Fukushima JETs make “I akabe Fukushima” t-shirts
Some Fukushima JETs have created an “I ‘akabe’ Fukushima“ t-shirt for purchase online. Details here.
From the site:
“We have received permission from Aizu Kanko to use the logo. The T-shirts will be 2000 yen each. The proceeds will be donated to the Fukushima Disaster Countermeasures Office.”
JET Prefecture Round-Up 04.11.11
Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
National Relief Efforts
- AJET has set up a care package program for JETs to help their fellows affected by the disaster.
- JETs are now being encouraged to Can Up for Japan as the next step: anytime JETs attend a JET event, they are to bring a food item or other materials.
- This month’s JET Effect focuses on a few different JETs’ responses to the disaster.
Events by Region
Shikoku Region
Ehime
- Silly Sports Hanami was April 9th, in which JETs enjoyed the blossoms and collected blankets for Tohoku.
- Ehime’s PEPY Ride will now be for Tohoku! Ehime JETs cycle the Shiminami Kaido to raise funds for tsunami and earthquake victims.
Kochi
- Beer/Sake Baseball Opening Day was April 2nd, and a great time was had by all.
- “Traffic Light” Mixer for JETs and locals was April 9th!
- Tosa Salsa Lesson from 2 to 4 was on April 9th as well.
- Kavita Peterson will be giving a presentation on Culture Shock for JETs on April 15th.
- The Tosa-ben musical will be performed by Kochi ALTs in the local dialect on April 16th, 17th, 23rd, and 24th in different places around the prefecture.
Kansai Region
Kyoto
- 5 to Survive Kyoto run was April 10th!
Hyogo
- Hanami at Akashi Castle Park on April 9th called for donations of towels for the Tohoku efforts.
Tohoku Region
Aomori
- Some Aormori JETs are helping with a free lunch offered at the Aomori City Shimin Center on Saturday, April 16th to gather water, apples, rice, toilet paper and others to take to Fukushima prefecture.
Multi-Regional
- ALT Soccer Tournament – West Japan Tournament to be held in Awaji, May 22-23rd. East Japan Tournament to be held June 4th-5th.
JET Prefecture Round-up 04.04.11: Volunteer information by prefecture
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.
JET Prefecture Round-Up 03.23.11
Emily Lemmon, (Hyogo-ken, Shiso-shi, 2009-present), PSG volunteer, organizer of Hyogo-ken’s PEPY Ride, and editor of the Hyogo Times, gives a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan. To submit items for future JET Prefecture Round-up posts, e-mail Emily at jetinfogather [at] gmail.com.
My task on JETwit is to “give a little taste of what JETs are doing around Japan.” In this unprecedented time, what exactly are JETs doing around Japan? That depends a very great deal on where those JETs live.
JETs everywhere have spent time reassuring their families back home as well as fellow JETs; they have been sharing information and putting together emergency kits. They have been donating money and giving blood.
Normally I will be posting short descriptions and links for events and activities going on in different prefectures around Japan. But I want to give a slightly more general impression of how it feels out here, especially in unaffected Japan where I am lucky enough to reside. Because the JET placement process is something in which we all have very little say, it’s almost by total random chance that we all are where we are. We could just as easily have been in any prefecture; these disasters could just as easily have come at any time. It is a scary thought for JETs who, though they perhaps did not know Taylor Anderson personally, still have a pretty good grasp on what her daily life must have been like. JETs in unaffected regions struggle with finding the balance between the fact that life goes on as usual, and that nothing will ever be the same.
Akita JETs continue to collect and move supplies into the affected area. Other, more distant prefectures are following suit, although the farther we are from the disaster (and, therefore, the less affected by it), the more time and organizational effort it takes to get our stuff to Tohoku. JETs are still giving where and when they can, at post offices, at combini, and into donation boxes to be found in virtually every place of business. They wait and keep one eye on the internet for news about volunteer opportunities.
At the same time, especially in the parts of Japan where not so much as a tremor was felt, life does appear at first to go on more or less as usual. Some events are canceled (Himeji Castle’s big hanami party, for example). But our students still graduate, and those who didn’t still go to club activities. JETs are faced with plans they made long ago, and in many cases the events I list are the things that JETs have chosen not to cancel. It is difficult to celebrate when others suffer, but perhaps it is also important.
So it’s strange, because life around here is about the earthquake, but it’s not.. Our students go to club activities, but they also put together clothing and towel drives. We do what we always did out here in unaffected Japan, but we also do more than that because we donate and worry and hope and mourn too.
Nationally (and beyond!)
- Man Up for Japan is up to 4,933 participants.
- Creatively support Japan by participating in Write for Tohoku, or musically in the TerraNoble project.
- Cranes for Taylor, Cranes for JETs: JETs are encouraged to craft and photograph paper cranes in memory of Taylor Anderson.
- 3,000 Letters for Japan is a project started by Gunma ALT Jessie Zanutig to send something to brighten the days of students affected by the earthquake and tsunami disasters.
Events By Region
Hokkaido
- T-Shirt fundraiser for Tohoku, within Hokkaido only.
Kanto Region
Tokyo
- The Tokyo Yamathon (fundraiser in which participants walk the Yamanote Line) will now be contributing all raised funds to the disaster relief efforts in Tohoku.
Chubu Region
Toyama
- Toyama has organized a route for their participation in 5 to Survive!
Ishikawa
- Ishikawa is also participating in 5 to Survive! Read More