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
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, Video 
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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
Japan Earthquake Relief Disaster Idea Exchange
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JET alum Emily Duncan (Hyogo-ken, 2005-08) and a fellow Hyogo JET alum friend have set up a Facebook page called “Japan Earthquake Relief Disaster Idea Exchange“ to encourage JETs and others to share and discuss ideas.
There’s already a good discussion going, so have a look.
NYCaresForJapan.com
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Mitsuhiro Inada of the Japan Foundation in New York has put together this helpful website to keep New Yorkers up to date on Japan-related fundraising activities there:
Volunteer: Provide housing to earthquake evacuees
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I saw this link on the Nagasaki JET email group. I don’t know anything about it other than what’s on the website:
Calling for “Homestay for Earthquake Evacuees”
Please offer your “home” to ease hardships of the earthquake evacuees.
This calling is basically to people living in Japan currently only.
More info here: http://earthdaymoney.org/topics_dt.php?id=391
JET organizes “5ToSurvive” to encourage JETs to fundraise throughout Japan
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An idea conceived by JET Tom Cole and supported by AJET and Smile Kids Japan:
As someone who lives in Japan, I have been both shocked at the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami, and amazed at how people are coming together to help those in need. Watching these events unfold, I’ve had one continuous thought on my mind, ‘How can I help?’. And when I sat down to think about what I could do, I turned to what I know best: running.
As a keen runner from a young age, I have entered many races and seen what charity runs can do. Each year the London marathon raises millions for charities, and now its our turn to make a difference for Japan.
So…here’s your chance. On Sunday, April 10th, at 3:11pm I am challenging myself to run 5toSurvive — 5kms to benefit earthquake/tsunami relief — and I’m asking all of you to join me. This is an event created for everyone, no matter who or where you are, to join forces and help.
If you’re a serious runner then go for it, if you’re not then have fun! Invite some friends, put on a costume, and walk the distance with a bucket for donations along the way. The great thing is you can decide the details of your event, but you’ll be doing it with others from around the world.
The idea is to run or walk 5km and raise money by doing it. Trust me, this really is where you can make a difference. There are 47 prefectures in Japan. If one person can raise 10,000 yen per prefecture, it will be 470,000 yen. Imagine what a group of 5 or 10 of you can do! (And now imagine runs in New York, London, Toronto, LA and you see what we are going to achieve!)
It’s easy to raise money — just join the 5toSurvive team on justgiving.com and your friends and family can easily donate to GlobalGiving’s earthquake relief efforts. Here’s how you get started in a few easy steps:
STEP 1: Go to www.justgiving.com and click ‘Get Started.’ and ‘Make Your Page.’ Choose ‘Personal Challenge’ and follow the directions. Now go to https://www.justgiving.com/teams/5tosurvive/ and click ‘Join Team.’ (Down at the bottom where it lists the team members). Select the page that you just made and join the team!
STEP 2: Create your 5km course. (There’s a number of websites you can use for this, I would recommend mapmyrun.com).
STEP 3: Plan your event — Big or small, its up to you. Feel free to run on your own. Or find people to run with you: a few friends or your local AJET group, running club, or college’s Japanese Culture Association. (To add an extra element of fun, plan to wear costumes!)
STEP 4: Raise awareness and tell people to sponsor you through your justgiving.com page so you can track your progress.
STEP 5: Go out and do it!
If you have any questions or are having trouble getting your 5km together, please contact contactus@5tosurvive.org.
I’m urging you to do what you can to raise donations and awareness! There really is no quick fix, and rebuilding the region will take years. By joining 5toSurvive and running or walking what is probably less than your everyday commute to work, you can be a part of a worldwide effort to remember the victims of the tsunami and give the people still struggling in the face of such devastation a helping hand. If running isn’t your thing or you want to do more then follow in mine and others footsteps, I’d encourage you to organise something by yourself or with your friends!
Thanks! And I’ll see you on the starting line.
– Tom
Brought to you by Mr. Tom Cole, AJET, Smile Kids Japan, JetWit and JETAA.
JETAA Bluegrass Subchapter holds successful fundraiser in Lexington, KY
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Via JET alum Roy Harrison of JETAA Music City‘s Bluegrass subchapter in Kentucky.
“Together we raised over $3100 for the Red Cross through our Soundbar event and online fundraising. It’s was great to see a large number of alums come out to the event, too!”
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