Japan Center for international Exchange (JCIE/USA) Facebook page and Relief Fund
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Notable JET Alums 
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Here’s a link to the Japan Center for International Exchange’s (JCIE/USA)
- Facebook page which may be a helpful resource for many
- Japan NGO Earthquake Relief & Recovery Fund (via Facebook)
Japan Center for International Exchange is an independent Japanese think tank focusing on US-Japan relations and issues. It’s worth noting that JET alum James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) is the Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) office in New York and has been playing a significant role in helping various Japan-related organizations to collaborate and coordinate fundraising efforts.
Just FYI, I got confirmation today that Montgomery “Monty” Dickson (Iwate-ken, Rikuzentakata-shi) (originally from Alaska) is in fact the only remaining missing JET. All other JETs have been accounted for.
Search efforts continue, and the JET and JET alumni communities continue to hope and pray.
Ganbatte kudasai, Monty, wherever you are.
Via a JET alum friend who has a colleague working in Tohoku:
“What is happening here is that among those affected by this disaster, hundreds of small self-help group are emerging in the shelters and elsewhere. This is really the resilience of Japanese people. Every day, TV program report those self-help volunteer group. Victims are helping each other, particularly those young people’s group are doing fantastic activities. However, I’m afraid that the fatigue syndrome will spread sooner or later and it is the time for the role of local NPOs to support those people become very important.”
Japan Times: How you can help – by JET alum Ashley Thompson
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A really helpful article in the Japan Times titled “How You Can Help” written by JET alum Ashley Thompson, who also writes survival tips and unique how-to’s about living in Japan at www.survivingnjapan.com. (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20110322a1.html)
A few readers have questions about donating supplies.
WA writes: “I have seen the tragic earthquake and tsunami incident that happened in Japan. I would love to donate food and clothes and help out as much as I can. Please tell me where I can send supplies.”
And JF: “We are a primary school in the U.K. with a new school logo and are therefore changing our school uniforms. We have an enormous amount of clothing: sweatshirts, polo shirts, etc. that we would like to donate.”
From IF: “I would like to find out a way to donate clothes and other articles to people in need in Japan. I live in Heidelberg, Germany.
“The items I have are in very good condition and others are new. Could you please tell me how to proceed?”
Right now, most organizations are strictly asking for monetary donations, not clothing or supplies. The general advice is to donate money to organizations that can quickly and easily locate and deliver necessary items to disaster-hit areas. Particularly if you live outside of Japan, the best way you can help is to donate money through a trusted charity of your choice, or one that is Japan-specific, such as the Japanese Red Cross Society, Salvation Army Japan, Oxfam Japan, JEN, Jhelp and Second Harvest Japan, to name a few. There are many more but most require Japanese- language ability to navigate online.
Cash and checks can also be sent by registered mail to The Japan Times Readers’ Fund, The Japan Times, 4-5-4 Shibaura, Minato Ward, Tokyo 108-8071, with checks payable to The Japan Times Readers’ Fund. Donations will be used to support the work of Red Cross Japan and the Japan Emergency Team, operated by Jhelp.
You may also want to search online for a group in your region that may have connections with an organization in Japan and is accepting supplies for donation. If you are currently in Japan, you can donate monetarily to any of the organizations above, an organization of your choice, or even through local convenience stores and similar venues. If you’d like to donate food or supplies, Second Harvest Japan is accepting a long list of items such as canned or packaged food, toilet paper, toiletries, over-the-counter medicines, sleeping bags, etc. You can find a comprehensive list and mailing address on the Second Harvest Japan websitee.
Jhelp is also accepting donations for food and certain supplies — see their website for more information. Also, try contacting your local prefectural office, city hall or volunteer office in Japan. Many places are collecting supplies such as blankets, diapers, and toiletries. Please do not deliver supplies yourself — this creates confusion, adds to traffic congestion, uses much-needed fuel, and makes it more difficult for relief supplies to reach disaster areas.
On the topic of monetary donations, DG writes: “I live in Toronto, Canada, and wish to send my sympathies and condolences for the loss of life and property to the Japanese people.
“I would also like to donate money to a relief effort. I know that some relief agencies are less principled than others, and divert funds to their own pockets. Are there any you would recommend?”
And PD is wondering: “I am seeking a small NGO based in Japan that is sending responders. As the leader of a national religious organization, it is my intent to send the funds we collect to Japan for use by Japanese responders.
“Can you help us identify a place where our funding could help a small group providing services to those in need? Perhaps a shelter, food operation or clinic?”
Whenever you donate money, you should ensure the organization is reputable, trustworthy and has a good track record. If looking for a “small” nonprofit organization, be extra careful and confirm it’s not a scam.
The best approach to finding a charitable organization that deserves your gift is to research and decide for yourself which organization is best. Charity Navigator/ provides listings of many charities with specific financial information and rankings. Though you won’t find Japan-specific organizations, many of these are accepting donations for the Japan relief effort or will donate directly to a Japanese charity (such as the Japanese Red Cross Society).
In addition to those mentioned earlier, other reputable and frequently recommended charities in Japan include Global Giving, Save the Children, World Vision, Mercy Corps and UNICEF. Some of these charities have financial information in English, but many do not. There are far more small organizations in Japan, but again, most require Japanese-language ability to navigate online.
Readers P and N write: “We are so sad at what has happened in Japan and we pray for the people every day.
“We are retired and have a spare room and could easily take in a small family until things settle down.”
And from RJ: “My family is concerned about the problems Japan is having with the nuclear accident, earthquake and tsunami.
“We are a family of four living in England: My wife and I have two boys, ages 19 and 12. We can offer a couple of spare rooms for a parent and child. This would just be for a few weeks until the situation is better.”
If you are not currently living in Japan, perhaps another form of giving might be a better idea (see above). While a generous offer, the logistics of moving people overseas temporarily are often more complicated and expensive than relocating to another part of Japan. Keep in mind too that most people will need housing for longer than a few weeks, especially if they were to go overseas.
If you are residing in Japan and have room to take in evacuees, you might try checking out the Couchsurfing group set up for the current crisis in Japan.
Note: There are subgroups within this Couchsurfing group for people in other countries to volunteer a place for evacuees to stay. Additionally, the Accommodate Japan Facebook group has listings of people around the world offering housing to evacuees, so they may be good to connect with.
Reader TM writes: “I would very much like to go to Japan to help. I can self-finance for many months, but would love to find a place to stay and some kind of organization to help with. What would you recommend?”
Currently, first-responders are doing their jobs and it’s best for untrained volunteers to stay where they are until the situation has been completely assessed. So, unless you are a medical professional or have disaster relief experience, for now, giving monetarily is the most helpful thing you can do.
Some general advice: Please, do not go to the disaster area alone or without an organization. After assessment is complete, and the disaster relief teams have done their work, organizations (such as Red Cross and others) will likely begin taking volunteers. This may be a few weeks to a couple months away, so best to watch for that.
For those living in Japan: If you are currently able to access the disaster areas or able to work on site, Jhelp ) is looking for volunteers.
The Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching, Smile Kids Japan and folks from Jetwit have compiled a list of prefectural volunteer organizations. Some prefectures are now accepting volunteers, while others have not yet posted volunteer information, but it may be possible to connect with one of these groups. Contacts are listed for some PVOs, but for general inquiries, contact Avalyn Beare or Michael Maher King at volunteer@ajet.net.
With the current power supply issues at Tokyo Electric Power Co. and in the Tohoku region, and with the government urging residents to conserve electricity, many people are wondering if they should be conserving electricity outside of the Kanto region (such as in Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, etc.)
As of now, Tepco has not needed to execute all planned blackouts due to residents and businesses decreasing electricity usage in the region. However, planned outages are still scheduled and will likely continue in the coming weeks.
According to the official websites of electric companies across west and southern Japan, which includes Kansai, Chubu, Chugoku, Kyushu, and Shikoku (no information for Hokuriku), all are covering the demand of their own regions and sending extra electricity to the Kanto region. However, west and east Japan use two different electric current frequencies, 60hz and 50hz, respectively, and as there are only three converter stations in the country, very little electricity can be converted and sent (Kansai Electric’s website says maximum capacity is 1,000,000 kw). Hokkaido is also supplying electricity for the Tohoku and Kanto regions, as they run on 50hz.
So, for residents of west Japan, conserving electricity during this time is certainly a good idea and highly encouraged, though it’s not necessary to take it to any extremes. Then again, it’s better for the environment to use as little electricity as possible, and a little easier on your bank account.
Japan Crisis Resource Guide: News Sites, Relief Organizations
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A thoughtful post by Florida-based news blogger Bill Lucey on the current situation in Japan, particularly with regard to the potential economic impact, along with a list of helpful news sites and relief organizations.
http://www.billlucey.com/2011/03/japan-crisis-resource-guide-news-sites-relief-organizations.html
The New York Times has an article today about Rikuzentakata titled Japanese Town Holds on to Hope.” The article explains that JET Montgomery “Monty” Dickson as well as the Takata High School swim coach, Motoko Mori, and 29 of the high school’s 540 students are also still missing.
NHK article and video of DC JETs at fundraiser
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Thanks to JETAA DC President Mac Maloney for sharing this link to an NHK article and video (in Japanese) about Facebook and a recent DC-area fundraising event attended by a number of DC JET alums including Mack.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20110321/k10014805571000.html
Sake Dictionary iPhone app unveiled by JET alum John Gauntner (“The Sake Guy”)
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Via JET alum John Gauntner (a.k.a. “The Sake Guy”):
Get your copy of The Sake Dictionary iPhone app for $0.99: http://itunes.com/apps/ sakedictionary
In John’s words:
“The Sake Dictionary is a concise little package of all the terms you might ever come across when dealing with sake. Almost 200 of them – including sake grades, rice variety names, seasonal sake terms, special varieties, rare types, post-brewing processing words and the myriad terms used in sake production – many of which are not even familiar to the average Japanese person on the street – are listed up here with concise, useful and clear definitions and the written Japanese version as well. And now, with the new audio component, you can listen and learn just how to pronounce those terms properly. Start to toss around Japanese sake terms like you were raised knowing them! Gain a level of familiarity hitherto unimaginable! Avoid frustrating paralysis when faced with a sake-related purchase!”
New Yorker cover: “Dark Spring”
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How bloggers can help Japan through the tough times
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It’s amazing to see how everybody in America is thinking of unique ways to help Japan in this time of crisis. People are taking to the streets asking for donations (myself included), there are communities doing translations for towns and villages across the region, and now wibiya, an app for bloggers, has developed a tool that can be placed on the bottom of your blog/website.
Bloggers can download this free application and have a bar underneath their site that informs people about how to donate to the red cross and help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. This is what innovation is all about. Using technology to help people in need. It is in times like this that I am proud to say that I’m an American. Thank you again to everybody helping Japan.
Click Here to download the application
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Posted by Sam Frank, an ALT who taught English in Hiraizumi-Cho, Iwate Prefecture from 2002-2004 and worked in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture as a JET from 2004-2006. He currently manages the New York Division of UnRated Magazine (http://unratednyc.com) and works as a Project Manager at Arrow Root Media (http://arrowrootmedia.com).
5ToSurvive: Running for Japan
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Video made by JET Tom Cole
Update: Here’s a link to an article about Taylor from MSNBC.com.
Sad news recently posted to the Sendai Earthquake Family & Friends Link group on Facebook by Taylor’s family:
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that earlier this morning we received a call from the US Embassy in Japan that they had found our beloved Taylor’s body.
We would like to thank all those who’s prayers and support have carried us through this crisis. Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan.
Thank you for all of your help you have been amazing”
Taylor Anderson
Please feel free to share any thoughts, wishes, memories or stories in the comments section of this post.
Ways JET Alums Can Help: Write a letter to your local paper
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Below is a link to a letter written by JET Erica Ward (Iwate-ken, Kuji-shi) to her hometown newspaper, the Santa Cruz Sentinel. In it, she explains her connection to Japan and asks members of her hometown community to help support Japan by donating to several organizations for which she provides links.
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17656316
One more thing that we as JET alumni can do to help raise both awareness and funds for the Japan disaster relief effort.
Note: Erica writes a paragraph near the end that I think will resonate with JETs and JET alums everywhere:
“Though many JET English teachers have been making arrangements to return to their home countries during this time of crisis, the thought did not cross my mind. Japan is like my second home country, and though I miss my friends and family so deeply, especially at a time like this, I want to stay and help all of the people here who are suffering.”
Man Up For Japan: Innovative fundraising effort by JET David Chalmers
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You may have seen “Man Up For Japan” all over Facebook or elsewhere. Here’s an article about JET David Chalmers (originally from Scotland) and his efforts to help fundraise for earthquake relief in Japan.
Scot does his bit to aid Japan
Published Date: 20 March 2011
By Nick Mitchell
A CAMPAIGN launched by a Scot based in Japan to raise cash for the current disaster relief effort has received support from almost 5,000 people and could generate hundreds of thousands of pounds in aid.
Taking its name from “ichi man yen”, the Japanese for 10,000 yen, the Facebook-driven campaign is called “Man up for Japan” and is asking people to pledge the sum (around £75) to a relief charity of their choice.
The concept was devised by David Chalmers, 24, an Edinburgh native who is currently tutoring Japanese students in English through the popular Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme.
CLICK HERE to read the full article
Metropolis magazine seeks foreign survivors, evacuees and aid workers
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Tokyo-based Metropolis Magazine would like to hear from foreign survivors, evacuees and those working to deliver aid in the affected parts of Tohoku.
Please contact: editor@metropolis.co.jp
