From the ground four months after the disaster in northeastern Japan

In Kesennuma, little has improved for evacuees since the earthquake/tsunami disaster of March 11, 2011. But the world has started to forget. A report from the ground on July 13, 2011:

This year, July temperatures in Tohoku have hit a record high of 35C. The heat and humidity in the elementary and secondary school gyms where many evacuees are still staying is debilitating.

4 units of temporary housing barracks (foreground)

The right to move away from evacuation centers into temporary housing is decided by lottery. But once people move into temporary housing, a new dark reality hits: these barracks are identical one-room boxes built one beside the other in isolated places with no communities around. They provide a roof, but not a new perspective of how to start a new life after having lost family, friends, homes and jobs in the disaster in March. People have the right to stay in temporary housing for 2 years. After that, they will have to find their own place to live.

*The elderly are at a loss of how to make a living once they move into the barracks. They often don't get any further help once they have moved in.

*Living as a couple or family in such tiny spaces leads to much stress.

*People moving into barracks don't know their neighbours as temporary housing is awarded by lottery. Walls between barracks are very thin, and residents can hear everything that is going on next door.

Funeral goods and incense are prominent in every super market

This is the reality four months after the disaster. Kesennuma is only one community among hundreds that have been affected. More than 500'000 people have been displaced by the disaster.

Not only the world, but also regions in Japan not directly affected by the disaster are starting to forget or to ignore what is happening in the northeast.

We must use our imagination and cooperate with the people in the disaster area so that they can build a new future.

July 13, 2011: Four months after the disaster, the roads are clean, and much debris have been piled up in garbage plots. But for the displaced people, the situation has not improved.

July 13, 2011, Yasuo Yoshikawa

(Translated and edited for the English version by B.Y.)

Adogawa Charity Concert: Thanks!

SWTJ would like to thank the amazing musicians who donated their talent and time, and the many SWTJ supporters who came from near and far, for making the Adogawa charity concert a big success!

During SWTJ's most recent trip to Tohoku, we were able to meet up again with disaster evacuee Mr.O., whom SWTJ had met during its first mission to the disaster area. He mentioned that he and his fellow evacuees will never forget the music SWTJ's Hiroto played at their shelter soon after the tsunami hit. That there was something about music that couldn't be replaced by anything else.

Victor Hugo once said 'Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.'

SWTJ is determined to bring music to Tohoku again!

The Kyoto Caravan with its trademark takoyaki dumplings, pongashi popped rice, and cotton candy that has made so many evacuees in the disaster area smile, was of course also with us at the concert. The pongashi machine has a new face and color!

Thank you all for your warm support!

Text and photos: Beatrix Yoshikawa

SOLIDARITY WITH TOHOKU, JAPAN Charity Concert in Adogawa

June 18 (Saturday) 3pm

TOHOKU Charity Concert in Adogawa, Shiga Prefecture

The Tohoku relief organization Solidarity with Tohoku, Japan (SWTJ)

http://mission-swtj.blogspot.com/

http://swtjp.org/

is organizing a fundraising event in Adogawa, Shiga Prefecture, to raise funds for its continuing relief activities in Tohoku, Japan. Come and enjoy a concert by some amazing bands and musicians who have graciously agreed to play for free for the charity event! Also enjoy meeting the members of SWTJ, hear about our activities in the areas affected by the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami, and try some of the food and snacks SWTJ’s “Kyoto Caravan”is providing during its trips in the disaster area. All profits from the event will be used for our future activities in Tohoku. We are looking forward to seeing you in Adogawa on Saturday!

Time: June 18 (Saturday) from 3pm

Place: Atelier Yasuo Yoshikawa, Adogawa

Concert fee: 2,500Yen (please bring the exact amount if possible). A light evening meal of couscous is included in the price, and will be served as long as available. Entrance is free for children of elementary school age or younger.

Snacks: Beer, soft drinks, takoyaki dumplings, pongashi popped rice and cotton candy will be sold separately at the venue. Try one of the specialties SWTJ serves in Tohoku!

Access by train: take the JR Kosei line from JR Kyoto station. Get off in Adogawa. From Adogawa station, take a taxi for about 10 minutes (about 1,300Yen). 

Program:

From 3pm: Tickets sold at venue

3:30pm Goma and Friends (blues band Sato Harumitsu and friends)

4:50pm Roger Walch (Jazz Pianist)

6pm SWTJ Presentation

7pm Ota Hiroto (Guitarist and Songwriter)

8:30 ATHA All Stars (Gipsy brass band and Belly Dance):

Seto Nobuyuki (clarinet), Tajima Ryu (electric guitar), Watannbee (drums), Nagata Mitsuru (darbuka) Minori (belly dance),

10pm Closing

10:30 or 11:05pm: last trains leaving from Adogawa to Kyoto. Count at least 40 minutes from when you call a taxi until you arrive at the station.

How to go home after the event: trains leaving from JR Adogawa to JR Kyoto

(Count at least 40 minutes from when you call a taxi until you arrive at the station)

Departures from JR Adogawa：19:22　 20:07　20:34　 21:16　21:48　 22:30　 23:05
or check here for the JR schedule:
http://www.ekikara.jp/newdata/ekijikoku/2701161/up1_25524011_sat.htm

-Parking: You can park your car close to the venue. Watch out for the parking signs we put up.

-Overnight stays cannot be provided

-When you arrive at Adogawa station, you can try to look out for other people who come to the concert and share taxis.

-If you drive: PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DRINKING ANY ALCOHOL

 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SWTJ

We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

2011/05/28~2011/06/04

SWTJ at Kansai French-Japanese Institute

On June 5, SWTJ was invited to feature a stall at the Sunday 'Marche' at the Kansai French-Japanese Institute in Kyoto.

Event organizer Ihara of ena Ltd. kindly allowed us to use one of their tents for free. Thank you!
The 'Marche' usually takes place here once a month. Crafts, homemade cookies, organic vegetables and similar treats are sold. The aligned tents in the lovely garden stand in nice contrast to the white building of the French-Japanese Institute and create a relaxing atmosphere.  

At the SWTJ stall, we explained what our organization does, and sold SWTJ fundraising goods such as stickers and towels.  The crowd at the 'Marche' was quite international. We reported the latest news from the SWTJ team that had been on the ground right up to the day of the event for its third mission in Tohoku.

Both visitors to the 'Marche' and sellers at the stands showed a keen interest in SWTJ's activities. Some offered to write about the organization in their blogs. The number of people interested in showing solidarity with Tohoku is growing.

Yesterday, I called my parents in Fukushima Prefecture. Although they live at some distance from the damaged nuclear reactor, they say people in their area are highly stressed by the unreliable news coverage on the nuclear accident, and by the still continuing aftershocks. What is worst, however, is the fact that people outside the disaster area have already started to lose interest and are beginning to ignore the fate of the people in the affected areas. But the scale of the damage caused by the 3/11 triple disaster is incredibly huge. It will take not years, but decades for the damaged areas to recover. At SWTJ, we not only support the victims directly, but we act as messengers between the people in Tohoku and outside, and are determined to continue to hold events in Kansai and beyond to raise awareness of the dire need for long-term solidarity with the survivors.

Text and photos:  Sakuma Shigemitsu
(translated and edited for the English version by B.Y.)

June 3, Kesennuma

Tonight, SWTJ successfully finished its third mission in Tohoku..
Now, we just have to make sure we drive safely back to Kyoto.
During the whole mission, the weather was quite awful. This last night, however, the sky is clear and full of stars. The bright stars seem to reflect the warm smiles of the people of Kesennuma.
We thank the people in Kesennuma for the amazing and warm support they gave us during our activities here. Heartfelt thanks also to the many SWTJ members who stayed back in Kyoto and supported us from afar. And special thanks to all the people who keep supporting SWTJ from Japan and abroad!

For the SWTJ team: Shuto Naoya@SWTJ
(translated by B.Y.)

June 3: Providing meals in small Kesennuma shelter

Today, we provided meals in a small community hall in Kesennuma that serves as a shelter. This shelter had been crowded in March, but three months after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, only ten people remain. The residents told us they were glad to have some time to go back to their wrecked houses and clean out tsunami mud while we cooked for them. Since the earthquake, they have been providing meals for many, and they haven't had much time to themselves.

After 5 days in the disaster area, SWTJ teamwork proceeds smoothly...

                                There is plenty for all...

A lady is happy to receive an apron of one of our sponsors, the rice wine maker Kamotsuru

We had a heart-warming exchange with the people in the community hall, and it was nice to have time to talk. Before leaving, the residents presented us with a handmade box. Thank you!

Text and photos: Kanazawa Daisuke 

(translated by B.Y.)