Tsunami-hit Sendai Faces Uncertain Future

CNN - March 13, 2011 3:34 a.m. EDT

While far from the country's manufacturing heartland that lies to the south and west of Tokyo, Sendai is a regional hub with six universities around the city, which have helped develop the region's technological industries.

Miyagi prefecture has tried to diversify its industries away from agriculture and fishing to attract and keep a younger and educated workforce.

The regional government also has been trying to make the area's traditional industries of farming and fishing more attractive to a younger population, but across Japan approximately three fifths of farmers are over 65.

The destruction of fishing and agriculture infrastructure may compound the difficulties the industries face, although there may be a shorter term boost, says analysts, from the Japanese government greatly increasing public spending to rebuild.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/13/japan.quake.sendai/index.html