CLAIR Tokyo office operating as usual
Earthquake Tsunami, Uncategorized 
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There was a tweet or post earlier today incorrectly stating that CLAIR Tokyo was being evacuated and responsibilities were being handed to CLAIR NY. This was inaccurate. I think it’s been deleted everywhere on other pages, groups, etc. Just re-posting on JetWit in case anyone out there is still confused by this. The post apparently related to last Friday but inadvertently got posted today (Monday).
FYI, CLAIR Tokyo office is operating as usual. (Actually, “as usual” is probably not the correct term as they’re working their oshiris off more than ever right now.)
Ganbatte and hang in there CLAIR Tokyo people!
Via Fukui JET Mike Maher-King of Smile Kids Japan:
Update: Here’s the link to the Google spreadsheet where you can start inputting any info you gather: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AsMdoYcl5qwSdG5BTHl3M3VSX21TZHpYc21ReVFhUGc&hl=en&authkey=CJH_ppQL
AJET and Smile Kids Japan are working on some procedures to help foreigners living in Japan volunteer at the earthquake sites. They need JET alums with good Japanese>English ability to look through prefecture websites and find the information about prefectural volunteer groups plus, if easily available, volunteer forms. (This might best done through internet searches using < prefecture name + 東北地方地震災害ボランティア >)
CONTACT: smilekidsjapan [at] gmail.com, cc: activities [at] ajet.net
An example of what we are looking for for every prefecture is this
Fukui
Info http://info.pref.fukui.jp/danken/npo/060_sv/touhokujisin.php
Application form http://info.pref.fukui.jp/danken/npo/060_sv/html/data/touhokumousikomusyo.doc
Complete form and mail to danjoken-volunteer@pref.fukui.lg.jp
Once gathered, this information is going to be distributed through block reps, facebook, twitter etc to all the jets and hopefully lots of non jets that want to help so it has to be accurate.
Yoroshiku,
–AJET & Smile Kids Japan
The AJET Relief Fund for JETs in affected areas
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Via National AJET (10:15 am, Monday, March 15 NY time):
AJET would like to announce that we will be collecting money to specifically address JET needs in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. We also encourage donations to relief efforts directed at the community at large (JEN: http://tinyurl.com/4sp8mba; Peace Winds Japan: http://www.peace-winds.org/en/; or Good Neigbours: http://tinyurl.com/4f6gtas), however the AJET Relief Fund will provide donations directly to JETs in affected areas, with advice from Prefectural Advisors in prefectures such as Akita, Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Iwate and Miyagi to ensure that this money is used in the most efficient way possible.
As the relief effort is still in its early stages, the needs of affected JETs have not yet been fully assessed. National AJET expects to address some of these needs as they arise; shelter, food and water will be top priorities. The AJET Relief fund will also be used to help JETs rebuild their lives after the immediate danger has passed. For updates or questions about the distribution of AJET Relief funds, make sure to e-mail relief@ajet.net.
Via Matthew Holmes who is at Interac’s headquarters:
Thank you all of you for sharing information and really helping to keep us updated at Interac HQ. We are working round the clock trying to contact everybody and also give news to relatives by phone, email, facebook and via the various Embassies. We have really appreciated your responses and help with contacting various people on the ground.
Please take care everyone and please tell any Interac teachers, if they have not already done so, to contact Interac . They can do so 24/7.
contact@interac.co.jp
We are all taking turns to do shifts in the office and we will continue to try and get through to everybody. We will be providing instructions and further advice over the next 24 hours.
All those in the middle of this tragedy are in our thoughts and prayers.
Matthew
Request for contact from all New Zealand JETs
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Via former New Zealand JETAA President Katie McTeigue, who says the Embassy of Japan wants to hear from everyone:
As you are aware the recent earthquake has potentially affected many New Zealand JETS particularly those in the Miyagi, Fukushima, Iwate and Aomori regions. If you have any information on JETS in these areas please forward details to Mr. Ato. (takashi.ato@mofa.go.jp).
KYODO NEWS URGENT CALL FOR UPDATES IN QUAKE AND TSUNAMI-HIT AREAS
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Via JET JET alum Jody Godoy (Fukui-ken) who is a Kyodo News reporter:
KYODO NEWS URGENT CALL FOR UPDATES IN QUAKE AND TSUNAMI-HIT AREAS
How are foreign residents in your area doing? Is anyone unaccounted for? Did anyone sustain injuries? Are people at shelters?
Any updates are appreciated! Please pass this information on to anyone who may have information. Feel free to append other helpful links.
Please call the following numbers with updates only. I’m sorry but we cannot field questions. Or please e-mail me at jody.godoy@kyodonews.jp
——————
Kyodo News Tokyo 03-6252-8306
————–
Emergency line if you cannot get thru above 03-3574-7693
—————-
English speaking line (The others should be able to speak to you in English also) 03-6252-8314
National AJET Statement regarding Japan earthquake/tsunami
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National AJET Statement regarding Japan earthquake/tsunami
March 12, 2011
On March 11, 2011 a large earthquake of a magnitude of 8.8 hit northern Japan, causing huge fires, landslides, radiation leaks, and widespread infrastructure damage as well as generating tsunamis in several regions. A broad area has been affected by these disasters, and problems vary from region to region. For up-to-date information, check news sources that are local to the region in which your family member or friend resides.
National AJET, as a representative body of JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) participants in Japan, would like to provide possible avenues for communication or relief efforts to people who are concerned across the globe, as well as in Japan.
It is important to stay calm, not panic and be mindful that due to power outages and lack of telecommunications, it may take time to get through to anyone affected.
If you are searching for family or friends in the affected areas, first check this list of American and Canadian JET participants whose safety has been confirmed.
To reach JETs directly, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites are proving to be the most effective means of communication as phone lines are busy or down. Also, if someone you know does not have access to communication systems, please communicate on their behalf. Read More
Pre-dawn 6.0 earthquake in Nagano and Niigata Prefectures
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Japan Times has a Kyodo News service report of a 6.0 earthquake in Nagano and Niigata:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110312x1.html
Two powerful earthquakes hit an inland area northwest of Tokyo early Saturday, each measuring 6 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in Nagano Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The agency did not issue a tsunami warning. The 3:59 a.m. and 4:32 a.m. quakes, with preliminary magnitudes of 6.6 and 5.8 respectively, hit areas including Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast, which is far from the Pacific coastal area jolted by a magnitude 8.8 quake the previous day.
The focus of both predawn quakes was in central Niigata at a depth of 10 kilometers, the agency said.
The first quake measured lower 6 in Niigata but Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it was continuing to operate its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant in the prefecture.
Niigata police said they have received a report of mudslide in Tokamachi city as well as avalanches in Tokamachi and Tsunan town, following the early morning quakes.
Canadians in Japan in need of assistance
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Via JETAA Canada Country Rep Jamiena Shah:
Canadians in Japan in need of assistance, contact Embassy in Tokyo at 81-35412-6200 or DFAIT Emergency Centre collect at 613 996 8885
Canadians in Japan, Asia Pacific region in need of assistance can contact DFAIT Emergency Centre at sos@international.gc.ca.
Photos of the earthquake and tsunami
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Photos that capture a lot of what’s been going on: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/
Watch NHK earthquake/tsunami coverate streaming live online via CNN
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Just found that you can watch NHK online live via CNN at this link: http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3&hpt=T1
Fukushima JET’s earthquake video
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Former JETAA DC President Michelle Spezzacatena shared the below link to earthquake footage in Fukushima from a JET friend who is living in Koriyama City, about 100km from the epicenter of the earthquake apparently.
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-569437
Japan Tsunami
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I just woke up and am seeing news and footage of the tsunami in Japan, apparently centered in Sendai. I’m paying attention to Facebook updates by other JET alum friends.
Hoping everyone is ok. Please feel free to post comments, updates or other useful information here to the extent it’s helpful.
There’s already a Google Person Finder for the Japan 2011 Earthquake posted here: http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en
Here’s the latest Google News search for “Japan tsunami”: http://news.google.com/news/search?aq=f&pz=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=japan+tsunami
Additional info that may be helpful:
Google crisis responses in English
http://www.google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
For foreigners in Japan- News on the quake on NHK Radio 963,
in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and French
10 tips for earthquake safety
http://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.jp/lfe/bou_topic/jisin/point10eng.htm
Surviving In Japan: How to Find a Non-smoking Restaurant in Japan
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Ashley Thompson is "Surviving in Japan: without much Japanese."
Going out in Japan can sometimes be rough if you’re a non-smoker (like me). Granted, times are changing in Japan, and more and more facilities and areas are now completely non-smoking, or instead have a small room or area designated specifically for smoking. Kanagawa prefecture went completely non-smoking last year, making it the first prefecture in Japan to ban smoking in public areas such as beaches, and various public facilities such as schools and hospitals (though I think both of those are *generally* non-smoking in Japan now anyway) and even restaurants, if the restaurant didn’t already have separated smoking/non-smoking areas. At times, I wish I lived in Kanagawa, if only for that.
Now, of course, I mean no offense to anyone who does smoke – it’s all choice and I’m completely fine with that. My only issue is when kids or pregnant women are around or I have to sit and breathe it because of the location I’m in, as I’ve got some extremely annoying allergies (and I just don’t care for it in general). Thus sometimes, eating out can pose a challenge if you are a non-smoker and wish to avoid smoke at all costs.
Yes, smoke-free restaurants exist, as do various restaurants that are divided into smoking/non-smoking areas, but I can guarantee there are also plenty of restaurants that have neither. So if you are a serial non-smoker, you might be lucky to enjoy a good meal without inhaling secondhand smoke, that is, until the person sitting near you lights up. Of course, if it’s a smoking restaurant, you just have to deal with it, because they are well within their rights to smoke – but from experience, it’s also ruined some meals for me, and makes me want to try and avoid it when possible.
This is easier said than done.
The other day, my husband and I were feeling lazy and wanted to go out to eat, although I was feeling a little off that day and didn’t really want to take our chances with the smoking thing. I don’t know if you’ve heard of Tabelog (食べログ), a great restaurant search tool for all over Japan, but it comes in handy for looking up restaurants. I often browse that site, though I noticed most listings in our area did not designate if they were smoking, non-smoking, or if they had separated seating. (Some listings do, but I find it to be hit or miss, depending on location). The only way we could know for sure was to call every place and ask, and after the first few, it does get kind of annoying.
Enter new search. I pulled up Google, this time hoping I could somehow discover some non-smoking restaurants by using those very keywords (smart, I know…).
Lo and behold, I discovered a website called “Kinen Style”, or actually, “禁煙スタイル” (Non-smoking style). — CLICK HERE to read the rest of this post.
Justin’s Japan: Q&A with Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big
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Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big. (William Hames)
By JQ magazine’s Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here to subscribe for free alerts on newly published stories.
A founding member of the platinum-selling Los Angeles-based rock group Mr. Big, guitarist extraordinaire Paul Gilbert joined the group in 1988, and then departed a decade later to focus on a pop-tinged solo career. Best known for its hit ballad “To Be with You”—which went to number one in 15 countries including the U.S. in 1992—Mr. Big broke up in 2002, reforming the original lineup seven years later for a massive tour of Asia and Europe.
Last month, the band released What If…, the first album in 15 years from the reunited rockers, which instantly went gold in Japan upon release. To celebrate, Mr. Big are kicking off their new world tour at the House of Blues Sunset Strip on April 2, the original lineup’s first American gig since the mid-’90s. In this exclusive interview, I caught up with Gilbert about the new disc, his time away from Mr. Big, and his rich history with Japan.
What does the title of the new album refer to?
“What If…” is the beginning of any idea. Anything that you want, anything great…all starts with an idea. “What If…” Mr. Big got back together, and recorded a new album? This is it!
What are your own personal goals when writing a song?
I’m sort of a chord person. I’m happy if the song has a cool key change or some interesting chords that you might not expect. And of course, it should have a good melody to match. Also, with Mr. Big it’s impossible not to take advantage of the crazy stuff that Billy [Sheehan, bassist] and I can do together.
You’ve always had a strong bond with your fans in Japan. How did Japan come into your life growing up, and was your first time there like?
Growing up? Godzilla movies and Speed Racer! Actually, the first electric guitar I ever played was my uncle Jimi [Kidd]’s Ibanez Destroyer. I didn’t know that Ibanez was a Japanese guitar company, but I’ve certainly had a great time working with them since I started endorsing their guitars in the ’80s. The first time I went [to Japan] was in ’89 for a Mr. Big tour. Every tour we did just got bigger and bigger—we ended up doing three sold out nights at the Budokan. That’s crazy; I still can’t believe it.
What are some of your favorite memories from your time in Japan?
I actually tried to learn to speak Japanese, so I’ve rented apartments there for a few months at a time. It really felt like an adventure to live in a foreign country and to get by without speaking English. I remember being happy just riding the trains around and exploring Tokyo.
Years ago on your website you entertainingly chronicled your efforts to study the Japanese language through your own doodles. Do you still keep up with your studies?
I’ve pretty much given up on my Japanese. If my hearing was better, I might keep at it, but I can barely hear English at this point, and it’s really difficult to learn a new language without being able to hear the details. Plus, if I put that time into playing my guitar, I get some good results.
Why do you think Mr. Big caught on with the Japanese so well?
That’s a difficult question because we’re talking about “groups” of people. It’s complicated enough to understand individual people…Am I avoiding the question? Probably. I’m really thankful for my success anywhere, but I’m just not that interested in it. I’d much rather think about notes, and chords, and rhythms, and singing, and playing, and what pedals I’m going to put on my pedalboard for the upcoming tour.
You’ve made lots of highly amusing appearances on Japanese TV over the years. What were some of your favorite moments?
I had fun jamming with a band called “Sex Machineguns.” It just makes me happy there is a band called “Sex Machineguns”; what a fantastic name that is. There was a show where a famous Japanese female singer had to play a game where she picked her “type” of guy from among all the guys on the show…and she picked me. I was about 20 years older than everyone else on the show, so I didn’t think I had a chance. That cheered me up.
Click here for the complete interview.
