I’m still tweeting translated updates from Japanese news sources whenever I am up. I’m doing this because news on English and other language sources is at least 2 hours behind that of news broadcast in Japan, and rather uninformed or sensationalistic more often than it should be. It also helps me cope.
As I said before, my family and friends are all ok, (including my mom, who I know has quite a lot of fans via this site) though my stepfather hasn’t been able to reach one of his brothers in Aomori as of yesterday update: all family member have been contacted and are safe.
I’d made plans prior to this to go to Japan in 2 weeks. If at all possible, I will go. If not on the planned date, as soon as I’m allowed to.
I’ve gotten emails and so on asking specific questions about missing individuals and other thing. I am only a private individual, and I’m pretty much overwhelmed at the moment. I have no power to help you officially. Please use official sources to get information/assistance. For online information, the Google Crisis Response page is a good place to start. I also periodically post pertinent links on the abovementioned Twitter stream.
Since many people have asked, I’m putting a list of places to donate. If you have specific questions about donating to a particular organization, please consult their website. I’ll update this list as needed. To send in listings for other places to donate, (new request) please post it as a comment to this article, so it will be at least accessible to everyone before I have time to update the page.
Money donations are the best way you can help from overseas. At the moment roads are very congested to hard hit areas because of partial closures, etc. Don’t try to send goods; they may not even get to victims. Money can always be used to purchase needed items.
Finally, for my fellow Americans (and yes, I am a U.S. citizen), just in case you’re hesitant for whatever reason about lending your support, please see this report, after Hurricane Katrina. Japanese prove truly “A Friend In Need”. I believe this is at least partly why the U.S. Military operation name for the disaster assistance is named Operation Tomadachi. Tomodachi means Friend in Japanese.
UPDATE I’m putting any time sensitive fundraising events up at top here.
Note the international Red Cross organizations (see below) have set up earmarked funds for Japan.
My fellow bento bloggers have set up a fundraising site, See Bento4Japan.
The Japan Society of New York has set up a Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. Details here.
The Japan Society of the UK has also set up a Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. Details here.
The JCCCNC has also set up an Earthquake Relief Fund. Details here.
eBay auction March 18-20 to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Organized by Japanese-American Japanese-American ceramic artist Ayumi Horie. She, Ai Kanazawa Cheung, and Kathryn Pombriant Manzella have mobilized to solicit, promote, and auction handmade pieces of art generously donated by talented artists throughout North America and Japan. Facebook page.
You can order a We Pray For Japan wristband via Lady Gaga’s official site. You can add money to the $5 price to donate if you wish.
Cranes For Japan is an initiative to gather 100,000 paper cranes. For every crane the Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 towards relief efforts.
Wow, this is a very creative way to raise funds. The Society of Typographers is calling for type designers everywhere to contribute a glyph to a special typeset that will be sold to raise funds to be sent directly to organizations in Japan. Info here.
Via the American Express donation page listed below, I found this list of Japan related organizations. Even if you don’t have an Amex card, you may find it useful to find a local organization.
Note that many international organizations are now earmarking funds specifically for Japan’s disaster.
Both my grandparents on my father’s side were Salvation Army officers. I have great faith in this organization.
MSF is another great organization. They’ve already started work in Japan.
The Japan Red Cross is taking donations by bank transfer (in Japan) or credit card (in Japan and from overseas) but their site is understandably swamped. Try this link.
Otherwise, all international Red Cross offices are accepting donations earmarked for Japan.
In the U.S., you can text REDCROSS to 90999 with your cellphone to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. Many U.S. websites have set up ways in which you can donate easily to the Red Cross, such as: Amazon.comApple iTunes (note: opens iTunes).Google In the UK, Japan Centre has set up a system where you can buy donation coupons in 1 pound increments. Link here Donations will go to the Red Cross via the Japanese Embassy.Hilton will match donations up to $250,000 to the International Red Cross/Red Crescent of members donating their Hilton HHonors points. Call 1-800-HHONORS (1-800-446-6677). Hilton is also matching all employee donations. American Express also offers ways to donate to card members, including donation of Membership Miles points. Amex link SXSW conference You can donate to support the International Medical Corps’ relief efforts in disaster areas everywhere by buying a Groupon coupon.You can donate via Paypal to one of four charities.If you’re in Japan as a visitor, the easiest way to donate is to put cash in the donation boxes at all konbini (convenience store) cash registers, including 7-11, Lawsons, FamilyMart and am/pm. If you’re in an unaffected area, also check if government offices or local businesses have donation boxes.
Otherwise most if not all Japanese donation methods require a Japanese bank account or cellphone. The page I linked above has many links to donation sites in Japan.
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