FEATURE: Japan volunteer car lending program set to mark 15 years since 2011 tsunami

TOKYO - When Japan's March 2011 tsunami swept away tens of thousands of cars in Ishinomaki, many survivors later relocated to temporary housing found themselves cut off from hospitals, shops and other essential services -- inspiring a car lending program that marks its 15th anniversary this year.

The program was launched in October 2011 by Takehiko Yoshizawa, 47, a Hyogo Prefecture native who traveled to Ishinomaki in Miyagi Prefecture as a volunteer following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan earlier that year.