Roland Kelts helps launch debut issue of “MONKEY BUSINESS: New Voices from Japan” with April/May events in NYC
Books, Celebrity, Cultural Outreach, Events, Fundraising, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Roland Kelts, Translating/Interpreting, Writers 
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Via Roland Kelts (Osaka-shi, 1998-99), author of Japanamerica and the contributing editor for MONKEY BUSINESS: New Voices from Japan:
A Letter from A Public Space (Brooklyn-based literary publication):
A Public Space Literary Projects announces the debut issue of MONKEY BUSINESS: New Voices from Japan, with April/May launch events in New York City.
New York City, New York, April 4, 2011—A Public Space (APS) announces publication of the first annual English language edition of Monkey Business: New Voices from Japan (MB), supported by a generous grant from the Nippon Foundation. Three launch programs in New York City in late April and early May will bring together authors, translators and editors from Japan and the US for this first-of-its-kind trans-cultural literary event. Twenty-five percent of all MB sales will go toward the Nippon Foundation/CANPAN Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.
Monkey Business is a Tokyo-based Japanese literary magazine founded in 2008 by award-winning translator, scholar, editor and author Motoyuki Shibata. One of Japan’s best known and most highly regarded translators of American fiction, Shibata has won numerous accolades, most recently the 2010 Japan Translation Cultural Prize for his translation of Thomas Pynchon’s Mason & Dixon, and has introduced to Japanese readers works by Paul Auster, Steven Millhauser, Rebecca Brown, Stuart Dybek and Steve Erickson, among others.
Shibata, who was interviewed in the first issue of APS, modeled MB in part on the Brooklyn literary journal. Founded in 2006 by editor Brigid Hughes, A Public Space is devoted to cutting-edge literature—not just from American contributors, but by writers and artists spanning the globe. Each issue presents a portfolio that explores an international literary scene. The debut issue of APS featured a portfolio from Japan, curated and edited by author Roland Kelts (Japanamerica) and MB founder Shibata, and featuring contributions from Haruki Murakami, Yoko Ogawa, Kazushige Abe and others. Issue 1 was praised by readers in the US and Japan and has long been sold out.”
Read More
Update: Here’s a clip from NHK TV about the JETAANY Fundraiser including some interviews with JET alums.
JETAA NY’s Fundraiser for Japan was held last night at Slate (50 W. 21st St) and drew over 300 people while raising over $10,000 for the JETAA USA Fund. The event also drew significant Japanese media coverage and included a table run by NY-based Japanese volunteer organization NY de Volunteer to give people an opportunity to write messages of support back to Japan.
Photos to come.
Did your JETAA chapter hold a fundraiser or engage in earthquake/tsunami relief activities? Email jetwit [at] jetwit.com with details and photos.
MTV’s Act Blog: ‘Smile Kids Japan’ Turns Spotlight On Orphans Affected By Disaster
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Here’s a recent article on MTV’s Act Blog about collaboration amongst Smile Kids Japan (founded by Fukui JET Mike Maher-King), and Tokyo-based non-profit livingdreams.jp to form an effort called Smiles & Dreams: The Tohoku Kids Project aimed at providing “immediate and long-term support to orphanages in Tohoku and other areas that were affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami.”.
To learn more or to make a donation, go to their Global Giving page: http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/help-orphans-in-japan-rebuild-lives-post-tsunami/
JET Prefecture Round-up 04.04.11: Volunteer information by prefecture
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AJET has posted a very helpful chart with links to “Volunteer,” “Donations” and “Events” info by prefecture.
http://ajet.net/lang/en/2011/04/04/volunteer-donation-information-by-prefecture/
Also, here’s a link to all AJET posts concerning earthquake/tsunami relief.
Taylor Anderson memorial service in Richmond, VA
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The below was sent by JETAA DC to its members via its chapter yahoogroup:
We have extended the deadline for messages in Taylor Anderson’s condolence book until Friday, April 1 at 12 pm. It doesn’t matter if your message is long or short, profound or emotional, we encourage you to send it to jetaadc.311relief [at] gmail.com. Members of the JETAADC Board will present the condolence book to Taylor’s family at a service to be held in Richmond on Saturday.
For more information on Taylor’s life, her experiences on JET, and Saturday’s service, please visit the website of the Richmond-Times Dispatch<http://www.legacy. com/obituaries/ timesdispatch/ obituary. aspx?n=taylor- anderson& pid=149794411>.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund for the purpose of rebuilding schools in Ishinomaki City. Donation information is available here: http://www.st. catherines. org/tayloranders on.
Regards,
Leigh Ann Mastrini
Outreach Chair, JETAADC
Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) Update: 03.30-03.31.11
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The Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) has been an excellent source of updates via the earthquake section of its website as well as its Facebook page. The kind of info you’re likely not getting from CNN or network news. Notably, JET alum James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) is the Director of JCIE/USA’s New York office. Here’s the latest update:
March 30 – 31 Fund Update: http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html
- Increasing signs of mental health issues from stress to ‘survivors guilt’.
- Also, Peace Winds through its partner organization – Mercy Corps – reports on the attention and care being provided to children.
Anthony Bianchi back in Brooklyn for “Xaverian High School Japan Benefit Concert” tonight
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Just heard from JET alum, Brooklyn native and current Inuyama City Councilman Anthony Bianchi (Aichi-ken, Inuyama-shi) that he’s back in New York for a very short stay in order to attend his alma mater Xaverian High School‘s “Japan Benefit Concert” tonight (Thursday, March 31).
Anthony notes that any JET alums around are welcome to come. [Ed. Note: Sorry for the short notice. I wasn’t able to post this until 4:21 pm and it starts at 7:00 pm.]
Start time: 7:00 pm
Location: Xaverian High School, 71st St & Shore Road in Brooklyn
Cost: $10
NY’s Japan Society announces allocation of Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
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New York’s Japan Society has released full details about the non-profit organizations in Japan that will receive the first allocation of funds from Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. Read on for their press release…
New York, NY – Japan Society today announced four Japanese nonprofit organizations that will receive a total of $1,000,000 in the first installment of funding from the Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund for relief and recovery work in northeastern Japan.
The four organizations – Tokyo Volunteer Network for Disaster Relief, JEN, Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC), and the Japan NPO Center – are involved in immediate relief efforts to help victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that struck Japan on March 11, 2011.
“Each organization is on the front lines in Japan and is playing an important role in the relief process,” Japan Society President Motoatsu Sakurai said. “We are pleased to provide financial support to these groups.”
Fundraising: Instructions for donating directly to Iwate prefectural government
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The following information was shared by JET alum Susan Pickett (Iwate-ken, Miyako-shi) who helped gather information for anyone who would like to donate directly to the Iwate prefectural government. The information is also available via the Facebook group “Grassroots Aide for Iwate“ (which I believe was set up by a JET alum, but not sure).
Note: JETwit.com does not advocate for or recommend any one particular charity or relief effort. This is just one more helpful example of JET alums helping to facilitate donations to Japan.
What Can I do?
I spent a year teaching English in Iwate Prefecture (Miyako) in the Tohoku Region- (northern Japan), and ever since the earthquake, I have been asking myself what can I do to help the people of Iwate and in particular those in the coastal towns severely hit by the tsunami.
Iwate Prefecture has set up a Disaster Relief Fund for the citizens affected by the earthquake and tsunami.
The Iwate Prefectural Site in Japanese is here: http://www.pref.iwate.jp/index.rbz Information on Iwate and the Great Tohoku Earthquake
Wikipedia info on the earthquake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami#Japan
Charity information on the Iwate Prefecture site (English) (PDF): http://sv032.office.pref.iwate.jp/~bousai/taioujoukyou/gienkin_kaigai2.pdf
Charity Donations for the Great Tohoku Earthquake Disaster
Those who want to make a direct contribution to Iwate Prefectural victims and affected areas from overseas can make a bank transfer to the following location. The government of Iwate has a committee to decide how to distribute the funds. Those who want to make a direct contribution to Iwate Prefectural victims and affected areas from overseas can make a bank transfer to the following location.
1 Bank Transfer Account Information
- Bank (JPN: 銀行名)
- The Bank of Iwate, Ltd(JPN: 岩手銀行)
- SWIFT Code
- SWIFT: BAIWJPJT
- Branch: Kencho Branch(JPN: 県庁支店)
- Branch No: 009
- Account No. :009-2016634
- Beneficiary’s Name (JPN: 口座名義):Iwate Prefecture Disaster Relief Charity Committee (JPN: 岩手県災害義援金募集委員会)
- Beneficiary’s Address/Telephone Number (JPN: 住所/電話番号): Japan, Iwate-ken, Morioka-shi, Uchimaru 10-1 Office of Health and Welfare Planning Iwate Prefectural Government Tel :019-629-5408
*(Note: Please remember that there may be bank charges involved with transferring money overseas)
2 Issuances of Receipts
- For those that require a receipt for their charitable donation, please download the following form : http://sv032.office.pref.iwate.jp/~bousai/taioujoukyou/gienkin_kaigai2_yousiki.pdf
- Fill out your address, name, transfer account information, and amount of money donated. Then send that form by mail, fax, or email to the Office of Health and Welfare Planning of the Iwate Government (the address is written below).
3 Distribution of Charitable Donations
A separate committee will be formed to decide how to distribute charity funds.
- < Iwate Prefecture Disaster Relief Charity Committee >
- 〒020-8570 Iwate-ken, Morioka-shi, Uchimaru 10-1
- Office of Health and Welfare Planning
- Iwate Prefectural Government
- TEL 019-629-5408 FAX 019-629-5419 Email AD0001 [at] pref.iwate.jp
JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund Update: Nominated Relief Funds
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JETAA USA is in the process of figuring out the best use of the donations it has collected and is continuing to collect for the JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund. Below is the latest from JETAA USA:
Nominated Relief Funds
CLAIR NY has offered their guidance in helping JETAA USA make a decision. CLAIR NY will not have a vote in the final outcome, but will simply be providing their thoughts on the effectiveness, feasibility, etc. on the nominations that the chapters have submitted. Additionally, Charity Navigator is a useful online resource which shows the effectiveness of US NGOs. We are working on finding a similar resource for Japanese NGOs.
There were suggestions from a few different chapters that the fund be donated in memory of any JETs lost in the disaster. Chapters will have a chance to vote on this idea, although it’s not reflected in the below list. [Emphasis added by JETwit.]
Below are the nominated causes/ organizations for the JETAA USA Earthquake Relief Fund:
Akai Hane (Red Feather Community Chest): Akai Hane, or the Red Feather Community Chest of Japan, is a non-governmental organization that focuses on welfare work and a member of United Way Worldwide. Central Community Chest of Japan and each Local Community Chests are raising fund to support victims, and to support volunteer groups which are responding to the disaster.
AmeriCares: AmeriCares is in direct contact with local officials, evacuation shelters and hospitals treating the injured and caring for evacuees, and based on early assessments and the anticipated need for long-term humanitarian aid, they’ve expanded set up an office in Tokyo to coordinate relief efforts. AmeriCares participated in the first inter-agency organizational meeting led by MOFA and included representatives of the Japanese Cabinet, UN agencies, and Japanese NGOs.
Association for Aid and Relief in Japan (AAR): Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR JAPAN) mainly focus on the following activities: emergency assistance, assistance to persons with disabilities, and mine action. In response to the disaster in Japan, their Emergency Relief Team continues to visit welfare facilities for the aged and people with disabilities in the affected area to deliver food and fuel.
Community Project (Cause): With JET being an education- focused program, we’d like to identify a fund or organization focused on long-term rebuilding of schools in the affected areas (e.g. replenishing libraries, rebuilding institutions, installing student computers, providing teaching materials, playground equipment, etc). This also falls in line with JET’s mission of grassroots community involvement.
CRASH Japan: Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope (CRASH) is a network supporting Christians to do relief work in Japan and around the world. CRASH equips and prepares churches and missions to be there to help their communities when disasters strike and coordinates Christian volunteers to work with local ministries in the event of a disaster.
Direct Donation: Following an immediate donation to a disaster relief organization for the pressing needs, we would like the Fund continue to be maintained by JETAANY. We’d like the collection of donations to continue and those funds to go toward rebuilding the English program at the schools where the JET’s who were lost in this disaster worked.
Fukushima / Iwate / Miyagi Prefecture Direct Funds: Fukushima, Iwate and Miyagi (separate accounts for donating to relief or reconstruction) have established direct donation accounts.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity International currently has an assessment team in Japan, and together with Habitat for Humanity Japan, are liaising with government authorities and other organizations on how to best support the relief effort. In the short-term, Habitat for Humanity expects its response to include mobilizing volunteers in Japan to work with other organizations in the relief operation, like beginning the clean-up process, and a longer-term plan will then be plotted, when the full extent of the damage is known and the best course of action identified.
Japan Platform: Japan Platform (JPF) is an international emergency humanitarian aid organization which offers more effective and prompter emergency aid, in response to the world situation, focusing the issues of refugees and natural disaster. JPF conducts such aid with a tripartite cooperation system where NGOs, business community, and government of Japan work in close cooperation, based on equal partnership, making the most of the respective sectors’ characteristics and resources.
Japan Red Cross: The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) is scaling up its response to meet the needs of the affected population as well as assessing the situation at both national headquarters and branch level in the affected prefectures, to plan for the next phases of the humanitarian operation.
The Boston Foundation (via the Japan America Society of Boston): This fund was established last week at The Boston Foundation with an initial leadership grant of $100,000 from Atsuko and Lawrence Fish, who have also pledged to cover all administrative costs of the fund. Contributions to this fund are for immediate relief – not for long-term infrastructure recovery, which is seen as the responsibility of the government of Japan.
JEN: Japanese Emergency NGOs was founded as a coalition of relief workers with experience in overseas disasters. More than a decade ago, JEN became an independent NGO implementing disaster relief work. JEN is coordinating with local government and at the grassroots level to deliver blankets and food in the short term, and it has two teams in the affected areas assessing its long-term response.
Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is working to help survivors of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami in cooperation with our longstanding partner, Peace Winds. Peace Winds continues to deliver emergency supplies — including large shelters, tents, blankets, instant rice and fresh produce — to families evacuated from homes in the tsunami-devastated city of Kesennuma. Mercy Corps has deployed our emergency team leader to help Peace Winds coordinate its lifesaving response.
Monty Dickson Fund: A to be established fund that will assist efforts to find Monty and to assist his family in their ongoing efforts to find Monty, a current JET participant who was teaching in Rikuzentakata on the day of the earthquake and tsunami – Rikuzentakata was destroyed by the tsunami. Monty called friends from the town cultural hall after the earthquake, but has not been heard from since.
Nippon Foundation: The Nippon Foundation has extensive experience working with local partners to provide support after disasters such as the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, and more recently the Mid Niigata Earthquake and Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The Nippon Foundation/CANPAN Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund aims to provide both immediate aid as well as medium to long-term support to ensure a full recovery of the affected areas, in an accountable and timely manner.
Orphanages in Japan: Many children may have become parentless due to the natural disaster. We should identify a fund or organization in Japan that supports orphans and orphanages long-term.
Oxfam Japan: Oxfam Japan will be working with two partners in Japan on providing support to those on the margins of society who might otherwise have difficulty accessing emergency relief. One group is assisting mothers and babies and the other is providing information to non-Japanese speakers living in Japan.
Peace Winds America: Peace Winds America is the US chapter of Peace Winds Japan, a Japanese NGO, and a partner of Mercy Corps, focusing their efforts on strengthening disaster management readiness in case of disasters in Asia. They are currently on the ground in Japan, and most recently are arranging a convoy of 10 trucks of supplies to Iwate and Miyagi, providing food, water, gas, blankets, clothing to at least 5 different affected communities (as of March 22).
Peace Winds Japan: Peace Winds Japan is one of the largest Japanese organizations providing humanitarian relief such as food, clothing, fuel and medical supplies to the affected areas. It is also currently listed on Global Giving’s website as one of 7 ongoing projects in Japan in need of assistance.
Rehabilitation: Funds should go to an as yet unidentified group in Japan that provides long-term rehabilitation services for the disabled.
Riverside Sendai Relief Fund: Riverside and Sendai have been friends since 1951 and sister cities since 1957 in what is one of the oldest continuous sister city relationships in the United States.
Save the Children: Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children, working in more than 120 countries. In Japan they have a 3 year plan strategy—based on initial assessments—to first help provide essential relief items and launch child protection activities, and then help restore children’s sense of security and normalcy and advocate for their inclusion in emergency preparedness planning.
Second Harvest: Second Harvest Japan distributes food to soup kitchens, orphanages, the elderly, emergency shelters, single mothers, the homeless, migrant workers, and many others.
UNICEF Japan: Japan Committee for UNICEF has been making a concerted effort to help affected children and their families by mobilizing its well-established network of partners, including the private sector, schools, religious groups and volunteers. The Committee is mobilizing assistance in the areas of maternal and child health, education and psychosocial support.
U.S. Japan Council: The U.S.-Japan Council Earthquake Relief Fund was established to collect donations that directly support immediate relief and the long-term rebuilding in Japan. 100% of all donations will go to directly to NGOs/NPOs in Japan. On March 22, USJC announced that the first disbursement will go to two Japanese NGO platforms: The Japan Platform (JPF) and the Center for Public Resource Development (CPRD).
Japan Society Round-up 03.28.11: Disaster relief funds set up by Japan America Societies
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In addition to the many fundraising events planned by Japan America Societies around the country, numerous funds have been set up to collect donations for Japan’s disaster relief. This list of funds (organized alphabetically by city/state) was compiled by JET alum Gail Meadows (ALT, Hiroshima-shi 2007-10). If you know of a fund set up by a Japan America Society that is not listed here, please leave it in the comments. Thanks!
JASGA has created a disaster relief fund to collect donations for organizations involved directly with relief efforts in the northeastern area of Japan. Donations can be made online here. Alternatively, checks can be sent to Japan-America Society of Greater Austin PO Box 9276 Austin, TX 78766. Please make checks payable to the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin and be sure to write Earthquake-Tsunami Relief Fund in the memo field.
JSB partnered with the Boston Foundation and the Fish Family Foundation to create a new Japanese Disaster Relief Fund-Boston. Donations to this fund are now being accepted online at www.japanesedisasterrelieffund.org. This fund was established with an initial leadership grant of $100,000 from Atsuko and Lawrence Fish, who have also pledged to cover all administrative costs of the fund. This will make it possible for 100 percent of contributions to go directly to Japanese disaster victims and to the organizations working on the ground in Tohoku to help the people who need it most. For more information, click here.
JASSCA has established the 2011 Japan Relief Fund. All donations will be forwarded to experienced non-governmental disaster relief agencies in Japan that have a proven track record of emergency humanitarian relief and restoration and development of destroyed areas. To donate, visit their website here.
JASNC created the JSNC Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund and pledges that 100 percent of contributions will be provided to Give2Asia, a highly regarded San Francisco-based philanthropy, to support relief efforts. Give2Asia will channel 95 percent of all funds received to Japanese NGOs working on the ground, with the remaining 5 percent funding Give2Aisa’s own work coordinating with and supporting those NGOs. Currently Give2Asia — in consultation with its advisor Japan NPO Network — is formulating relief plans with Second Harvest Japan and Shanti Volunteer Association. It is also in discussions with: Japanese Emergency NGOs (JEN), Saigai Volunteer Katsudo Shien Project Kaigi, Rescue Stock Yard, and Niigata Saigai (Disaster Volunteer Network). To donate, go here: http://give2asia.org/japansociety.
The Japan America Society of Chicago is currently accepting donations for the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. All proceeds will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross. To donate online, click here.
Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) Update: 03.28.11
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The Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA) has been an excellent source of updates via the earthquake section of its website as well as its Facebook page. The kind of info you’re likely not getting from CNN or network news. Notably, JET alum James Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94) is the Director of JCIE/USA’s New York office. Here’s the latest update:
Weekend News – http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html
- JEN and others report that more relief supplies are reaching those in need, while a recent AMDA survey shows a rise in suspected Influenza cases.
- AAR Japan searched for a senior daycare center by foot in Yamamoto-cho (Miyagi Pref). Only a sign was left and word finally reache…d them that they had lost 3 of their staff members.
Also: JCIE has updated its Timeline through March 25 (http://www.jcie.org/earthquakeupdate.html). Relief supplies, especially medical, are still in high demand two weeks after the ‘Quake & Tsunami. However, NGO’s are also able to reach more and more people in need.
Click here for some images from Recovery & Relief efforts.
Japanese fundraising on the streets of NYC
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Ganbare Japan!
Japanese volunteers ask for donations on behalf of the Lions Club in front of Grand Central Station, New York City. Polite yet persistent. Volunteers have been active in this way throughout the city for the last week.
What’s going on in your neck of the woods?
Photo by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
Taylor Anderson’s high school establishes fund in her honor
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St. Catherine’s High School in Richmond, VA has set up a fund in honor of Ishinomaki JET Taylor Anderson who attended St. Catherine’, according to an article in the The Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The below is from the fund website (www.st.catherines.org/tayloranderson):
“The St. Catherine’s community is mourning the loss of Taylor Lane Anderson ’04. The Anderson family confirmed that their daughter’s body was found on March 21 in Japan. Our School family is devastated by this discovery.
Taylor was a four-year day student who quickly became involved in school activities after she arrived in the ninth grade. She was Co-Editor of the Atelier and a member of Model UN. Taylor touched many hearts while at St. Catherine’s, taking her unique gifts and talents to the country of Japan. As part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, Taylor spent the past two years teaching English to kindergarten, lower school and junior high school students in the coastal city of Ishinomaki. She was last seen after the March 11 earthquake, but before the tsunami devastated the coast of Japan.
St. Catherine’s is so proud of Taylor for living the School’s motto, “What we keep we lose; only what we give remains our own.” She exemplified what it means to be a St. Catherine’s alumna and she will long live as a role model for our community. Taylor touched the hearts and lives of so many people at St. Catherine’s. Circumstances like these, while unimaginably sad, remind us of the value and the power of faith, family and friendship.
The School has established the Taylor Anderson ’04 Memorial Gift Fund. All money raised will be given in Taylor’s memory to benefit the relief efforts in Japan, the country she loved so dearly. St. Catherine’s will work with the Anderson family to direct the funds in the way that best honors Taylor’s legacy. Our hope is to help with the rebuilding of the schools in the region where Taylor taught.
Please leave your thoughts, memories and condolences below and they will be shared with the Anderson family.”
JETAA Northern California benefit raises over $7,000
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KTVU Morning News in San Francisco has a whole feature on JETAA Northern California’s fundraiser. SF Consulate JET Coordinator (and JET alum) Peter Weber is interviewed. I think I saw a brief shot of JETAA US Country Representative Rod McLeod. And it sounds like Canon Purdy may have been there as well.
Good work JETAA Northern California! Yoku ganbatta!
Click here for the video: http://www.ktvu.com/video/27302416/index.html
