Donations

It hasn't been a complete success trying to round up the troops.

The animal food drive fell on its face, perhaps because we had to cancel the first one and then, for the second, I began the day in hospital, so any efforts were as limp as my leg.

However, thanks to lovely friends and the great takkyubin of Japan, I have a stash of donations that will make their way up to Fukushima next week.






I have some more goodies at work to add to this wee pile too, which will feed the volunteers too.

So, the next challenge in all this is more awareness, more donations and more care for the animals.

There are still some big steps to take in all this.

Four months on almost, and still so much is uncertain.

I will be back in August with a fresher mind and a new determination to help the animals and the people of Tohoku.


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Location:Kasukabe,Japan

Need a holiday?

I am putting coffee in my natto, dog food in the freezer and apparently, letting the dogs run free off their lead to explore the neighbourhood.

My computer SD slot, won't let me use it, my laptop was close to crashing last week, so I almost lost the plot.

Thankfully, today is a beautiful sunny day and I am not working tomorrow.

Last week, we decided to go on a belated honeymoon and if that wasn't booked, I think I would really lose the plot.

I am trying to organise a trip to Sendai before I go to take up some donations to hand out, yet, I fear these two dogs will rule the weekend by bringing me back early.

Next week, we are inviting friends over for the animal food drive, to collect more food donations, hopefully.

It is non stop till 13th July when it all stops.

If only I can keep my eyes open till then...

www.animalwalktokyo.com

So, today was the animal walk! The sun came out, as did many, many people, animals too, all to support JEARS! Thank you!!

I got to meet the organiser, Brandy and also another JEARS helper, Kumi!




So many animals were there with their owners. I wish I could have brought Elbi, but the journey would have been too long for him. And, I had no transport for Susie, so it was just me and my human friends.

Registration was ¥2000, all of which of course went to support the animals. The turnout was great! The facebook event had 25 confirmed, but there were most certainly more people than that!


We were each handed a map and a JEARS information leaflet and we were ready to go, after the fashion show, that was!



Given the heat, even at that early hour, it was difficult to dress the dogs in much more than the fur they already had, but there were a few clad especially for the occasion.




I think Brandy's dog was a favourite of mine, given the fact that he looked like a potential best friend for Elbi!

There was even some colour co ordination. This dog on the right, called Spike, had a gorgeous turquoise scarf on to represent the animal walk group's colour!


The dogs in the prams were adorable too, in a monster-y kind of way! Lol



One lady had designed her own T-shirt for her and her dachshund.





It just goes to show that people do care. She was also handing out flyers to help try and raise awareness amongst the Japanese people about animal shelters. So many animals are dying in Hokenjos, yet people still shop for pets like they do accessories.

Someone even brought their cat along!



All in all, the walk was a great success. We also got to meet a lady, who can help us with some more publicity. I will post the finished article here too once it is done!

It wasn't a long walk, but for some animals, it was hard work in the sun of early June.











Thanks to all those who took part! Thank you to Brandy for organising the event! I can't wait to do it again! We need more of these fun fundraising events, things that many people can enjoy, but that also give them the chance to support those in need!

Otsukaredesama to the animal walk group!

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Location:代々木公園、東京、日本。

The JEARS flyer

They accepted my flyer (you know the one to collect donations), at the local supermarket!!!!!

And it only took two members of staff and a phone call to a third!!!

I was so taken aback when the lady came and said it was OK that i was all about ready to take the laminated flyer back from her and out it in my bag!

This is such a good thing for us. Remember I have said earlier that the flyer was nowhere to be seen at the let store where I they accepted it. And remember there have been a couple of pointless rejections. This could be a turning point!

Now, if word can spread...

Also in the good news stakes today, we got a phone call about Susie! They will try to bring her tomorrow from Heart. (Tsunami survivor! I met her at the end of March on my first trip with JEARS, she was in Niigata at the time.)

Things are very exciting indeed!

And this weekend, we will have our food drive for the animals,so let's see how much we can collect!!

Rest assured there will be plenty of pics! Here is another one is Susie in the meantime.





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Location:Kasukabe,Japan

Caroline Pover of 'Being-a-Broad', has been doing so much to help Japan. And in this blog, she mentions the Sendai house!!

Awesome, http://www.carolinepover.info/2011/05/part-2/


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Pulling teeth

So, we went to the pet store yesterday and there is no sign of my donations notice anywhere.

It is so tiring. There is either red tape preventing me from getting the message across or there is the general notion that I am a foreigner with a flyer and that is all.

The post office near our house told me to come back another day when a more senior member could authorise me putting up the notice. It is just frustrating, there is space on the board and it is causing no harm.

More annoyingly so, this is a gesture so small that is helping the country in something so big.

The notice basically explains about JEARS and says that if you want to donate, here is the Sendai address or, if you want to give locally in Saitama, just call me, Lee.

It is not a rude, demanding nor forceful notice at all. I just cannot comprehend why no one will accept it.

One supermarket said a flat 'no'.

I need to adjust the techniques. One friend has suggested approaching vets at their clinics with a phot album and asking for a donation box to be put in their clinic. Sound good, right?

But, I know of just one clinic in this area....

Still, there are some more shops and people I can approach.

Next week is our food drive, where friends will come and visit us and bring something to contribute for the animals.

I even had the mother of two kids, (not even my students, such is the generosity) offer me big bag of food and snacks at school.

I now need to transport the +6kg bag home!

Basically, I want to return to Tohoku in a few weeks. I want to see Namiko San and her dog too and I want to be able to actually contribute more to the endless need for food and supplies.

Right now, I have to mail a girl about cat supplies!

Let the collection begin!!


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Location:Kasukabe,Japan

I'm a volunteer...article

I have put this article online.

While it is great people are helping, there are still places lacking the love, help and respect they need in the north of Japan.

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8971590-im-a-volunteer

- So, what did you do this Golden Week?

- Oh, I. Went to Tohoku to volunteer....and insert here the story of a beach clean up, cooking meals at evacuation centres, collecting rubble etc.

Volunteering is the new 'boom' it seems in Japan. And this is great, not just because the north needs all of our help right now, but because it will hopefully teach us all so much more about charities, donations, and the real meaning of helping a needy cause.

Having lived in Japan for five years and having worked with various organisations both here and abroad, (mostly helping animals in need), I noticed how different things were here in Japan.

While people here are very helpful and generous overall, it is slightly different when it comes to the bigger picture.

Of course there exists the big organisations like the Japanese Red Cross Society and even international NPOs, like World Hunger Relief, but only these big ones seem to get noticed.

Various countries have fun runs, mini marathons, all sorts of sponsored events, all to raise money for causes. Sadly, none of that really happens here.

I did a sponsored bike ride around the Yamanote line a couple of years ago in order to raise money for an organisation I support in Indonesia. This was shortly after the big earthquakes they had in Sumatra and the organisation had an office damaged and a boat missing too.

When I explained to people what it was I was doing and why, they were happy to help, but for many, it was the first time they had heard of something like this. You give money to someone you may not even know so well so they can send it to who? Crazy stuff.

But, this is what I know. Fundraising events are great for promoting awareness and getting people involved. Since the awful tragedies of March 11, people the world over have rallied around with all sorts of ways to raise money, send donations etc, including within Japan.

It has hit home hard how much some people need that bit of extra help and love that comes from an outside source. What does it matter if you don't know the person to whom you are sending new shoes to? What does it matter that you don't know who will enjoy the food you are sending up? The important factor here is that you are doing it and sending it with love, which is perfect for our friends in the north.

Being able to travel to the north to lend a hand is another grand gesture. So what if Golden Week is short, what is a day or two here or there? So many people are giving up their time and money to help.

This is amazing. The giving spirit that Japan is already well know for is now being shared to the wider community. People aren't so withdrawn anymore, we are all open to giving and receiving much more freely than before.

I don't doubt that this will continue. The want to share, to help, to give is boundless. We just need to be aware that all the people affected by March 11 are being helped.

The big organisations are sending all the volunteers to the areas you may hear about in the news, but Tohoku is big. So big in fact, that not everyone is getting the help they need.

Apparently, there were 300 000 volunteers in Tohoku this Golden Week, yet I was in Shichigahama and we were five. This was an area overlooked by the Government. house are just about intact, but damp. Access to shops is limited as is the water, the gas and provisions are scarce.

So, while it will always be a great thing to help and lend a hand, why not try to look for the small groups in need of assistance. Then your volunteering love will go to people not really sharing this current 'boom'.

Gambarre Tohoku. Let's keep the fighting spirit strong.

May Day

When the door opened to the JEARS apartment, I was greeted by so many faces, it was hard to keep track! There must have been about 9 people there at that time, plus Omori San, who lives upstairs.

It was a crazy encounter; I dumped my bags, got some donations from Yumi, and quickly got changed into some trousers. I packed my rain boots, my waterproofs and was good to go.

Today, I was going with Yumi's gang. I wanted to help them a little, like they helped me and also, Shichigahama is an area I am fond of as we used to go there often for so many beach BBQs.

Shichigahama still doesn't have water, local shops have limited supplies and you cannot even pee in a local convenience store, now that is saying something as usually, a convenience store sorts you out for everything.

So, why are we here? The whole of Tohoku has suffered from the events of March 11th, and so many people have suffered in so many ways. We see on the news endless tales of destruction and loss and it is to these areas only where the majority of money, food and volunteers go.

Shichigahama is a set of bays and the shape of these bays meant that some of the destruction was lessened. Small islands out to sea or inlets held of the tsunami just a little and this meant that the damage was not as severe as in some other coastal towns.

So, in Shichigahama, there are still many houses missing, flattened or ruined by the wave, but there are still many standing. And, it is for this reason the people are put aside by the Japanese Government. I suppose the logic is that they have a house, so they are OK.

This is far from true. Water is still limited if any at all, food supplies are lacking as shops cannot get deliveries still. Those with cars can access shops further away, but they must still be careful, as gas is limited too.

Yumi had heard the story of people in Shichigahama and knew she had to do something to help.

First stop was Fumiko's house.

Fumiko used to live down below by the water a long time ago. She sold her house and moved uphill. Of her former house, all that remains is the second floor. The house itself, or what is left, has been thrown over towards other buildings. Fumiko must be feeling glad for her decision to move, but, rather than dwell upon selfish mullings, she, has taken to helping all her local neighbours. She is a very jovial lady, full of energy, spirit and a lot of laughter!

We started to set down the donations (yumi had to takkyubin some of the boxes of clothes up as there simply was not enough room in the van!).

Meanwhile, Fumiko San was the first ( of many! ) to get her hair cut.

The donations were sorted out both inside and outside the house. The van was also reloaded for a wee journey down below. Some neighbours came and collected some goodies.

We drove down to the coast and saw Fumiko's old house, along with more destruction.

The harbour had bad damage and one area

was being used as a central

dumping ground for garbage. Amongst the wood and the dirt, there was a small children's toy, a stark reminder of who may be among the victims.

Along the coast, some houses were fine, some houses missing, and some marked with signs that read, 'limited entry' or 'unsafe'.

You would not expect people to be living in such buildings, but they were, somehow, and getting on with it as best they could.

Donations were accepted graciously although in a fiercely proud nation, it can be hard to offer things, even at times like this.

We even delivered to a small gas station that was open, but surrounded by destruction.

Impressive, but sad, but life goes on and the clean up must continue.

Back at the house, we sorted through more donations and reloaded the van.

Haircuts were still going on in full swing, mostly obachans, older ladies whose mobility is limited. Everyone was grateful for the support and had a little chat with us. We even got an invite for coffee at a neighbour's house, but we had to keep going.

Next stop was Yougai, down by another bay. The fishing bay had a couple of boats overturned and on top of each other.

We went right to the end of the bay to a house at the end. From the drive, you can see the beginning of Matsushima Bay,

a bay famed for it's beautiful islands and ranked one of the top three sits in Japan. Apparently, the islands broke the tsunami wave a little and were not destroyed at all. Yokatta!

I could see the tourist boats going to and from the islands, business as usual, it seems. it is Golden Week after all.

We delivered more food donations and divided them up so each neighbour could receive a bag. I walked with Rena to one house nearby. She was an old lady, very cute. Her house was not in good shape and had the 'limited entry' sticker on it. She showed us a massive crack in the driveway as she laid down her bags by her kotatsu.

I suddenly felt very empty inside. How could this lady be alone? And living in a house that was not safe? She smiled and invited us for coffee, but we had to get back to help at the main house.

We loaded the van with garbage to take to the tip. The tip was a big open space with a massive collection of frisbee, televisions, computers, not to mention rubble, all collected since March 11. There was a bad smell too.

Over by the fridges, there was a collection of toys with the Japanese flag blowing in the wind next to them. Yet another horrid reminder of the young and helpless victims.

We made a couple of trips here, offloading many things that had been damaged in the outhouse, television, shelving unit, many toys, electrical goods etc.

The hut itself had been thrown to another area of the garden completely. It was now back where it belonged but it was still wet inside. Tomorrow's was to clean and dry out everything in the outhouse and the shed.

At the end of the day, we were welcomed into Fumiko's house for snacks and juice. We all chatted and shared stories. One lady had family in Ishinomaki and her father was living in a shelter there. He wants to kill himself because life is so slow to progress. He has nothing and just lives day by day in the centre with nothing to do. She, is plagued with worry, especially as he won't leave the area as it is hometown.

Yumi gave out some remedies for the ladies of the neighbourhood (she is a herbalist by trade) and hopefully, they will feel less stress very soon.

I was also introduced to a lady whose dog had been very sick since the earthquake. She has a pomeranian and he is hardly eating and also vomiting. All the vets in the area that she knows have had their clinics destroyed or lost in the tsunami. I had to act now to help her.I promised I could return either the next day or the one after with a solution, a vet or some meds, something, anything to help.

A few calls later and I knew who to contact. I would mail the vet later, a Sasaki Sensei who has been helping immensely since the disasters. We would get this dog better quickly!

We quickly popped into the neighbour for coffee, where her hospitality was just wonderful. One coffee and two green teas later (it would have been rude to refuse) along with a chocolate bar ( the generosity is astounding - remember, we are there to give them food!), my gamman and stretch was slowly fading. I would need the toilet very soon! We were all the same.

It had been almost eight hours of running around and work and not going to the loo. We had a portable toilet, kind or and if we really wanted to we could have used this...!!!

We drove off, leaving Maria still cutting hair, ( I think she helped almost thirty people by the end of the day!!). I had to get back to my base to see what was happening.

We eventually found a conbeeny with a toilet (!)

and treated ourselves to a post-pee coffee!

Much needed and well deserved!!

Back at the JEARS house, the teams were still out. One was in Iwate collecting cats and dogs at the city hall.

The others were in Fukushima.

I was alone for a while, so Fumiko (it's her mother's apartment we renting) popped over. Omori San upstairs had made curry for the volunteers, but they hadn't returned, so I could get double helpings!

I sent mails to the vet and spoke with Fumiko about an Aigo centre nearby. Usually an Aigo centre is a friendly place for the animals. It is the hokenjos where the animals have one week to live if no one collects them, sometimes these animals come form the aigo centre, so we though we would make a plan to go there's tomorrow morning. I also wanted to sort out the sick dog, so I had a plan, i just didn't have transport.

Thank goodness for friends and good people! Fumiko was coming to get me at 9am, from there, the rest would fall into place, I was sure of it.

Yumi has a page on facebook - Follow her and her team's work here -

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DIRECT-HELP-for-victims-and-animals-REJECTED-from-shelters-in-JAPAN/185436641502603

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Location:Shichigahama & Sendai, Miyagi

Golden Week - travelling up north

So, I had never even met my travelling partners before, but Yumi chan and I had sent a few volunteer related emails and somehow I didn't feel out of place asking to hitch a lift with them to Miyagi during the busy Golden Week holiday.

Yumi had her own little group going to help an area of the Miyagi prefecture that seem to have been cast aside by the Japanese Government. Her mission is to deliver food and essentials to these areas in Shichigahama, as no one is providing for them.

They had a van packed full to the brim with so many things, boxes of clothes, croissants, fruits, washing products, you name it, it was there, all the things we take for granted in our weekly shop.

Miraculously, these kind hearted people found the space for my lard arse in the back of the car along with my over packed bags with things for my own organisation.

We were all volunteers. These days, half of Japan are volunteers. It is the new boom. Everyone wants to help in so many ways.

The expressway was busy but we were not held up.

At the stop offs, I was amazed by the volume of cars, buses and people. I have travelled to and from Sendai by road so many times and have never seen it like this. Apparently, there were 300 000 volunteers heading to Tohoku this holiday!!! That is a lot of people!!!

The road, as usual now, was bumpy in Fukushima. The roads have been fixed but some of the damage shall never go away.

Yet, this being Japan, none of this affected us at all. We got to the Izumi Inter turn off at around 4am, so we were able to sleep for a few hours before heading to the JEARS apartment.

The team sleeping in the cramped van
1. YUMI, ring leader and general awesome lady!

2. KENGO, our ever persistent driver and strong helper.
3. RENA, Kengo's wife and another awesome lady!
4. MARIA, a trained hairdresser, coming up to chop, chop, chop
5. LEE, me!

Check out this link for Yumi's work...https://www.facebook.com/pages/DIRECT-HELP-for-victims-and-animals-REJECTED-from-shelters-in-JAPAN/185436641502603

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Location:Tohoku Expressway

Searching for animals.

Currently reporting from the road back to Niigata.

It has been a long day of mostly driving. The stamina of the crew is inspiring and I am lucky to be sharing this experience.

Today we managed to leave late after various dramas, so despite my good efforts to get up early, which I did, they hadn't been necessary.

We hit the road, again, and again and again. It was a long road. We drove from the countryside plains of Niigata with it's snowy mountains and endless rice fields, to, courtesy of many long, dark tunnels, the clearer area of Fukushima, where mountains were only visible in yonder distance.

Throughout the day, it was our mission to constantly be on the look out for animals, even if we were just making a pit stop at a conbeeny, we could still use the opportunity to talk with locals and let them know about our work.

A photographer told us how, yesterday, he went into 'the zone' and there are so many dogs and cats just roaming around all by themselves.

((the zone, in case you are not aware is the area within 10 to 30 km of the nuclear plant. Only 10pm is mandatory and the rest, voluntary, but owners of pets left thinking they could return within a few days. Sadly, this is not so.))

We also met a lovely couple who had the most beautiful Labrador. We stopped and had a chat. She told us of a dog she had seen dead just up the road and took our details in case she found any that needed rescuing. It is this word of mouth that works well and it is amazing to see the support for the organisation.

We saw the coastline that had been affected from Soma, Fukushima, where it began, up as far as Yamamoto in south Miyagi. The destruction really is unreal. What we see on the news is awful, yet, seeing it in real life, still does not help comprehend what happened here. We had to swerve to dodge a big boat that had been forced form the bay over to the opposite side of the road. Gradually, the more houses we passed, the bigger the trail of destruction became.

Three weeks on, and people have started to move the debris and pile it up outside their houses. Everything on the first level was a destroyed. I watched as a family removed everything from their fish shop, from dead fish and crabs, to shop fittings and possessions, all saturated and muddy, nothing could be salvaged.

After ten minutes or so, north from Soma, the destruction spread even further inland. Very little remained of what was once a quiet little town on the coast.

Cars were smashed, wrangled and there were many scattered in the distant rice fields, which were still damp and muddy. The first floors of most houses were obliterated and those houses that were still standing with both floors, had windows smashed and curtains blowing in the wind to remind us of a family who once dwelled there, closing them to keep quiet and warm indoors. All that remained of other houses was the second floor alone. The tsunami came and swept away the base of the house leaving just the upper level. This was all that sat in the rice field.

The view was the same the whole road through, destruction, piles of debris, damaged cars, one was wrapped around a lamp post. But, the worst and saddest thing I saw today, was a little pink baby jump suit amongst the pile of debris outside a house where a wall was missing and the bathroom was on show.

As we drove along, we scoured the roads and debris for nay signs of canine of feline life. Of course, there was none. Not here, anyway. The coast was within eyesight and I could see blue calm waters, but before that lay mud, fallen trees and mess, all a sign that the water was, 3 weeks ago, was anything but calm.

We did hear dogs barking and feared that they may have been abandoned. We drove into the house and met the owners coming back from their food shopping trip. We explained to them our purpose. We offered them food, which they accepted graciously as it is scarce on these areas.

We have been o the road for 12 hours and we are not yet home. Maybe we have another hour or two on this windy, wet and, save for one truck ahead, empty road back to Niigata.

Big thanks go to
www.jears.org working with www.kinshipcircle.org (from America). they are working ever so hard to save all these animals and, when possible, reunite them with their owners.



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Location:On the road, Niigata, Fukushima, Miyagi.

Nothing to report!! Well...

On the Hawgood side of things, we are fine! We have learnt a lot from all this and the importance of being prepared. This is generally something that is taught to the Japanese from an early age, now we know why.

Dried foods and even most drinks are scarce in the shops, most certainly the cheap ones! However, we have still had our chance to stock up on oolong teas, green teas and what water we can (which hasn't been any for a few days). Isn't it ridiculous? What a time we live in for stocks to be hoarded (preparation and stocking up is very different from hoarding).

We wonder whether the fear of drinking tap water will actually subside. Japan is a nation of followers and what one does, the other will do too. This isn't always a bad thing, for example, you can tell a new or a good restaurant from the line outside, and you should be inclined to join it too.

But, the water shortages are just plain silly. I just hope enough reaches the north.

The rescue organisations are so thorough that I believe they will be OK. They just need to reach in time.

There is an amazing number of people reaching out to help everyone suffering from all this, so much so, that people have been asked to stop. Supplies are short in the north, so the best of the work really should be left to the professionals. even down south, things are super organised.

I went back to the immigration office (3rd time since 11th! just one more visit left!), which is right by the Saitama super arena. The arena has become a temporary home to thousands of people from Fukushima (nuclear evacuees, as they are known).

I had some kids things to donate, so thought I would drop them off. (I admit that a friend had said they were not taking any more donations, but didn't believe they would say no, not for the kids).

When I arrived, I had to walk the whole way around the arena to get to the uketsuke (reception area). Turning the corner, I was greeted by a heap of army personnel,and then, upstairs, a hoard of people ranging from volunteers, news reporters, starbucks workers offering free coffee, tourists having a look (that's what it seemed like, I hope they were actually doing something useful).

When I found the right person to speak to, she went of to check with someone whether they could take my things, but she came back all apologetic and refused them.

I was astounded, but I can understand how an individual donation messes up the organisation of it all. Charities all over the country are separating things themselves and sending them up to centres and this really is the best way to do it, I just thought, as I was passing...

Still, it was interesting to see it first hand. It makes you realise the work involved in all this. We just hear about it all on the news, but these are real people (hundreds of thousands displaced, living in thousands of shelters). Even though I didn't see inside, I could see up to the top and the windows were full of boxes and boxes. Poor people.

I heard that they will only stay in the arena until Wednesday or Thursday, basically the end of the month. And, I also heard that, all the diapers, sanitary towels etc, will not get used up by then (!), that is the extent of the donations.

The biggest worry is the north. Second harvest were one of the first charities on the case. They were delivering things to the north pretty much straight away, so we coudl send them things. But, I have since been given an address in Iwate. It is a residential address, and the guy is taking the things you send direct to the evacuation shelter. This is much better as you know you can help more directly than anything.

They need warm clothes, sleeping bags and anything, really. So if you are reading this in Japan, message me and I will give the address to you.

I takkyubin-ed a box up today. I'm not sure if the JP service is working, but I guess takkyubin is the better option given the size and weight of things.

Now, on another note. I think I have to post something I found on this site this morning:-

Remember my rage at the Keely Fujiyama article? WELL...

I found a comment this morning, which I have since deleted, not wanting any bad vibes.

But, I am going to post it here, because I don't have anything to hide. I resent the fact that someone thinks I am 'judging' her and that I don't know what it's like.Grrr. This is point, I DO KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE!! As do my friends in and out of Tokyo (even in Sendai, who are complaining far less than most!!!!) I am just using this blog to tell it the way it is.

Whoever wrote this to me (err, three guess who you think it might be..), clearly hasn't read anything else I have written, does not know me, nor my lifestyle, nor my connection to Sendai, and Japan itself.

Besides, I will add comments from other friends in Tokyo who agree what B.S. she is saying....

Here is the comment -

Hi Leonora Sophie, I am concerned by the level of disregard and disrespect you show to Keely re: the Sun story. Surely you have every right to judge anything any tabloid does. But her story is completely consistent with everything my friends in Tokyo report: radiation in water, food, and air. Shops basically empty. People generally very frightened. Women afraid to give their babies water. On-going aftershocks ranging from 3.0 to 7.0. This is verifiable. There are websites that show all the aftershocks and they haven't stopped, for even one day, as you well know if you're in Tokyo. How else should people be feeling, honestly, other than very frightened and desperate to get out? And have you considered that she might have had some very good reasons to get her story out? It appears your compassion ends when someone's story doesn't match up with your own. That's sad to me. Before you judge someone else so harshly, you might wish to put yourself in their shoes. And if you don't know what her life is like, please withhold judgment until you do.

By toto on Keely Fujiyama...again!!! on 3/26/11

And here are some genuine opinions from some real Tokyoites...

a) "Shops basically empty"? Oh please? Radiation in the air is less than ambient radiation in other cities!

b) What a crock of shit...actually love, we live in a much more remote part of Japan...if she read the blog at all she would have seen where we are. All bullshit, judgement? Oh please

c) I tried to post a comment under the article on the Sun, but it won't appear until after the 'moderator' has checked it... probably won't appear because I attacked the Sun pretty badly.

d) Interestingly she is getting very little sympathy from the Sun readers

e) This kind of misninformation has made even my brightest friends believe that the nuclear issue is more important than 500,000 homeless people... thanks Media!

f) Keely Fujiyama, you are a DISGRACE! You have made me feel ashamed to be British. Lies lies lies! Starving!?! Go shopping! http://ow.ly/4gbDC7:34 PM Mar 16th webから

(from twitter)

I could go on with all the comments from people living in Japan and those who have lived in it, but I would need more time.

In short, Keely's stupid story diverts the media from what is really happening, creates an unnecessary worry for our friends and family abroad worried about what they are hearing from the likes of K.F. Thanks so much.

Oh, another friend sent this - http://www.goandroam.com/webcams/japan/tokyo/

Gives you a good idea of the 'apocalyptic' town we live in..Yeah, right.

And, final rant - 'Post -Tsunami Tokyo'????

How dare the journalist, K.F, whoever get their facts so wrong.

Going to sign off for now.

Getting back into the Japanese study (exam in 6 weeks or so, I guess I should study!) and finally getting on with all the writing projects.

Gambarou, minna!!!

Bill's T-Shirts

My dear friend, Bill, who used to live in Ishinomaki, an area hard hit by the earthquake and the tsunami, is printing these tee shirts.

They are 20 Canadian dollars, which will go towards the fund for Japan.

If you wish to buy from abroad, please add some postage to the costs, so more money can be sent to Japan. If you are in Montreal he will deliver it to you personally!

The design on the tee shirt will be this -

So, please think about helping out.

We will be ordering from Japan, so if you want to share the packet with us, it might make sense.

T-shirts. Ladies and Men's sizes.

To help the victims of the 03/11 Tsunami.

20$ Canadian. (+shipping if you live outside of Mtl)

EMAIL: JapanAid2011@yahoo.ca

PHONE: (514) 616-8030.

I have paypal, so you can pay by credit card

Thank you for your support and help.

XXX

Spring Equinox.

News comes in right now of power being connected to all the reactors. The progress is slow, but it is still progress and it is steady and good. Thank you and god bless you. We just need a little more and hopefully, this will calm down by tomorrow night.

We really need to concentrate on the people up north. Four have died from sheer cold. Can you imagine it? You survive a quake, you survive a deadly tsunami, you make it to an evacuation centre, but days later die, shivering, waiting for a kerosene heater to come your way.

Keep the donations and packages coming people, please.

Water has been switched on in Sendai and most of my friends are back at work either last Friday or tomorrow. Life resumes.

The foreign media is ever relentless with their battering of the Japanese nation. Why? We, the people living here still, foreigners and locals, are tired and drained from this. It is so bad that one man has posted a video urging people to stop...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH7JYAphuTE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

(if the link doesn't work, just search for 'stop the hysteria' on YouTube)

There is even a list being compiled, a 'wall of shame' for the journalist or media outlets that have helped create this mass hysteria...

http://jpquake.wikispaces.com/Journalist+Wall+of+Shame

Even if you have nothing to contribute directly, it is very very interesting to have a read of some of the additions to the list!

And, last night's reports of radiation in our area are very positive. We see no reason not to return home.

http://www.mext.go.jp/component/english/__icsFiles/afieldfile/2011/03/20/1303902_04_1.pdf

Below is an article about a couple of 'nuclear evacuees'. At first, i thought this term would be preempting some dramatic non event, as most of the media has been doing, but we are presented with 2 genuine stories. One form a local man and also one form a foreigner. I urge you to read and then think about making that donation that you may have been postponing.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/japan/110320/japan-nuclear-evacuees?page=full

So, may the spring equinox bring about some fresh ideas and attitudes for Japan and those supporting it.

Much love xxxx

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Location:Gifu, Aichi ken, Japan

People power....Peer pressure....

Firstly, hats off to all the workers, anyone involved with the Fukushima plant.
Amidst all the heavy criticism, the doubts, the fears, they have battled non-stop to rectify a very bad situation. At no point did they think, 'I've got to get out of here', 'What if there is a nuclear fallout?', 'I can't be bothered with all this'...

No, they have pushed through, and today we finally have some good news that they are regaining control of the reactors at the plant.

THANK YOU!!!!!

I have just read this updated article from the foreign office....
http://ukinjapan.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=569052582

It basically reiterates what Beddington had said before. This guy knows his stuff, and even after repeated, precautionary, but nonetheless, annoying questions, he states that we ARE FINE!

The worse case is a cloud floating over us over 2 days, and that is ultimately a worst case involving southern blowing gale winds.

Sure the news is negative, but whose media is this? CNN have jumped on the fear bandwagon already. Spinach and milk has been found to be 'contaminated'. This is from Fukushima, right by the plant, and reports should not be blown out of proportion.

It is media like this that is giving me and all my friends a headache.

It is media like this that has driven us out of our home.

We are constantly having to fend off relatives and friends and fight for the country in which we live. One person in particular is making my life unmanageable. When people believe what they read and then relay this information as 100% fact, it is hard to contend with. When someone doubts you, it shows a lack of respect, not just for you, but for your friends, family, and the life that you lead.

We have been dealing with such things since last week, and we are exhausted.

Ironically enough, the BBC now pipe in with a report about the tsunami, saying that, one week on, it is the tsunami that is important. WE KNOW!!!!

People are suffering from lack of supplies. People are cold. We need to really help those in the north, but instead the media wants to drag Japan down into a cesspit of filth and lies.

I heard a very sad story today. They need diapers desperately. We sent some boxes up today, but stupidly no diapers.
If you are reading this and are in Japan, please send more to Second Harvest. I posted the link in another post. The address is in Tokyo and can be done with regular post.

Here is the story I heard from my friend....

・ I need to change my daughter's diaper, but there is any diaper left.

・ We evacuated to the shelter. We have a baby crying in the night, it seems to make people annoyed. We are at a loss.

"・ I am looking for my wife every day, but she is still missing. I have nothing to confirm her safe...

・ Gasoline has run out. We can't go to our uncle's funeral.

・ Our family was ok, but our house, money, everything were washed away by tsunami. We have no hope in the future.

・ Water is still cut off in the shelter. Sanitary condition is getting worse day by day. An increasing number of evacuees sufeer from a wide range of physical irregularities."

We need to focus on helping. Hopefully, we will be able to follow this man more. Prayers and love to his family. I hope he can at least say good bye to his uncle.

After all this ranting, I want to end on a heartwarming note; animals reunited with their owners...

http://www.ctv.ca/gallery/html/japan-quake-dogs-pets-victims-110318/index_.html

God bless them all xxxxxxxxxx








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Gift City, Gifu, Japan.

One week on....

And progress is slow, but everyone involved is working more than their utmost, risking their lives.

As the death toll rises, the problems in the north are being shadowed by the drama of the nuclear power plant explosions.

I am not saying this doesn't matter,it. is the hype that has gotten into the foreign press that has made the situation unbearable for us all here within Japan.

I saw a report tonight for the levels of radiation and in our area of Saitama, they were at 0.06 microsieverts. Now, if we take into account that, scans and X-rays can be up to 7000 msv, then, we surely needn't create a flurry of fear amongst a nation with enough to worry about.

http://andyheather.posterous.com/radiation-levels-japan

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110319f1.html

Meeting with friends has been therapeutic, and living through a normal day is nice, although watching the television still makes me astounded that this has happened here.

But, despite all the troubles, Sendai is slowly up and running again. Been the airport is functioning and a lot of my friends are back at work. The expressway is open for emergency vehicles and relief can get through to where it is needed. Families have been asked to accept temporary accommodation around the country and we saw a report of those in Nagoya being offered emergency accommodation.

Many people are making donations, be it clothes at various drop offs, or sending packets to the many addresses we have been told. Together, we will help make things better.

XXX


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山形県庁で働いている友達からの情報です。
This information is from my friend who works at the Yamagata Prefectural office.

山形に多くの避難民が到着していて、その人たちへの支援物品は
下記の住所で受け付けてます。
Many evaucuees are arriving in Yamagata. The address and the necessary relief goods are as follows:

・毛布（未使用品もしくは洗濯済み）
Blankets (new and/or washed)
・保存できる食品（カップ麺、缶詰、菓子類、など）
Canned food/Instant noodles/Snacks, etc.
・粉ミルク
Powdered milk
・食品用ラップ
Saran Wrap
・紙おむつ（大人用、赤ちゃん用）
Diapers (Adult and Baby)
・衛生用品（生理用品、石鹸、シャンプー）
Sanitary items/soap/shampoo
・タオル（未使用品）
Towels (new)
・医薬品（マスク、かぜ・胃薬などの市販薬）
Medicine Supplies (Mask, Over-the-counter medicine for Cold, Antacid stomach, etc.)
・下着・靴下（未使用品）
Underwear/Shoes/Socks (new)
・清掃用品（ほうき・ちりとり・雑巾など）
Cleaning supplies (Broom/Dust pan/Cleaning Rags)

Please send to:

山形市総合スポーツセンター
住所：〒990-0075 山形市落合町1番地
　 救援物資受付管理班

Yamagata Sogou Sport Center
　　〒990-0075
1 Ochiaimachi Yamagata-shi
(Kyuenbusshi Uketsuke Kanrihan)
4 hours ago · Like · · Subscribe
Aya Ogasawara likes this.

Julie Naoumi TEL: 023‐625‐2288
To send it to this address by Takkyuubin, they need the phone number.
宅急便で送る場合は電話番号が必要なので、電話番号載せておきます。
about an hour ago · Like



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Positivity & Proactivity

Today is all about positivity and proactivity.

Interesting articles are finally emerging about the 'the truth' and more inside stories are being shared.

Here is on article I just read, with ways to help too.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=14yJAzaZwTmoSpVXmAWxXclJ0kDt7VecLDS3beD_dyeUJTsMVkcmqikepQFz8&hl=en&pli=1

Things are falling apart, but we can pull it back together.

People can also send packages of useful stuff to an address in Tokyo. Second harvest is a charity running supplies up to Sendai every other day.

http://www.2hj.org/index.php/news/send_us_food_and_supplies/

We really need to focus on this or more people will die unnecessarily.

As for the radiation, i haven't caught up with the news so much just yet. I saw that America fears the worst, but surely, if there is an issue, Japan should be more concerned. We are All fine. In fact, my boss just call me to say that all the foreign teachers have gone. But, all Japanese people are fine. How is he supposed to run his business?

And..in a detailed article, there is good news for Fukushima.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/17/fukushima_thursday/

It is one week to the day of the major earthquake. What has happened here is unreal. But, what is important is that we need to believe and fight back and help. Let's make today the day of positivity and proactivity.

Thank you and god bless you Japan xxx






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Location:１丁目,Nagoya,Japan

The Japanese spirit is AMAZING

We have turned on the television for the first time since the massive quake and I am reduced to tears. Not just tears produced by exaggeration, but tears of genuine strength and love.

The news has shown pictures of a battered town, Ishinomaki (from whence we have spent days waiting to hear news..but it had come and it is good!,).

There was nothing there. By the hills, where there were some shops and, some houses, there was rubble. It has finally sunk home what has happened.

And, what makes it worse, is that we are here. Not being at home is like saying to people abroad that they are right; Japan is in trouble and beyond help.

THIS IS NOT TRUE.

Japan is nowhere near danger. So many countries have been too quick to criticise, to scold and to blame, but actually, never have I seen a country be more prepared and organised and thoughtful in such a tragedy.

The news gave some relatives the chance to send a message to family members lost in the chaos. An 8 year old girl cries ' otosan', while her mother explains how the father got lost in the quake. It is all done in a realistic way that makes you only admire the Japanese spirit even more.

My mother has been at least twenty times as hysterical, yet, had she read the media properly (and not the sun and bullshit.com), she would know that we are fine.

The British embassy even told me we weren't priority when I followed strict instructions to email them I was Ok. They got my information and then told me, quite understandably, that, not being near the epicentre, I was not top of the list. Also, (and you can read a previous post for this), no one in Britain, believes there is a threat.....the experts that is.

We know, here in Japan, that we have access to all medias, so, to hear that we are being fed false media is hard to believe.

For the first time in my life, I trust the government profusely. I cannot begin to praise the work being done for us here, especially by the workers at the plant. I cannot believe that there are such amazing people out there. God bless them, again and again. Words fail me.

I wish we hadn't left, but I know that there was little choice. We were far in the countryside and we don't have a car yet (although the day of the big earthquake we translated my licence and are almost there!).

Had circumstances been different, we would have stayed, but with very few few trains and many many nagging headaches, we left. I miss our home already and already feel like I am not there. There was a quake tonight, similar in strength to last night, but we felt nothing here. That is weird....

On a plus note, ideas have been forming for some decent ways to help. More, as and when they develop.

For now, I beg the media to back off. Japan is taking a battering from Mother Nature, it does not need a battering from the rest of the world. And please, please, please can someone sort out the news reports....BBC and CNN need to sort out their stories...biased...oh yes...selfish...oh yes' sensationalism...oooooooh yes.... That is NOT news. Get it right.






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Location:Nagoya, Japan

Awesome, but mental...one big bag of cash?!?!

God bless her and those who her money will help xxx

The Yomiuri Shimbun

OSAKA--An Osaka woman in her 70s has made a 10 million yen donation to help victims of last week's catastrophic Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, city officials said.

The woman came to city hall at about 10 a.m. Monday and handed over a paper bag containing the cash. "I hope this can be used to help the victims," the officials quoted the woman as saying.

Osaka Mayor Kunio Hiramatsu said to reporters he would make sure the "generous gesture would be used to uplift people in the affected region."

(Mar. 16, 2011)


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Location:Nagoya,Japan

Day five....

Since Friday, my head has been a twisted mess. I had so many plans to do so much over the past few weeks, but with the move, it was this week and the next few that were crucial to my own progress in the writing world. For the first time, I was going to have the time to focus on organising the many ideas etc that I have.

You would think that, with all this 'free' time, I would have achieved so much, but, no. My mind has been blocked.

For the first two days, I was stunned, shocked beyond belief. I knew earthquakes could happen, but the tsunami and it's devastation had caused damage beyond belief. With so many people missing at this time, it was hard to know what to think.

Sendai is my Japanese home town and I love it. The beauty in the north is astounding and the area is very famous for one of Japan's top three sights, Matsushima Bay. The people in Sendai are wonderful, and I was shown a wonderful, memorable time and made many, many friends.

Thankfully,at this time, most of the people we know are all well, if stranded and cold. We are still waiting for a couple more. Today I called one person we know and her phone went to voicemail, which is a good sign. I called another friend of a friend and the phone couldn't connect. I cried. Thankfully my friend was positive, and it is true, lots of power is still down. We have hope.

After pulling myself away from the computer on Sunday, we decided to enjoy life for what it was. The people around us are inspirational. The people of Japan are being praised and admired for their resilience and it is truly powerful. Going out and about talking to people, seeing people getting back into the swing of things made me (us) feel so much better.

This has been a dreadful atrocity yet, we need to pull through this. One of my friends in Sendai stated quite frankly that 'we will get through this' and she is right. Her attitude is admirable and she is not alone in this thinking.

Then, bless her cotton socks, her first thing was to apologise for probably not being able to come to Tokyo for our wedding celebration!!! She told me how the ceiling in Sendai station had collapsed. Of course, there is no wedding. We can't. How could we?

One thing that is weird is that her boss has given her until Thursday to get back to work.....that is this Thursday 17th, less than a week after the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan. Maybe a bit too much resilience, right?!

Taking a leaf out of this book, we are going to get back on it tomorrow. So long as the radiation levels are good and we don't have to leave, then we are getting back on it. We couldn't finish unpacking for fear of another earthquake and the same with all the work we have to do.

Well, no more excuses. We are so lucky to be alive and we are here to make music, to write and, hopefully very soon, to help our friends in the north. So, please don't mistake my rants above for complaining. I am just tying to show how much this can absorb you. It is easy to get too into it, but it is also difficult to balance the news inputs and move away from the screen.

We all just pray for a swift resolution to it all, but with a magnitude 6 earthquake in Shizuoka earlier (felt by most of Honshu), it is hard to know what is the best thing to do next.

Tonight, we are watching Friends, really easy television to lighten the mood and it's working.

More tomorrow, guys. Love xxx




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Location:Kasukabe,Japan