Japan/America Society of Kentucky Japan Earthquake Updates

See How Japan has Rebuilt in the 11 Months Since the Earthquake and Tsunami

Japan America Society of Kentucky — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:05:56 GMT

Japan’s Reconstruction Agency will be inaugurated Friday, almost 11 months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the country. The agency will streamline the process to help municipalities, set up special reconstruction zones and provide subsidies for disaster-hit local governments.

$245 Billion in post disaster reconstruction package.

15,846 people found dead

3,320 people still missing.

2 missing people found dead this year.

240 orphans in the three most severely affected prefectures, Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima.

16 Million tons of disaster waste in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the hardest hit areas of Japan.

2.4 Million drop of tourists coming to Japan in 2011 from a year previously.

6 Months lost in the average life expectancy for a Japanese woman following the disasters, down from 86.4 years in 2010 to 85.9 in 2011.

3 Months lost in the average life expectancy for a Japanese man following the disasters, down from 86.4 years in 2010 to 85.9 in 2011.

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 1 year Anniversary

JASK — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 20:17:52 GMT

As we reach the one year anniversary of last year's Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, the Japan America Societies across the United States, alone with other organizations, have contributed a total of $24.2 million to the relief effort. This extraordinary humanitarian effort has brought relief to the victims, and a new element to the US-Japan grassroots relationship. On March 11, 2011, an earthquake struck off the coast of Japan, churning up the devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland in Northern Japan, and set off warnings as far away as the west coast of the United States, and South America. Recorded as a 9.0 on the Richter scale, it was the most powerful quake to ever hit the country.

One year after the tsunami ravaged Japan, incredible progress has been made, but there are many places where more support is still needed to support the victims, especially orphans and other children.

(Above) an Ofunato street in the heavily hit Iwate Region March 14, 2011, and again January 2012.

(Above) The Sendai Airport on March 14, 2011, and again in January 2012.

Open Letter of Thanks and Resolve from Prime Minister Naoto Kan

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:16:37 GMT

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan published an open letter of thanks and resolve in the Washington Post, Friday. In the letter, he thanks Japan's "friends around the world" for the "kizuna ('bonds of friendship')" shown to Japan in the wake of the recent disasters. In particular, PM Kan thanks the United States, Japan's "most important friend and ally" for its assistance and the assistance of its citizens. The Prime Minister goes on to express the resolve of the Japanese people in recovering from these tragedies:

The Japanese people rose from the ashes of the Second World War using our fundamental strength to secure a remarkable recovery and the country’s present prosperity. I have not a single doubt that Japan will overcome this crisis, recover from the aftermath of the disaster, emerge stronger than ever, and establish a more vibrant and better Japan for future generations.

Please take a moment to read the entire article on the Washington Post's website.

Relief Funds Raised By Japan/America Societies Reaches $9M

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:08:48 GMT

As of April 15, the amount of money raised by Japan/America Societies across the United States has reached $9,000,000!

Japan/America societies are intended to foster cooperation and understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States. We can all be proud that this mission is being fulfilled in this hour of dire need through the generous contributions of our many donors.

Thanks, all of you!

U.S. Ambassador to Japan John V. Roos' Address to American's re Disaster in Japan

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 09:58:37 GMT

See the address here.

Toyota/Red Cross Bluegrass Community Walk a Success!

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:15:37 GMT

Toyota and the Red Cross held a Bluegrass Community Walk on Saturday to benefit the victims of the disasters in Japan. The walk was held in very cold weather at Coldstream Park and managed to raise about $10,000 for relief!

Read more about it on Kentucky.com, here.

Kentuckians Called on to Help Japanese

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:15:52 GMT

Representative Steve Riggs has filed a resolution calling on Kentuckians to help the victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan.

Read more at WKYT's website, here.

A copy of Representativ'e Riggs' resolution can be found here.

Japan's Emperor Encourages Japanese People with Historic Speech

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:16:21 GMT

Japan's Emperor Akihito addressed the Japanese people by television today for the first time in the country's history. His historic message was one of resolve and encouragement.

See a CNN article about the address, here.

Read a full translation of the address, here.

JASK Comments on Local News Regarding Japanese Tragedy

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:01:10 GMT

JASK Executive Director Matt Krebs was featured last night on local Lexington television news station WKYT. Matt commented about the impact of the earthquakes and tsunamis on Japan and on JASK. In addition, Matt mentioned the Kentucky-Japan Relief Fund that JASK is organizing to aid victims of the disaster.

The interview can be seen here.

Statement from CIE Chairman

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:53:07 GMT

Taizo Watanabe, the Chairman of the John Manjiro Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange has issued this statement regarding the effect of the earthquakes and tsunamis and expressing his gratitude for American sentiment.

Kentucky-Japan Relief Fund

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:55:16 GMT

Dear Friends,

We announce the opening of a fund for concerned persons throughout Kentucky to contribute to rebuilding efforts in our beloved nation of Japan.

http://jask.org/donate.

While we wish we could be in Japan now, helping those whose lives have been disrupted, we begin by organizing contributions in Kentucky. Every penny of your contributions* will be handed off to relief and rebuilding efforts in Japan. The decisions about distribution will be made by the board of directors at the Japan/America Society of Kentucky. We will closely monitor the needs of communities that are connected to Kentucky and contribute to efforts that will have a long-term impact. Your suggestions are welcome.

You may check-in for updates of interest to Kentuckians at http://jask.org/japan.

We cannot comprehend the loss that our families and friends in Japan have experienced, but we have hope that joy and beauty may yet arise from this tragedy.

Sincerely,

JASK Board Members and Staff

*Donations made by credit card via Paypal are subject to a ~2% service fee. You may choose to mail a check to JASK at 464 Chenault Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601.

Update: Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Efforts

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:19:16 GMT

Dear JASK Members and Friends,

There has been and will continue to be a gratifying outpouring of support from the JASK community for our friends and family in Japan. We continue to monitor the relief efforts underway across the world. In particular, our national network of Japan/America Societies is organizing a variety of projects and people to assist. As we determine the ideal role for our network in Kentucky, we will invite your direct participation. Your suggestions are welcome by email (programs@jask.org) or phone (859-224-7001). In the meantime, we invite your contributions as per this statement.

We will be creating a blog page today for informational updates related to the disaster and relief efforts. We will notify you again today when this page is live. Immediate relief efforts are underway throughout Japan; indeed, the extent of damage is not yet fully known. We plan to contribute in the longer-term, as well as immediately, as the work of recovery will last for months and years.

A number of Kentuckians were in Sendai and its surrounding cities in 2009 for a citizen exchange program. If you are looking for your host family, you may find an update here, courtesy of the Manjiro/Whitfield Center for International Exchange.

With sadness and hope,

JASK Board Members and Staff

Message from National Association of Japan/America Societies

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:23:36 GMT

Dear NAJAS Members,

All of us have been moved by the tragic events still unfolding in Japan. As help gets to the affected areas, we know the casualty figures will rise. We can only hope that the efforts to contain the damage at the power plants will prove successful. Even with the large amount of information available, it will take time for the true scale of the disaster to become apparent.

We herald the efforts of individual Japan-America Societies and their dedicated staffs to respond. Many are helping find people, raise money and provide needed information to interested Americans. Many have helped raise awareness through interviews with news media in their areas. All are vital functions for JAS.

NAJAS has been in contact with the US Embassy (the staff has been temporarily relocated), The National Association of America-Japan Societies, the Center for International Exchange and other organizations, to express our concern and our network’s desire to help. As communication is restored, we hope that there will be ways to engage our sister America-Japan Societies in the affected areas. I will keep you all informed on our efforts in this area.

Japanese and international organizations are addressing the vital needs in Tohoku at this moment. But shattered lives and communities will need help over the longer term. One of the lessons learned after the Kobe earthquake back in 1995 ( Bill was engaged in fund raising and also some volunteer work in the area), is that the opportunities to help will be ongoing for months and months. People-to-people grass roots needs will emerge soon and will be enduring. In addition to immediate fund-raising and relief, our network can play a role in creating hope for those recovering from the disaster.

Responding to the initial disaster is critical. But, when the news spotlight is focused elsewhere on the globe, great needs will still exist... as well the opportunity to help.

Thank you, again, for all that you are doing. Let us hope together that the next few days bring relief and safety to our friends in Japan.

Regards,

Peter and Bill

Peter Kelley

President

National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc.

1225 19th Street, NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

Phone: 202-429-5545

Fax: 202-429-0027

pkelley@us-japan.org

www.us-japan.org

Message from Japan/America Society of Southern California

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:43:04 GMT

Dear JAS Members and Friends,

We cannot thank you enough for your tremendous outpouring of donations to the American Red Cross, as well as our 2011 Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.

Our message to the public has been carried by CNN, CNN en Español, MSNBC, NPR, KPCC, KCRW, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, The Rafu Shimpo, The Nikkan Sun, and hundreds of news websites worldwide. In addition, we are working closely with the Washington, D.C. based National Association of Japan-America Societies, which serves as a network among the 37 Japan America societies in North America, to coordinate relief efforts with our 24 counterpart America-Japan societies in Japan. We are hopeful that the broad media attention to disaster relief efforts, and work with societies on both sides of the Pacific will result in an even larger response to assist in the relief and recovery for our friends and loved ones who have been affected by the terrible disaster.

Below is a list of special "drive-through" disaster relief fundraisers on Monday and Tuesday. They are sponsored by the American Red Cross and the local ABC and NBC television networks, and supported by the Japan America Society of Southern California. We encourage you to participate and ask that you also share these additional relief fundraising opportunities with your family and friends.

Please help us to further our relief efforts by spreading the word. Kindly forward this message to your circle of contacts and organizations so they may have easy link access to donations and information.

Once again, our prayers and thoughts are with everyone living in Japan and with loved ones here in the U.S.

Sincerely,

Nancy Woo Hiromoto, Chairman
Douglas Erber, President
Terry Hara, Co-Vice Chair & Chairman Elect
Teruo Tabuchi, Co-Vice Chair

Message from Japan/America Society of Southern Indiana

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:39:13 GMT

Dear JASI Members and Friends,

By now, you are undoubtedly aware that on Friday, March 11, at 2:46 p.m. Japan Standard Time, an estimated magnitude 8.9 earthquake occurred just off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan. This is the largest scale earthquake to occur in recorded Japanese history, with widespread damage being reported, especially in the Tohoku region. The Tokyo area has also been affected. The earthquake has been followed by numerous aftershocks and tsunamis, including a devastating 33-foot high tsunami that swept through the town of Sendai and traveled nearly one mile inland. Hundreds have been killed with many more reported missing, and the death toll is expected to rise.

All of us have relationships with the people of Japan. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy go to the families, friends, and coworkers of those who have been directly affected.

The Japan-America Society of Indiana is establishing a statewide Japan Earthquake Relief Fund that will be available to accept donations early next week. In the meantime, donations can be made through the website of the Japan-America Society of Indiana at www.japanindiana.org. All donations are tax deductible and will be transferred in a timely manner to appropriate relief organizations assisting the affected areas in Japan.

Indiana has many connections to this northern region of Japan. Many companies with factories or offices here in Indiana also have facilities in the region that has been affected by the earthquake and tsunami, and a number of those companies have temporarily closed factories. Additionally, Indiana’s sister state, Tochigi Prefecture, has suffered damage, as has Kuji City in Iwate Prefecture, sister city of the City of Franklin.

For up-to-minute news coverage of conditions in Japan, you can find NHK broadcasts (Japanese TV) on their website at: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

With millions in Japan without power, direct communication has been difficult. Japanese mobile phone companies have set up disaster message boards for their customers to post their location and condition. These messages can be viewed via internet by inputting the user’s cell phone number. The list is available on the website of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago which serves a ten-state region including Indiana. http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/index.htm

The Japan-America Society of Indiana will endeavor to provide updates on the conditions in Japan and the connections to our members here in Indiana.

日本地震支援基金設立のお知らせ　

皆様ご承知のとおり、3月11日(金曜日)午後2時46分、日本現地時間、マグニチュード8.9という、日本の観測史上最大の地震が発生し、日本海側の東北地方をはじめ、地震および津波による深刻な被害が報告されています。また引き続き各地で余震も報告されています。

皆様のご家族、友人、そして同僚の皆様が、無事でありますように心よりお祈りしております。

インディアナ日米協会では、日本地震支援募金をインディアナ州全体を対象に立ち上げ、来週早々にでも各地からのご寄付を受け付けられるよう準備を整える予定です。当面は、インディアナ日米協会のウェブサイト(www.japanindiana.org)よりご寄付をいただけます。全てのご寄付は、税控除の対象となり、日本の適切な救済組織に全額寄付をさせていただきます。

各報道局、ニュースサイトのほか、在シカゴ日本国総領事館(http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/)のウェブサイトでも、地震情報、また各携帯電話会社、電話会社などの家族安否紹介サイトへのリンクが紹介されています。

インディアナ日米協会では引き続き皆様に情報をお伝えしてまいります。

Powerful Earthquakes and Tsunami Rock Japan

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:54:11 GMT

Our thoughts go out to all those living in Japan or with loved ones in the area as a series of powerful earthquakes--including one 8.9 magnitude quake--and a tsunami have struck the northeastern portion of the country. The 8.9 magnitude quake is the largest earthquake to strike Japan since recording began, 140 years ago. The resulting tsunami is reported to have been 10 meters tall.

If you know of somebody affected by the earthquakes or tsunami who needs help or if you know of a need that JASK could lend a hand with, please let us know via email at programs@jask.org.

Read more about the earthquake and tsunami on Reuters.

Find loved ones on Google's person finder.

Donate to the International Red Cross or GlobalGiving.org.