Two Japanese men, Yasuo Takamatsu and Masaaki Narita, regularly dive in Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, searching for their loved ones lost in the 2011 tsunami. Despite the low likelihood of finding them, the search provides a sense of purpose. The tsunami's devastation left the town of Onagawa with over 5,000 buildings destroyed and nearly one in ten residents dead or missing. The article recounts the experiences of bank employees during the tsunami, including Yasuo's wife, Yuko, and Masaaki's daughter, Emi. The town has begun to rebuild, but for many, the emotional scars remain. The men's diving efforts are part of a broader struggle to cope with loss and find closure.

Tsuki Ayano, after moving back to her home village of Nagoro in southern Japan from Osaka, began creating human-sized dolls to represent the dwindling population. Reporter Hiromi Tanoue visited Nagoro to meet Ayano and learn about her unique project.