Ambassador Roos – 2 year anniversary event

3/16/13 Tokyo, Japan

http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/ann?a=20130316-00000031-ann-int

U.S. Ambassador to Japan, John Roos talking about the two year anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in the Tohoku region, on 3/11. An event was held to honor those who were affected including Ayaka Ogawa who lost her entire family in the tragedy. Through the help of the Tomodachi Initiative, she is now living in Michigan and attending school.

http://usjapantomodachi.org/

 

 

 

Statement from USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye on the Second Anniversary of March 11, 2011 – Press Release

From US Japan Council

March 11 2013

For Immediate Release

Two years ago today, Japan suffered enormous tragedy.  On the second anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, we remember the loss, but also recognize the progress made towards recovery and the strength and determination of the people of the Tohoku region.

I am currently in Japan with the 2013 Japanese American Leadership Delegation. This program brings Japanese Americans to Japan to build people-to-people connections with Japanese leaders from all sectors of society. For the first time in program history, the delegation visited Fukushima, where we learned about the state of the recovery efforts and sought to demonstrate that Fukushima is a safe and enjoyable place to visit. It was especially meaningful to be there on the anniversary of the disasters. From seniors to school children, we were inspired by the resilience and spirit of the people there.

We visited a temporarily-constructed elementary school that brings together three schools in one facility, spent time at Fukushima Medical University and toured an agricultural inspection center. At the exact moment of the earthquake, 2:46 p.m., we were at Odagaisama Center, a community support center for evacuees living in temporary housing. We observed a collective moment of silence.

Every visit in Fukushima reflected the sentiment that people want to share their experiences with the world so that others can benefit from the lessons learned. As Japanese Americans, we understand the importance of sharing one’s story in order to find common ground as the first step to building people-to-people and country-to-country connections.

Many alumni of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation program have shown a commitment to supporting Japan, reflecting the strong bonds built while on the trip. Past participants, along with U.S.-Japan Council Members and Board Members, have made numerous trips to the Tohoku region since the disasters.

The U.S.-Japan Council continues to support recovery and revitalization through TOMODACHI, our major initiative launched with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo with the support of the Government of Japan, corporations, organizations and individuals from the United States and Japan. In 2012, close to a thousand young people participated in TOMODACHI programs, contributing to our mission of investing in the next generation of Japanese and Americans. We are fortunate that several of our successful programs from 2012 will be repeated in 2013 and beyond.  We are seeing great strides being made in creating a true “TOMODACHI Generation” of young people who care about each other’s countries and cultures.

We have also been committed to supporting the growing non-profit sector in Japan. Many of the organizations we funded through our initial USJC Earthquake Relief Fund have stayed engaged with the Council by attending our events and networking with their American counterparts. By providing platforms for the exchange of information and by building a strong network of non-profit professionals from both countries, we hope to continue bolstering support for civil society in Japan.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our initiatives to support the Tohoku region as well as those who have engaged in activities with our partners and friends across the country.  The outpouring of support from Americans, and especially the Japanese American community, has not ceased and continues to serve as a source of great inspiration across the Pacific.

Tohoku Insights 2013 online

The Tohoku Insights 2013 public forum (http://www.tohokuinsights.com) was staged Saturday, March 9, 2013, in recognition of the two year anniversary of the disasters of 3/11.

This public forum featured 6 people who’ve been affected by the disasters and who are involved in the recovery efforts.

The event was live webcast, and can be viewed online at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jamsj

Strong quake hits off Japan near Fukushima

• Enlarge Gallery

  People crowd at Sendai railway station in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Friday, Dec. 7, 2012 after trains were halted following a strong earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan. It is the same region …

• TOKYO (Reuters) – A strong quake centered off northeastern Japan shook buildings as far away as Tokyo on Friday and triggered a one-meter tsunami in an area devastated by last year’s Fukushima disaster, but there were no reports of deaths or serious damage.

Sstory

Major quake strikes off Japan, setting off small tsunami

CNN
By Alex Zolbert and Jethro Mullen, CNN
December 7, 2012 — Updated 1237 GMT (2037 HKT)

Tokyo (CNN) – A powerful earthquake struck off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday evening, rattling buildings in Tokyo and setting off a small tsunami.

Article

Ishinomaki to Venice! Help us screen Then and Now at the Venice Film Festival.

Eight months after the disaster of March 11, 2011, we visited Ishinomaki and interviewed survivors rebuilding their lives. We condensed these interviews into a 15 minute film, Then and Now, and posted it online. As a direct result, over 20,000 US dollars in funds and supplies have been delivered to Tohoku. But we’re not done yet.

Then and Now is one of 50 semi-finalists in the Youtube, Your Film Festival competition, and you can help us get to the next round.

http://bit.ly/ishinomaki2venice

Please follow the link above and vote for our film: Then and Now.

The top 10 films will be screened at the Venice Film Festival and even more people around the world will have a chance to hear everyone’s stories. Please visit this site and place a vote!  http://bit.ly/ishinomaki2venice

Help us support our friends in Ishinomaki and all over Tohoku!

Help us get our film in the top 10. You can vote once a day so please vote every day!

Thank you so much!

Jeffrey

In Tokyo, Thousands Protest the Restarting of a Nuclear Power Plant

NYTimes
By MARTIN FACKLER
Published: June 29, 2012

TOKYO — Shouting antinuclear slogans and beating drums, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Japanese prime minister’s residence on Friday in the largest display yet of public anger at the government’s decision to restart a nuclear power plant. <article>

TOMODACHI Summer 2012 SoftBank Leadership Program

http://usjapantomodachi.org/tomodachi-e-softbank-01.html

SOFTBANK CORP. will provide Japanese high school students from the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami with an intensive three week program focusing on global leadership development and community service. This program will take place at the University of California, Berkeley.

This program will be administered by Ayusa International, a non-profit educational exchange organization established in San Francisco in 1980 that provides life-changing cultural exchange experiences for high school students around the world. Prior to departure, students and parents will participate in in-depth orientations, and students will engage in two days of intensive English language lessons delivered by native English speakers. Students will travel to the United States with Japanese chaperones, who will accompany and provide support throughout the program.

In collaboration with UC Berkeley, this program will provide a campus-based leadership program concentrated on developing powerful social advocates. Students will learn leadership skills, and develop volunteer community service projects to implement in their home communities when they return home. Along with acquiring the skills to lead, students will be exposed to inspiring role models and situations focused on motivating and equipping them to assume leadership roles upon returning home. The program will feature extensive contact with Americans through their academic program, a weekend homestay, social and sightseeing activities, along with exposure to American culture and values.

For additional information on this program, including application procedures, please click here (in Japanese).

Women’s “Die-In” against the Restart of Ooi Nuke Plant (Jun/07/2012)

Published on Jun 10, 2012 by tokyobrowntabby2
On June 7, 2012, about 70 women including 10 women from Fukushima did a “die-in” in front of the Prime Minister’s Official Residence to protest against the restart of Ooi Nuclear Power Plant. Before the die-in, 10 Fukushima women visited the Cabinet Office and met with officials to submit a letter of requests addressed to Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

This video clip shows the words from the Fukushima women and part of the die-in.

On the very next day, June 8, 2012, Prime Minister Noda held a press conference and declared he would restart Ooi Nuclear Power Plant.

The original video (http://youtu.be/ODNhDhw_-VY) created by OurPlanet-TV (http://www.ourplanet-tv.org/?q=node/287). OurPlanet-TV is an independent net-based media and welcomes donations.

Translation and captioning by tokyobrowntabby.
Video editing by sievert311 (http://www.youtube.com/user/sievert311).

Radioactive Tuna Found Off California Coast

Yahoo News
http://gma.yahoo.com/video/health-26594251/radioactive-tuna-found-off-california-coast-29494268.html

Some tuna are carrying radioactive contamination from Japan’s power-plant leak.