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.
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.”
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
5ToSurvive: Running for Japan
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Video made by JET Tom Cole
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
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:
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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JETAA Chapter Beat: Disaster Relief Efforts
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After the devastation in Japan last week, JETAA chapters around the world have stepped up with a variety of efforts to aid those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Check out what your chapter is doing and lend your support to a place you once called home.
- JETAA USA Relief Fund – The “JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” is the official relief fund of the all-volunteer Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program Alumni Association of America (JETAA USA). JET alumni have experience living and working in communities across Japan, so the disaster has struck very close to home. All 19 JET alumni chapters across the U.S. are currently working together to raise funds to aid in the disaster relief and recovery efforts. JETAANY, the New York chapter of JETAA USA, is hosting the fund. JETAANY is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, and PayPal has graciously offered to waive all transaction fees from March 11 to April 10. The proceeds will go to supporting earthquake relief and recovery efforts in Japan and fees related to administering the fund.
- Town Hall Meeting and Fundraising Event – Wednesday, March 23rd, 6-8 at L’Enfant Cafe and Bar. This event will serve not only as a fundraiser to generate income for the JETAAUSA Earthquake Fund, but also as a platform to gather the JET community and to discuss ideas about how we can develop consistent, high-quality events throughout the year to maintain awareness about the situation in Japan.
- Japan Relief Donation Night – Monday, March 21st, 6-9, at PiQ Italian Bakery and Cafe. PiQ is collaborating with the Red Cross @ CAL, represented also will be Red Cross USA, and the JETAANC, representing JETAA USA. All individual donations and all sales for the night will be pooled together into the PiQ Japan Relief Donation Fund. Half of that will go to the Res Cross who will distribute it to the Japan Red Cross. The other half will go to the JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.
- Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund – Sponsored by the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, this relief fund goes directly towards citizen relief efforts in most affected areas.
- Chibi Chan Preschool Auction – Chibi Chan Preschool, a program of the non-profit organization Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC) in SF Japantown, is holding their annual auction fundraiser. This year they will donate 10% of the proceeds to the Japan earthquake relief efforts.
- Earthquake Relief Fundraiser – Wednesday, March 23rd, 6-8 at O! Izakaya. JETAANC will be hosting a community fundraising event in the upstairs mezzanine of O! Izakaya, located in the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco’s Japantown. Donations will go to the JETAA USA Japan Earthquake Relief Fund and 100% of of the proceeds will be used to support earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan.
- Give a Day for Japan – JETAA UK is asking all former JET Programme participants to support relief efforts in Japan by giving a day’s pay to the Japan Society Fund. The Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund link will channel all donations received to the ongoing work of voluntary and community organizations(NPOs) working in the most affected prefectures. Donations can be made via the Japan society website or by phone.
- Seattle Japan Relief – SeattleJapanRelief is a collaboration of Japanese American and Japan related cultural, educational, and civic organizations standing together to promote relief and recovery following the devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. We are committed to mobilizing funds quickly in support of immediate relief efforts. We are also steadfast in our resolve to remain involved with long-term recovery efforts.
- Xaverian High School Concert for Japan (alma mater of Inuyama City Councilman and JET alum Anthony Bianchi (Aichi)) – Thursday, March 31st, 7:00 at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn. In an effort to help friends in need, Mr. Joseph Loposky, Director of Music at Xaverian, has announced a benefit concert that will take place at the school. Admission will be $10 per person. In addition, a clothing drive has been organized in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services. If you’d like to participate, you can drop off any garments you’ll be donating at the performance. Coinciding with our event, will be another in Japan, organized by Anthony Bianchi ’76, Inuyama City Council Member.
- Run for Japan – Sunday, March 20th, 8:30, 10, and 11:30 at Central Park at the 72nd and 5th Ave Entrance. Dosokai, a group of NY runners from Hokkaido, will run for victims of the unprecedented disaster that happened last week in Northeast Japan. It won’t be a competition, but will be a peaceful group run.
JETAA Minnesota
- Fundraiser Event – Tentatively scheduled for April 15th or 16th, Minnesota JET will be putting together a benefit event for disaster relief in Japan. Funds will go to the USA national JET Alumni Association to be donated to a TBD cause in Japan. More details to be announced.
- Tsunami Fundraising Brainstorming Event – Saturday, March 19th, 4-7 at Yotsuba Restaurant.
JETAA New Orleans
- NOLA Japan Quake Fund – Having survived Hurricane Katrina, the people of our community share a special bond with the people in Japan whose lives will be forever changed by this disaster. The NOLA Japan Quake Fund Coalition’s hope is that we can assist the Japanese in their time of need, just as they did for us following Katrina.
Pacific Northwest JETAA – Yoku ganbatta!
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Pacific Northwest JETAA was involved in a fundraising event at Uwajimaya (the big Japanese food store in Seattle). Here’s a recap from PNW JETAA officer Shun Endo:
“I don’t have official numbers, but at the end of the day we had over $10,000 in donations! I was so moved at everybody’s concern and kindness. Even high school kids and junior high school kids were giving! People really do care, and are looking for an opportunity to give. It really moved me.”
JETAA UK Fundraising Campaign
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Via JETAA National Executive Member 2010-2011, Fiona Steel.
GIVE A DAY FOR JAPAN
JETAA Music City website launch and Bluegrass Subchapter Fundraising event
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Via JET alum Terry Vo who works at the Consulate in Nashville:
JETAA Music City (MC) is proud to announce the launching of their website www.jetaamc.org.
JETAA-MC is the newest chapter in the US that supports former JET participants in Kentucky and Tennessee. We are so thankful that we can launch in time to add another means of communication to assist Japan through this difficult time.
Our sub-chapter, Bluegrass will be having a Japan Relief Event TONIGHT (Friday, March 18) at 9pm. Please come out and support them if you can.
We hope that you will take a few moments and visit our website to see what we’re doing to educate our community about Japan and provide a place where our members can find useful information. We really appreciate all the other JETAA chapters who assisted us and have great websites that we could view while building ours.
Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you all soon. All feedback is welcome!
Consulate General of Japan in New York Accepting Donations
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Dear all,
●The Consulate General’s account to receive financial donation: please go to the link below;
http://www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/t/2011/110315_02.html
●The Consulate General of Japan in New York wishes to inform you that a book of condolences for the victims of the recent Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake will be open for people to express their sympathies on the following dates:
・ March 17-18 (Today-Friday): 9:30am-4:00pm
・ March 21-23 (Monday-Wednesday): 9:30am-4:00pm
The condolences book will be on the 18th floor of our offices at 299 Park Avenue.
The Consulate General of Japan wishes to extend its sincere appreciation for your kind support.
Consulate General of Japan
212-371-8222
This post was written 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).
