Before the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Tohoku region of Japan was a major center for Japan’s fishing industry. The infrastructure in these ports was devastated by the disaster. Boats were washed away, wharfs destroyed, and in many port areas, the ground sank significantly … Read more
It has now been three months since the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region, so a number of NGOs have published summaries of their activities to date. We have summarized the reports from two of our fund recipients here. The Association for Aid … Read more
The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) Japan recently delivered clothing and other supplies to Madoka, a social welfare facility in Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture) that provides employment assistance to people with disabilities. AAR volunteers were accompanied by helpers from an American aid group who brought … Read more
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
Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) has been supporting the recovery of the fishing industry in Miyagi Prefecture. It has established a field office at Heisei no Mori in Minamisanriku, developing a relationship with the fishermen and conducting an assessment for the fishing industry there. First, PWJ … Read more
In Ishinomaki (Miyagi Prefecture), there are still many train and bus routes not running, with no target date in sight for them to be restored. During the first term of the school year (which starts in April in Japan), there were a number of students … Read more
In Kitsunezakihama, on the eastern side of the tsunami-ravaged Oshika Peninsula, NPO JEN brought 30 volunteers from one company to assist in the preparations for oyster cultivation—a staple industry of the region. Shells are strung together to provide a bed to which new oysters will … Read more
After a cold and unusually snowy January, the wakame seaweed harvesting season has finally started in the town of Minamisanriku. This area is known for its high quality wakame. In particular, in a fishery community called Utatsu, most residents have been involved in wakame-related work … Read more
NPO JEN continues its efforts to assist the revival of the fishing industry in and around Ishinomaki. Their latest work focuses on the need to support those fishermen who now have to travel long distances from temporary housing to get to the sea. JEN is … Read more