A cafe backed by Japanese actor Ken Watanabe for about 12 years is set to close in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, on Sunday. The port city has been recovering from the devastating tsunami triggered by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Watanabe expressed hope to continue his support in new ways.
In Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, the K-port cafe supported by actor Ken Watanabe is closing after about 12 years of operation. The involvement began around six months after the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake tsunami, when Watanabe met Ryuji Ando, a 60-year-old fish wholesaler in the city. Moved by Ando's vision to rebuild his shop on a new coastal plot and open an adjacent cafe as a community gathering spot, Watanabe agreed to serve as the cafe's owner.
The cafe opened near Kesennuma Port in November 2013. The 'K' in its name stands for Kesennuma, as well as Ken, kokoro (heart), and kizuna (bonds). Watanabe visited roughly every two months to serve customers, clear tables, and engage with patrons; he also sent handwritten fax messages almost daily.
On Saturday, a long line formed before the 10 a.m. opening. Watanabe greeted customers, led them to seats, served food, and posed for photos while signing autographs. Regular patron Hiroshi Oyama, 75, a city resident, said, 'Through this cafe, I felt like I could connect with Ken-san. It was a place that supported me emotionally,' lamenting the closure.
Ando expressed gratitude, noting, 'Mr. Watanabe was one of the first to get involved in this town that lost everything to the tsunami.' Last month, Watanabe announced the closure on social media, stating, 'Given my age, I’ve been thinking constantly about how to engage with this port town.' In a Saturday interview, the 66-year-old added, 'I hope the younger generation can keep this building and the spirit alive and start something new here.' Grinning, he said, 'I want to stay connected to Kesennuma, unless someone tells me to stop.'
The cafe has served as a bright symbol in the community's recovery efforts.