Mar 29

JET Prefecture Round-Up 03.23.11

JET Prefecture Round-up, Uncategorized Comments Off on JET Prefecture Round-Up 03.23.11

Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.  To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.

My task on JETwit is to “give a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.” In this unprecedented time, what exactly are JETs doing around Japan? That depends a very great deal on where those JETs live.

JETs everywhere have spent time reassuring their families back home as well as fellow JETs; they have been sharing information and putting together emergency kits. They have been donating money and giving blood.

Normally I will be posting short descriptions and links for events and activities going on in different prefectures around Japan. But I want to give a slightly more general impression of how it feels out here, especially in unaffected Japan where I am lucky enough to reside. Because the JET placement process is something in which we all have very little say, it’s almost by total random chance that we all are where we are. We could just as easily have been in any prefecture; these disasters could just as easily have come at any time. It is a scary thought for JETs who, though they perhaps did not know Taylor Anderson personally, still have a pretty good grasp on what her daily life must have been like. JETs in unaffected regions struggle with finding the balance between the fact that life goes on as usual, and that nothing will ever be the same.

Akita JETs continue to collect and move supplies into the affected area. Other, more distant prefectures are following suit, although the farther we are from the disaster (and, therefore, the less affected by it), the more time and organizational effort it takes to get our stuff to Tohoku. JETs are still giving where and when they can, at post offices, at combini, and into donation boxes to be found in virtually every place of business. They wait and keep one eye on the internet for news about volunteer opportunities.

At the same time, especially in the parts of Japan where not so much as a tremor was felt, life does appear at first to go on more or less as usual. Some events are canceled (Himeji Castle’s big hanami party, for example). But our students still graduate, and those who didn’t still go to club activities. JETs are faced with plans they made long ago, and in many cases the events I list are the things that JETs have chosen not to cancel. It is difficult to celebrate when others suffer, but perhaps it is also important.

So it’s strange, because life around here is about the earthquake, but it’s not.. Our students go to club activities, but they also put together clothing and towel drives. We do what we always did out here in unaffected Japan, but we also do more than that because we donate and worry and hope and mourn too.

Nationally (and beyond!)

Events By Region

Hokkaido

Kanto Region

Tokyo

  • The Tokyo Yamathon (fundraiser in which participants walk the Yamanote Line) will now be contributing all raised funds to the disaster relief efforts in Tohoku.

Chubu Region

Toyama

  • Toyama has organized a route for their participation in 5 to Survive!

Ishikawa

Kansai Region

Osaka

  • Kansai Cares – from March 29th to April 1st, Osaka AJET is collecting material donation for the Tohoku victims. Also, on April 1st, there will be a charity bar night to benefit Second Harvest Japan in their disaster efforts.
  • お花見 Hanami Party 〜いつも心に太陽と東北を〜 April 2nd, 12 to 5: Hanami at Osaka Castle Park to benefit the efforts in Tohoku

Hyogo

Chugoku Region

Tottori

Okayama


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