Apr 26

CLAIR News April 2011

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Here’s the latest edition of CLAIR News, April 2011.  Click here the Japanese edition (PDF).

This edition of CLAIR News contains the following topics:

1. Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake and Tsunami
2. Tragic News
3. New JET Arrivals
4. For Returning JETs: Applying for a Partial Refund of Your Pension
5. Payments
6. Tax Refund on Pension Refund
7. Local Inhabitant Taxes
8. Proceedures Concerning Status of Residence and Period of Stay
9. CLAIR Thanks all TOA Applicants
10. AJET Peer Support Group
11. Recruitment for Self-Support Group Leaders (SGLs)
12. The JET Alumni Association (JETAA)
13. ALT Opinion Exchange Meeting
14. Japanese Language Courses
15. The Local Government Officials Training Programme
16. TOA T-Shirt Design Contest
17. JET Q&A
18. Contracting Organisation Q&A

Apr 25

MOFA Letter of Appreciation to JETAA USA

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Posted at the request of the Consulate General of Japan in New York:

To:  JET Programme Alumni Association ＵＳＡ

More than one month has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake has hit the nation. I extend my heartfelt sympathy to all the people who have suffered as a result of this disaster, both Japanese nationals and non-Japanese including JET Programme participants, and to their families.　I especially offer my sincerest condolences to Ms.Taylor Anderson and Mr. Montgomery Dickson, who were the victims of the disaster. I laud their achievement and contribution as JET Programme participants for English education and international exchange activities at the local level. Ａｔ　the same time I express my gratitude to JET Programme participants who have continued to assume their duties in Japan in this difficult time.

I understand that JETAA chapters across the United States of America are working for the earthquake relief efforts in Japan by means of a series events including “JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund”. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for such assistance from your organization. I am grateful for the fact that many JET alumni have prayed for Japan and extended support to us. I am deeply impressed by the warm encouragement.

The Government of Japan is currently mobilizing all resources to overcome the situation at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and working hard to stabilize the situation there at the earliest possible date. I would appreciate if those who have been away from Japan following evacuation advice issued by their home country, among other reasons, and also those who hesitate to apply for the JET Programme in this situation in Japan could judge and act calmly based on available information regarding safety in Japan. I would like to point out that the Government of Japan considers that the areas outside the zones for evacuation and staying indoors are safe, and　the Government of Japan has required each local authority to restrict the distribution of food products whose radiation doses exceeded the provisional regulation values. The Government of Japan has uploaded the latest information on the websites as follows. I would really appreciate if you could share this message with your JET friends and their possible candidates through your network.

http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html

http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html

http://www.nisa.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/2011_Earthquake.html

http://www.mofa.go.jp/index.html

http://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/saigaijohou/index.htm

http://eq.wide.ad.jp/index_en.html

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/topics/2011eq/index.html

http://www.mlit.go.jp/en/index.html

http://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.html

There is no doubt that Japan will recover, become vibrant again, and become an even more marvelous country. I strongly believe that Japan will certainly repay, through its contributions to the international community, the cordial assistance from your organization. The Government of Japan will work to the best of its ability to realize the reconstruction of Japan. I appreciate your continued support and cooperation.

To that end, I add my own effort to those of my Government:  I extend my best wishes to you for your organization’s future development.

Naoki Murata
Director-General
Public Diplomacy Department
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Apr 25

Sake and Chefs Tasting to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan (NYC)

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I believe two JET alum sake experts, John Gauntner and Chris Johnson, are involved with the group that is organizing this event — New York Loves Japan:  Sake and Chefs Tasting to Benefit Relief Efforts in Japan — which takes place Wednesday, April 27.

Apr 23

Japan Society Presents Hikashu & Tomoe Shinohara in Concert

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The Japan Society will be hosting an upcoming concert featuring J-techno pop band  Hikashu & Tomoe Shinohara on May 13.  50% of all ticket sales from this event will go to Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund.

Click Here to find out more information about the show.

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 and works as a Project Manager/Web Producer at Arrow Root Media.

Apr 21

Minamisanriku photo blog

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http://msf.ca/blogs/photos/2011/04/05/japan/

Apr 20

Fundraising event: JETAA Music City to co-host Top Chef Tsunami Relief Sake Dinner – 4/21

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Via JETAA Music City:

JETAA Music City and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee (JAST) will co-host the Top Chef Tsunami Relief Sake Dinner on Thursday, April 21st at Cha Chah in Nashville, TN.  Top Chef DC’s Arnold Myint and Top Chef All Star’s Tiffany Derry will be preparing a 5-course meal with sake pairings with proceeds going to the JETAA USA Fund and the Tennessee Tomodachi Fund. The event will also include a Silent Auction.

We are so excited to share that no more reservations are being taken for the event! We are going to have a packed house on this evening for Japan. If you have additional questions, contact Terry Vo at president@mcjetaa.org.

Apr 12

Foreign correspondents start “No. 1 Shimbun” to cover Tohoku disaster

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Thanks to JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism, for sharing the link to the new publication No. 1 Shimbun, published by leading foreign correspondents in Japan.

CLICK HERE for the April 2011 Special Issue.

Apr 11

Japan Volunteers

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Via the Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Idea Exchange Facebook page, which I believe was originally set up by JET alum Emily Duncan:

Here’s a link to a blog/website called Japan Volunteers (japanvolunteers.wordpress.com) that seems to have good info and perspectives on volunteering in various ways in connection with everything going on in Japan.  Here’s an excerpt:

Your services are needed

I have put out a call to several disaster relief NGOs I know to see what their needs are. Many groups are asking for volunteers in limited numbers.

I know many of you want to volunteer but  money (see donation pages) and daily use items (see the materials page) are still needed. Please do not just get in a car and drive north.

I have recently heard that in some places in Tohoku there are too many people showing up clogging roads and using up limited resourced. We all can do something to help but we do not all need to go up there to make a difference.

I have many emails every day from people who want to do something – people from all over the world who want to come to Japan. I am sorry but you will not find that answer here on this site. Right now is not the time to just hop on a plane and come to help with the relief efforts.  When the rebuilding starts 1000s of volunteers will be needed. that should take anywhere from 3 to 10 years.

CLICK HERE to read more.

Apr 8

Commentary on JET: “This is what public diplomacy looks like”

Academic, Article/Journalism, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Japan Trends, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Writers Add Comment (1)

There’s a very thoughtful article titled “This is what public diplomacy looks like“ by JET alum Emily Metzgar, Assistant Professor at Indiana University’s School of Journalism, on the Center for Public Diplomacy blog (which is part of the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications).  (This is the same Emily Metzgar conducting the Survey of American Alumni of the JET Program.)

Here’s an excerpt that captures the gist of the piece, namely that JET is providing Japan with a significant “return on JET-vestment“:

“But in the aftermath of Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, the value of having a large, worldwide network of college-educated foreigners who understand, respect and appreciate Japanese society and culture continues to emerge. A look at a JET alumni networking website, JETwit.com, provides ample evidence of the many ways in which current and former JETs are responding in whatever ways they can to the disaster hitting a country that all of them, at one time or another, have called home.”

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

Apr 8

AJET Cares: Care packages for JETs in affected areas

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Via AJET.net:

AJET is trying to coordinate sending care packages to JETs in areas affected by the earthquake. If you, a group of friends, or your prefectural AJET chapter would like to send a care package to a JET who needs it, please see this form for more information and to sign-up: http://tinyurl.com/3v9o25o.

Questions? Contact us at care@ajet.net. Show another JET that you care~

Here’s the full post from the AJET website:

Apr 8

Certificate of Appreciation from CLAIR

Earthquake Tsunami, Local Government Add Comment (1)

I was extremely honored (and also surprised) to receive this Certificate of Appreciation from the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).  There are many, many JETs and JET alumni helping out in so many ways both in Japan and from other parts of the world–with volunteering, fundraising, translating, reporting, organizing, communicating, etc.  JETwit is simply a reflection of the JET and JET alumni communities, and so appreciation extends to all of you as well.  And for those who don’t know, the folks at CLAIR have been working around the clock through all of this to help JETs and families of JETs in myriad ways for which my words do not suffice.

Issho ni isshokenmei ganbarimasu.

Apr 8

JET alum Canon Purdy’s “Save Miyagi Fund”

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By Jen Wang (Miyagi-ken, Tome-shi, 2008-09), writer for J-music website Purple Sky.  She also maintains her own J-pop culture blog, Gaijin Teacher Otaku.

JET alum and tsunami survivor Canon Purdy (Miyagi-ken, Shizugawa-cho, 2008-10) has created the Save Miyagi fund with her family to help the students in Minamisanriku.  Currently she is working with the mayor and the BOE to determine where the funds are needed most.

In addition to seeking donations, she is asking both current and former JETs to send her links to fundraisers and other charity events to be promoted on the Save Miyagi site.  She is also looking for photos of places before they were destroyed by the tsunami to send to the victims as a way to raise morale and give them something to hold onto.

You can email your links and photos to canon.purdy [at] gmail.com .

Apr 7

Japan Times article on evolving needs of Tohoku residents

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Relief workers must adjust quickly

Individuals, groups face challenge identifying constantly changing needs of survivors

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110406f1.html

Something to keep in mind as everyone tries to think about the best places to donate.  Basically, it’s a moving target to some extent.

Apr 7

7.4 earthquake off the coast of Miyagi

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7.4 earthquake off the coast of Miyagi just now.  Tsunami warning for wave of 1 meter.

From KMOV.com in St Louis (via Associated Press):

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s northeastern coast has been rattled by a strong aftershock. The Japan meteorological agency has issued a tsunami warning for a wave of up to one meter. The warning was issued for a coastal area already ravaged by last month’s tsunami.

Officials say the quake was a 7.4-magnitude and hit 25 miles (40 kilometers) under the water and off the coast of Miyagi prefecture. The quake that preceded last month’s tsunami was a 9.0-magnitude.

Buildings as far away as Tokyo shook for about a minute.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Apr 7

Japan Times article on Shichigahama (Miyagi) CIR Marti McElreath

Article/Journalism, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Local, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Volunteer Add Comment (1)

*************

Here’s an April 7 Japan Times article about Marti McElreath (CIR Miyagi-ken, Shichigahama-shi).

JET post best, not ‘pityfest’

American helps, refuses to leave beloved, battered beach locale

Thursday, April 7, 2011

SHICHIGAHAMA, Miyagi Pref. — There is a picture folder in Marti McElreath’s Facebook account that chronicles her time in Shichigahama, a town located on a small peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture less than an hour’s drive from Sendai and where she has been working since last summer under the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program.

Her comment on the folder reads: “I have the best JET placement in Japan,” a view McElreath hasn’t changed despite the massive earthquake and tsunami that brutally transformed the once peaceful beach community she has come to love.

“I mean, it’s heartbreaking and hard to see what happened, but people are laughing and kids are playing and life is going on. Even after all that’s happened, I still believe it, I believe that I have the best JET placement in Japan,” she said.

While radiation fears from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant have led many foreigners in the region to flee, McElreath, who said the town lies on the cusp of the 80-km evacuation zone recommended by the U.S. government, has remained firm in her conviction to stay and do what she can to help the community.

“I’ve only been here for seven or eight months, but I really do love Shichigahama. The people here have been really amazing to me, and they’ve done so much to help me — I couldn’t imagine just leaving,” said McElreath, 23, from Westborough, Mass.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit the small town of 20,000 claimed 56 lives, and 18 people remain missing. Nearly 1,000 people were still living in the town’s six evacuation centers as of Tuesday, and many houses in the coastal area were swept away or damaged.

The facility McElreath works for, Kokusaimura, or International Village, is being used as a temporary shelter, providing food and a place to sleep for around 300 people, and McElreath spends her days helping out evacuees as the only foreigner among the staff.

According to the International Affairs Division of the Miyagi Prefectural Government, out of the 70 JETs in Miyagi — excluding those in Sendai — 36 have either returned to their homeland or evacuated from the prefecture following the earthquake and subsequent nuclear disaster.

A municipal representative from Sendai said out of the 70 JET assistant-language teachers working in the city, 50 remained, and the rest planned to return before schools reopen Monday.

When the magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit at 2:46 p.m. on March 11, McElreath was at her office at Kokusaimura, going about her usual business.

As a coordinator for international relations, McElreath, fluent in Japanese after studying as an exchange student in Kobe during high school and then at Tohoku University during her senior year in college, was responsible for organizing various community events the facility hosted, as well as giving English-language and culture classes to local residents.

Without warning, the earthquake cut off the lifelines at the facility, and while sirens blared out tsunami warnings, people began evacuating to Kokusaimura, which sits on a hill.

McElreath said no one at the facility at that point was aware of the scale of the tsunami that was about to crash into the peninsula. By the time emergency electric generators were able to re-connect television sets, evacuees were confronted with horrific images of the disaster.

“I think it was around that point that we realized that we were going to be here for a while,” she recalled.

Then at around 6 or 7 p.m. a huge explosion shook the facility and its residents as the JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corp.’s Sendai oil refinery, located a few kilometers from Shichigahama, went up in flames.

“The entire sky went red, and everyone gathered around the windows and looked outside and it was, like, an inferno,” McElreath said, adding the smoke from the refinery lasted two or three days.

While McElreath was able to notify a prefectural adviser of the JET program of her safety immediately after the earthquake, cell phone reception quickly died.

It was not until the third day after the earthquake that she rode her bicycle 6 or 7 km toward Sendai and her cell phone finally re-connected, allowing her to contact family and friends to let them know she was safe.

McElreath said that as the Fukushima nuclear disaster unfolded, many foreigners she knew in the region, including non-JETs and those from other nations, were contacted by their respective embassies and advised to evacuate.

“There are noticeably less foreigners, there is almost no one left that you can tell by just walking around,” McElreath said, adding she did not feel threatened by the radioactivity leaking in Fukushima.

“I decided that I would rather stay here as long as possible and keep on monitoring the situation,” she said, adding that while her parents are concerned for her safety, they understand her desire to remain and help the community.

While electricity returned about a week after the earthquake, and propane could be used, water remained undrinkable and was only restored Tuesday in some areas of town. McElreath said that while Kokusaimura was well stocked with food and drinking water, evacuees missed taking baths.

Meanwhile, McElreath said Plymouth, Mass., Shichigahama’s sister city, has been making fundraising efforts, already gathering $80,000 to be used in the town’s rebuilding. Teams from as far afield as Turkey have arrived on search and rescue missions, and various volunteers, including many celebrities, make the rounds to Kokusaimura to drop off goods and cheer up the evacuees.

McElreath has recontracted with JET until July 2012, and she is determined to stay and work — if the situation allows her to — for the entire duration.

“I’d like to let everyone know that the people here are positive and we don’t want this to become a pityfest.

“We are doing our best.”