Ward in Sendai City to Natori City, Iwanuma City, and Yamamoto Town were washed away, significantly amplifying the tsunami's impact. Following the disaster, under the leadership of the Forestry Agency, efforts to regenerate the disa
ster prevention forests progressed, achieving widespread vegetation recovery by the 2020s. Furthermore, as part of the post-disaster reconstruction plan, the Tohoku Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism expanded the "Sendai Bay Southern Coast Directly Administered Coastal Protection Facility Improvement Project," advancing the reinforcement of coastal disaster prevention facilities to prevent recurrence of tsunami damage. This included the installation of new, highly wave-resistant seawalls, strengthening defenses against storm surges and tsunamis. 2020s: Impacts of Climate Change and New Challenges Entering the 2020s, sea level rise due to climate change and the frequent occurrence of extreme weather events emerged as new challenges along the Sendai Bay coast. A Miyagi Prefecture survey indicated that erosion rates were accelerating, particularly along the coastlines of Yamamoto Town and Iwanuma City, making it increasing
ly difficult for existing seawalls and artificial reefs to provide adequate protection. To address this, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) developed new monitoring technologies and introduced systems capable of analyzing the progression of coastal erosion in real time. Furthermore, environmentally conscious construction methods for coastal preservation have been adopted, exploring countermeasures that leverage natural resilience rather than relying solely on concrete structures. Companies such as Mitsubishi Materials and Kajima Corporation are also working on developing sustainable disaster prevention infrastructure along the Sendai Bay coast, advancing the introduction of new technologies. For example, sand beach stabilization technology using special resins and coastal ecosystem restoration projects utilizing seaweed are being introduced on a trial basis.

Future Outlook Coastal erosion and disaster prevention measures along the Sendai Bay coastline have been continuously addressed throughout history. Starting with initial countermeasures in the 1990s, progress has been made while facing new challenges in each era: post-Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction, and climate change adaptation in the 2020s. Going forward, strengthening sustainable coastal management and disaster prevention measures will be required, while deepening cooperation with local residents and fishing industry stakeholders.