Michael Blodgett is a former JET Program participant who lived and worked in Miyagi from 2005-2007. He is originally from the Chicago area and is currently living and working in Osaka.
Michael recently participated in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs sponsored program to revisit the Tohoku area following the earthquake and tsunami in March. The following video captures his experience.
On Friday March 11 2011, I finished my Japanese class and noticed some friends huddled round somebody’s iPhone. I presumed a new app was being shown off but the mood was a little different. Something had happened.
Fast forward to Sunday morning and I found myself thinking about how much I should donate to what, by now, had become an immeasurable tragedy. The previous night I had been at a party in Ehime and as a bolt-on to the event, boxes had been laid out to collect donations. This of course was a very good thing to do however, I couldn’t help thinking that the pictures I was seeing on TV didn’t really match up to a few boxes of random (but of course, helpful) objects and a box of coins. I felt that I needed to give more than just coins. Maybe five thousand. Maybe ten thousand yen. Maybe more. Ichi man is a decent chunk of money but in the circumstances, it was the very least I could donate.
As the slight malaise from the previous nights revelries subsided, I thought about this more and wondered if any of my friends would be interested in doing the same. By lunch time, “Man Up for Japan” was born (in my head only), by dinner time, I passed the idea onto AJET. Within about two weeks, 5000 people had said they would donate ichi man to a disaster relief charity of their choice. The response was staggering.
Being asked to write ‘the story of…’ is something that I’m a little uncomfortable to do. All I did was come up with a pun. The success of the campaign was down to the general decency of the JET population and an appreciation for Japan and what it has done for us. With that in mind, I think the ‘Man up’ campaign and its success is something that we should all be proud of. お疲れ様でした.
I am a former JET participant, now living in North Carolina, and I have been heading up a fundraiser here called Wear It For Japan. I sell t-shirts online and at local venues and donate all proceeds (every dollar received) to the Red Cross’ Japan Earthquake Fund and CRASH Japan (a volunteer mobilization organization based in Japan).
Former JET participants living in the US or Canada are welcome to purchase shirts online at here. Unfortunately, I do not ship to
Japan.
Thank you,
Bethany Nuckolls
The Liquid Now is a project lead by Shun Endo. Shun was a former ALT in Ushiku City, Ibaraki Prefecture (1998-2001). He is a graphic designer and musician living in Seattle, Washington. His music is heavily influenced by British, American, and Japanese indie bands. The music is layered with catchy melodies, and the music and lyrics portray a broad spectrum of themes. Currently, the band is writing new songs, making videos, and contemplating a few shows in the Seattle area.
Shun says: On March 11th, 2011, I just happened to be watching TV when they showed the tsunami sweeping through the farmlands of Natori near Sendai. Having family and friends in the areas hit by the tsunami and earthquakes, it really upset me. I have friends in Sendai, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and most of my family live in Iwate Prefecture. I had to do my part. I donated, but I also wrote a song. I shot a video. It Won’t Be Long is about recovery and hope. When I lived in Japan on the JET Program, I deeply moved by the summer festivals, or matsuri. The sense of community, unity, and joy I felt at those events was incredible. That was the inspiration for this song and video. I pray and hope that the affected regions can recover soon and once again partake in those happy moments. Please watch the video, download the free song, and help Japan.
Emma Nixon (Pierce) from Nagano sent us a a couple of stories to share…
My husband, Daniel Pierce – a Nagano JET- was part of the 2nd team of the NGO Peaceboat to volunteer in Ishinomaki April 1-8. Since then, he has been to Miyagi once more, also helping in Minamisanriku. His story and pictures are here (with more coming from his second trip):
http://daniel-and-emma.tumblr.com/post/4524954967/volunteering-in-ishinomaki
Also, during Golden Week, I volunteered in Ishinomaki with 3 other ALTs from Nagano prefecture (one other JET) and 2 other international teammates from Tokyo. I went with the NGO PeaceBoat. It is amazing how people have come from all over Japan and even the world to help volunteer. It was a great experience. I wrote about it here:
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