Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

March 11 disaster builds international friendships

National Jan. 16, 2012 - 11:55AM JST ( 18 )

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Across the disaster-hit Japan's northeast, nearly 900,000 people have so far joined volunteer activities

Map locating the tsunami-damaged city of Ishinomaki in northeast Japan

Focus for volunteers has now moved from initial stages of cleaning up debris to rebuilding Japan's shattered communities

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18 Comments

4

spudmanJan. 16, 2012 - 08:07AM JST

Ishinomaki a former whaling town could maybe look at eco tourism. Got to be people willing to see live whale instead of on a plate.
3

Hide SuzukiJan. 16, 2012 - 09:00AM JST

Great story, nice to read stories like this on JT
3

Nicky WashidaJan. 16, 2012 - 09:07AM JST

These guys are representing all foreigners in Japan and doing a great job. Thank you guys! You are busting down far more barriers than just physical ones.
4

smartacusJan. 16, 2012 - 09:13AM JST

Good human interest story. More like this please.
2

Samantha Zoe AsoJan. 16, 2012 - 09:22AM JST

Had tears in my eyes reading that....but I am a bit of a soppy so and so. It is so lovely to hear that through all this tragedy, a ray of light is shining. Something good is coming out. To all the foreigners over there who are rallying round to help those poor people, as Nicky said, a huge pat on the back. Hearts and minds are opening up to the fact that in the end, we are all just people. This article has really warmed the cockles of my heart this chilly morning.
7

tokyokawasakiJan. 16, 2012 - 10:09AM JST

Hi guys and gals, I too have volunteered in Ishinomaki a few times. I plan to go back again soon. I also designed some fund raising T-shirts, which I asked the children within Minato Shogakko (which was acting as a shelter) to draw the pictures for me. You can see some of my work (I am the one with the hat and glasses) and/or buy a t-shirt here: www.gambaroutohoku.com

Ishinomaki was one of the worst affected areas. To see it with my own eyes for the first time back in late March and early April was heart breaking... They still have a very long way to go, so please keep up with your support.

And thanks to JT for keeping these articles and stories in circulation.
1

Heda_MadnessJan. 16, 2012 - 10:33AM JST

I don't know Jamie but I know a lot of people who do and who have worked with him and his 'It's Not Just Mud' group.

There's a very good interview on the BBC with him as well.

Legend.
1

Heda_MadnessJan. 16, 2012 - 10:37AM JST

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16377120
3

wnagler1Jan. 16, 2012 - 10:38AM JST

I have become very close class mates of mine from my Amerian Ivy League business school MBA program and gotten to know so many inspirational Japanese people because of wanting to help them and know them and their culture much better since 3/11.

One Japanese guy, a musician who lives in Tokyo has become my best friend in the world.
1

Sara SultanaJan. 16, 2012 - 10:46AM JST

Nice to know it.
2

Heda_MadnessJan. 16, 2012 - 10:48AM JST

TokyoKawasaki, well done on all your work - hope the t-shirts can raise a lot of money and help the community to rebuild. It is no longer a disaster area but a recovery one. But the people still need a lot of support.

Well done!
0

Nicky WashidaJan. 16, 2012 - 12:41PM JST

@tokyokawasaki - wow. Just wow. That is one of the most powerful films of the disaster I have yet seen.
0

Arturo HernandezJan. 16, 2012 - 01:12PM JST

I wish we could do more about these terrible situation, in Mexico, we are concern...
3

Jamie El-BannaJan. 16, 2012 - 01:36PM JST

Thanks for the nice comments all! You can find more info on INJM at http://itsnotjustmud.com , http://www.facebook.com/ItsNotJustMud or on twitter @itsnotjustmud or my personal twitter @jamie_elbanna
0

Jay QueJan. 16, 2012 - 02:11PM JST

Recovery is a marathon...
http://youtu.be/V6JIZBPhono
Even of on the sidelines, those in the race need our encouragement and support. Gambatte. http://prayforjapan.org
My prayers are with the survivors and all those lost. Thank you to all who care.
0

oginomeJan. 17, 2012 - 03:08AM JST

“But now I have many. They are my great treasure—the treasure of my life,” Hashimoto said.

This was really sweet. Well done to all the volunteers for what they're doing.
1

Patrick HattmanJan. 17, 2012 - 06:42AM JST

Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when the government largely stays out of the way.
1

FightingVikingJan. 17, 2012 - 10:28AM JST

Would have loved to volunteer myself but... sometimes one's "situation" makes it just impossible... At least my son did his part (in April last year) by bringing 300 kilos of necessary items from France, donated by his friends and colleagues from five European nations (entirely on his own initiative) and with money he had been given by those who hadn't had time to go shopping, we bought pre-washed rice, canned foods, etc. which were then transferred by "Second Harvest" to Fukushima.