Kōtoku Wamura

was a Japanese politician who was the mayor of Fudai in Iwate Prefecture from 1947 to 1987. He was credited with creating the floodgates that saved the village of Fudai, Iwate from the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Biography Wamura was born in Fudai in 1909. He attended Morioka Junior High School, now Morioka First High School, and later studied at Keio Gijuku. He returned to Fudai after suffering from poor health and subsequently worked for the Iwate prefectural government.

Wamura personally experienced the tsunami caused by the 1933 Sanriku earthquake. Fudai records 137 victims from the disaster. In his later memoir, Wamura recalled witnessing bodies being recovered from debris following the tsunami, an experience that influenced his subsequent commitment to tsunami protection.

Written works

A 40-Year Fight Against Poverty (; Hinbō to no tatakai yonjūnen) (1988), Wamura's memoir of his years in Fudai and municipal government.