Tsunami-hit, cold-climate Ishinomaki hangs hope on olive growing english.kyodonews.net

Although Ishinomaki does not have a Mediterranean climate suitable for growing olives, production has been increasing steadily.
But Ishinomaki government officials say there was more to growing olive than just finding a new way to make a living.
The cultivation started in 2014 after Arai Olive Co., an olive producing firm in Shodoshima, accepted the city's request for technical cooperation.
Ishinomaki's first olive oil production facility with an Italian-made oil press was completed in November.
That may become a main tourist attraction, which would mean I can contribute to my hometown by growing olives," Chiba said.