Earthquake Relief Information

Vancouver Japanese Canadian Community Unites to Help Victims of Earthquake & Tsunami

http://japanlove.ca

Over 50 members of the Japanese Canadian arts, business, culture, community and student groups, representing more than 20 different organizations, met together at the office of the Japanese Community Volunteers Association (Tonari Gumi) on Saturday afternoon (March 12) in order to combine their talents and energies to help the survivors of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck the northern region of Japan on March 11th.  The large group of interested individuals and organizations who gathered together at short notice agreed to support the creation of the “B.C. – Japan Earthquake Relief Fund” which will work out of the Tonari Gumi office at 511 East Broadway.

The move to organize was first spurred by the spontaneous actions of Japanese students studying in Vancouver who wanted to do something tangible to help those suffering in the aftermath of this massive natural disaster. Linda Ohama, a noted Japanese Canadian film maker, spoke for many in the meeting when she said, “I cannot stand looking at all the images and hearing from so many friends about the earthquake victims and families. We need to do something”.

It was agreed to set up two committees: one to help coordinate fundraising activities and to encourage more people to contribute; and another to organize a major fundraising concert, drawing on the talents of artists, musicians and performers within the community. Once an appropriate venue is secured, the committee will begin advertising this event, likely starting sometime this week.

The group agreed to continue encouraging individuals who wish to contribute to do so via the Canadian Red Cross through their toll free phone at 1-800-418-1111 or on-line at www.redcross.ca and to designate their donations to “Japan Earthquake Relief”.

Those wishing to contribute their time and talents to mobilizing more support in the Lower Mainland and/or becoming involved in the fundraising concert can call Tonari Gumi at 604.687.2172 or check our website at www.jcva.bc.ca.

The following is a partial list of those organizations united to help:  BCJSN (Japan Love); BOSS; the Canada-Japan Society of B.C.; Chibi Taiko Vancouver Taiko Society; Japanese Canadian Citizens Association; Japanese Community Volunteers Association (Tonari Gumi); Japanese Women Business Association; Kiyukai; Loud (music group); Miyagi-ken Tomo no Kai; Mokuyokai; National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre; Powell Street Festival Society; Sakura Days Japan Fair; SamaSantie.com; UBC English Language Institute; Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall; Yayoi Theatre Movement Society.

Contact:  David Iwaasa
Executive Director Japanese Community Volunteers Association
Telephone:  604.687.2172    Email:  admin@jcva.bc.ca


Phone lines have been set up at Tonari Gumi to answer general public enquiries:
604-566-9597  ¦  604-566-9719  ¦  604-566-9407

Japan Love, a grassroots fundraising group, is having Bokinbako campaign in downtown Vancouver
Date/time: Wednesday and Friday, 5pm to 9pm, from March 16 until April 10, and weekends when possible
Locations: intersections of Burrard & Robson, Thurlow & Robson, Burrard & Davie and the north side of VAG

• For all enquiries re: Japan Love, please contact Asuka Endo at earthquakecharity@live.jp

• All funds collected from donation boxes and charity concert will go towards the Red Cross via BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund

• For businesses interested in making in-kind donation, please contact Kazumi Nozawa at nozawakjp@yahoo.co.jp


National Association of Japanese Canadians

The National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) has set up an Earthquake Response page on their website to collate efforts of local NAJC chapters across Canada to help with relief efforts. Visit www.najc.ca.

 


S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Collects Donations for Japan Quake Relief

Vancouver, B.C. – Thomas Tam, CEO of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. announced today that the organization will assist the Canadian Red Cross in collecting donations for Japan earthquake relief through the following five service locations from March 16 to March 30, 2011.

1) S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Service Centre
28 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC (Tel. : 604-684-1628)

2) S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Fraser Service Centre
5834 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC (Tel. : 604- 324-1900)

3) S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Richmond Service Centre
220 – 7000 Minoru Blvd., Richmond, BC (Tel. : 604 -279-7180)

4) S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Tri-City Service Centre
#2058 – 1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC (Tel. : 604- 468-6000)

5) S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Surrey Service Centre
#206-10090 152nd Street, Surrey, BC  (Tel. : 604-588-6869)

On March 11, 2011, northeastern Japan was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history – magnitude 9.0 on the Richter scale and the tsunami it triggered. More than 10,000 people were confirmed dead or missing as of March 15, according Kyodo News.

“There are still many people without shelter, food, water and heat, and in isolated areas entirely cut off from the outside world. Every penny counts. We want to help as much as we can” said Tam.

S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and the Canadian Red Cross entered a MOU in July 2010 to strengthen community support and fundraising efforts of the Red Cross in response to international disasters. The two organizations have worked together to raise funds for victims of Pakistan and China floods in 2010.

Individuals wishing to help support relief efforts in Japan are encouraged to contribute by visiting S.U.C.C.E.S.S. offices or donating to the Canadian Red Cross directly at their local Red Cross office, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow. Canadians can also make a donation via SMS by texting ASIA to 30333; text message donations are available in $5 increments.

Founded in 1973, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. is one of the largest social service providers in Canada with 25 offices in British Columbia and 4 overseas offices. For more details, please visit: www.success.bc.ca or follow us on twitter: SUCCESSCanada


Consulate General of Japan

Vancouver, British Columbia – March 17, 2011

With respect to the situation at the Japanese nuclear plants caused by the offshore earthquake in the Tohoku region, the government of Japan and the companies concerned have been united in making their best efforts to minimize the damage and effects since this trouble began.

The Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver is concerned that news reports from some media have over-emphasised the risk of exposure to excessive radiation and that those reports may not be completely objective.

As of now, the Government of Japan has issued instructions to the residents to evacuate the area in a 20 kilometre radius around the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear plant and for residents to stay indoors within a 20-30 kilometre radius.  In the 10 kilometre radius around the Fukushima No. 2 nuclear plant residents have been instructed to evacuate.  These instructions were issued based on the judgement of knowledgeable experts in order to ensure adequate safety of the people.

Except for the above mentioned areas, in all other regions including Tokyo and the surrounding area, the measured numerical value of radiation is very small and will not harm the health of human beings.  In Tokyo, from midnight March 16 to 09:00 a.m. on March 17th, the fluctuation in the numerical value of microsievert per hour was between 0.052 and 0.053 and is well within the normal range of 0.028 – 0.079.

 

The Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary have given briefings regularly on the exact and latest situation related to the nuclear  plants. For  quick  reference  the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has a regularly updated dedicated site: http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/incidents/index.html