Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is working to help the economic recovery of the town of Ofunato. The town’s fish market recently managed to reopen. Working through the local government, PWJ provided office equipment (computers, Internet-related equipment, copiers, etc.) and other items to get the fish … Read more
On July 15, a ceremony was held to hand over the final donations from Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) for the reopening of the Ofunato fish market. PWJ has been working in partnership with an American aid organization, Mercy Corps, on this initiative to provide equipment … Read more
JEN‘s efforts to assist in the Tohoku region have drawn more than 2,700 volunteers to date. In the month of September, JEN volunteers will clean up community spaces and factories, help people restart their businesses, and support fishery reconstruction. In Ishinomaki, JEN reports that construction … Read more
The volunteer work continues in Tohoku. NICCO has been soliciting student volunteers for more clean-up work in October. Their focus will be cleaning and clearing debris from homes and farms on the island of Oshima, which is part of Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture. The island … Read more
JEN has been working in Kitakamimachi (Miyagi Prefecture) to help restore the local economy and get businesses back on their feet. This was a region that did not receive aid until long after the disaster. JEN arrived there in July. One businessman had lost his … Read more
The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) Japan posted a report on its activities over the seven months since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. They listed 13 areas in which they have offered support: (1) provided items for daily living to about 35,000 temporary … Read more
Although 10 months have passed since the earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region, a great deal of clean-up work still remains. In December, JEN volunteers joined with volunteers from Mitsui Bussan and entered the Yagawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki for the first time to start … Read more
A group of Harvard Business School students visited the JEN Ishinomaki office as a part of their Business Research Program. After a presentation on JEN’s activities, JEN held an open hearing with the beneficiaries of the emergency clothing assistance project, which was carried out jointly … Read more
Many residents in the Tohoku region were engaged in small-scale farming prior to the disaster of 3/11. Rice farming in particular has not just been a source of income, but an integral part of the region’s culture and history. The tsunami had a devastating impact … Read more