Aid for Japan Earthquake

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

This thread for Tao Sangha and G.U.C.'s English information about Aid for Japan.

There are more information on "Japan Earthquake" thread before April 22.

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Washing machine

2011.04.15 | Category in earthquake affected areas help East | Written by atsuko

Yesterday's Kokuta from disaster headquarters Karakuwachō Kesennuma, he reported us.

We have 10 washing machines purchased with money received from aid from over sea.

They set up those to each shelters.

Goods were arrived safely which sent from here too.

Thank you everyone for your support.

http://www.npouni.net/blog/20110415-121502 

[Alex Pereklita]

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/ --- On Fri, 4/22/11, Tsuyoshi Mogi <tao...@mac.com> wrote:

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

There is a town name Hutaba-chou, Hukushima. About 1,500 were lived in that town and they move about 200km south near Tokyo to escape from radiation.

Shelter is locate on Kazo-city, Saitama. In this shelter all of town people moved even town office.

They are under so much stress, uncertain future, far from own house, etc.

GUC Japan had request from local government and decided to have space "Tao Shiatsu Voluntier Treatment" in the shelter.

Now Tao Shiatsu teacher call up to students and make shift to all ways someone can stay and give treatment at the place.

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Hutaba-chou

Population: 6,900, this small town is the location of HUKUSHIMA DAIICHI nuclear power reactor.

March 19th about 20% of population 1,500 people has transfered to Saitama Arena(multi-purpose event space, 37,000 people capacity for max event).

At end of March, 1,500 people transfered to old high school(not using any more).

At this school, Tao Shiatsu students will give treatment to people.

As G.U.C. support practitioner for transfer fee(train, bus fee).

At Tokyo Centre, Tao Shiatsu class gives practical training to go to shelter.

teacher's room used be became town office room

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Yuki Nakamura

Canadian-Japanese OMNI TV producer, Interviewer for Ryokyu-sensei on Kishindo and Tao Shiatsu.

Everyday I had watched video of Japan earthquake and interview Canadian for a month, I decided to make a documentary film.

Interviewed 3 young Canadian, they've been teach English in Miyagi prefecture, once come back to Canada because of parents asked for, but they are going to Japan "I can do something there."

Kaoru Ishikawa, ambassador of Japan, He had press conference in the Ontario Legislature, "Remember those children... Please leave a record that..." with tear in his eyes.

Feelings of sorrow in parents died. Heartbreaking to think that the children waiting for parents pass away. 

Their thoughtful and brave, my heart was inspired.

To making documentary, easiest way is use fund from OMINI TV, I had use last time for Hiroshima. but I don't use that this time because of if I use fund, film get copy protect by OMINI TV, which means not freely spread to people want to watch for many years. so, I decided not use OMUNI TV fund.

So, I'd like to ask you a little donation, even small donation if 1,000 people together, can make big help.

In May, I'm going to the effected area, which people are living in great difficulties.

Nakamura Yuki E-mail: yukina...@rogers.com
Phone :647 -272 -2927 

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

True Value as A Human Being

A Report by Ryokyu Endo

An over seas member sent a YouTube video called “Pray for Japan”. It was made by a foreigner who was impressed by how the Japanese earth quake survivors act in a situation like that.

I also was impressed as well, and even more impressed because, those people in Tohoku area are helping others also holding own egos. I think in a situation like that, we show our true selves that might be hidden in a normal situation.

Some financial expert in the United States announced that Japan will become a poor country. It maybe true, but, I think if Japanese people help others with manners and respect as a human being, and indicate a richness of humanity, this is not poor at all; also it’s much better than “overflowing with material but poor in humanity”
Japan has to be changed through this situation. They need so much help materially and emotionally. They can’t live with only self-care, the ego has to be held.
I think Japan can’t recover emotionally without the people there caring for each other on the individual level, and really think that nuclear energy should be given up as a source of electric power, because the nuclear image gives us a fear of what happens if accidents occur, so not only environmental damage, they also give us emotional damage. If Japan takes this disaster as a turning point, and gives up the nuclear plants and at the same time replaces them with clean energy sources, based on a “giving and caring spirit”, it will become a great environment-care-taking-nation, which means the richest country on Earth!

Anyway, the best way to find everything out is by being there.

According to Mr. Hasegawa who has been there, there is no power in the disaster areas yet and no power source such as oil, while the snow and cold weather persist.

And, according to someone else, many of the people can’t even change their clothes, and are desperate to have a pocket body warmer, that’s why I brought a trunk full of body warmers. I didn’t bring my (clothing )changes at all when I heard how they are out there.

At late afternoon, I arrived in Sendai city. I met Hase san ( Mr. Hasegawa)  just came back from a shelter there and was on the way to Tokyo. He told me they may need some futons and washing machines more than small goods, because they all evacuated with empty hands which means they don’t have enough bedding and having very hard time to get to sleep every night, and missing  about 50 of them. How could I get 50 pieces of futon in this city ? How can it be delivered ? I had to think about it.

And, Hase San spent some time with people and finally they told him, that they have some generators, so, if we have some washing machines, it would be great relief because hand washing with cold water is not easy, but it maybe too luxurious. They are very humble to ask to have what they need.

There is a man who lost his house and shop---a consumer electronics shop--- in that shelter, and his estimation with maximum discount price for washing machine is about $3000 Euro which is almost same amount as European Tao Sangha  members donation. People in the shelters total is about 700, so if we buy 10 machines it would be good, and we still have some left over money, which is able to buy some other stuff. So, I discussed with Hase San, and decided to buy 10 washing machines.

Posted by Tao Sangha: Japan Relief Updates 

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/05/true-value-as-human-being.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

This is UNI organized Charity Events in Kyoto flyer (front 1 of 2)

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

This is UNI organized Charity Events in Kyoto flyer (back 2 of 2)

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Here is UNI Charity Festival on Web.

http://www.taosangha-na.com/guc/uni-charity-festival

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Report By Ryokyu Endo (excerpts from Japanese posts in April and May)

Arriving to the affected area
We spent the whole morning to find what people in the affected area need , arranging a car rental , etc and finally could depart just after 12:00 pm.
I am a world ranking bad direction man. I really worried about whether I can arrive where we are supposed to arrive while driving, but the highway brought us to our destination after about 2 hours drive.
Here we were standing at a destroyed Kesen-numa city, that reminding me a movie scene from “the planet of the apes” which is years after the world nuclear war. I almost felt dizziness by the nothingness. It is a place where  there was a city. I couldn’t feel it as a reality. Also I couldn’t feel to take pictures because I felt like taking picture feels like printing one’s misfortunate, but the other hand, it is a mission for those who step into the area, I resolved to myself  to take some.

 Finally we arrived to the affected area supporting headquarters after 5:00pm. I thought an idea that  we come here was a right choice because the supplies that GUC  H.Q sent haven’t arrived yet. Anyway, we handed the supplies that  we brought to Mr. Ogawa, and Mr. Kokuta who is the leader of headquarters, and also informed them that we purchased 10 washing machines. 
I thought we could give some treatment from now on, but we were informed that there are no volunteer activities permitted  after 5:00 pm here. Karakuwa town where we are has no power yet, so we start tomorrow.
Night of April 4^th is falling with occasional after shocks all through the night.
I was going to treat some people right away in the morning, but as I decided I took some time to take pictures. 
Tsunami attacked just 20 meters away from where I stayed according to Akira San who is a level I Tao Shiatsu student in Tokyo. He also kindly let me stayed in his place. The area nearby was completely disappeared. It washed away. Here Karakuwa town residents lost 60 people by the tsunami and 700 people who lost everything but themselves are in the shelter. The ones I treat are those who experienced a miracle to find themselves as an alive being.
I asked Mr. Tomari to coordinate  people who want to have a treatment. He is a very good coordinator, people came one after another, and those were having heavy symptoms such as back pain for 30 years, dislocated joint, and torn ligament etc.
It seemed like I haven’t forgotten how to give treatment, everyone cured and feeling happy about result, but everyone is carrying a great amount of damage in deeper part of their heart. I had to take longer time than usual and double amount of care. I took Sho-diagnosis for each person, and determined to cure everyone completely by one treatment. My concentration level was always hitting in red zone over boost and my heart was screaming in recognition because of it.
I think I treated about 13 people, maybe 12 that day.
When I went back Akira’s house at night, there were some beers and Sake on the table. I was wondering what kind of miracle it is, and Akira told me the person who had torn ligaments brought them as his appreciation that he can walk as before injury. Apparently he was a visitor , one of a few who didn’t loose their house like Akira. He brought some stuff that is rare to get here right now, so grateful for his care. 

After Shock Mag. 7.4
Next day, April 7^th, Treatments continued from the morning. The coordinator is sending whoever without doubting the effectiveness of treatment. Those are the people who have deep obvious wound. I cannot neglect my full concentration even a split second. I continued to treat one by one with my whole existence, carefully and wishing to not regret for what I didn’t do. The meaning of non regret is if we give anything, we don’t regret for those but if don’t give, it remains as a life time regret.
At twilight time, I gave 338000 yen to electro store owner ( he lost everything now) for washing machine. At night, power was back. It’s been no power for 3 weeks. I could give more treatment total also 12-13 people today.  
When I was in the middle of a temporally relief out of the darkness, it was around 11:30 pm, I felt unforgettable rumble that was followed by a big quake. Then, power that just came back is gone again, “hello darkness, my old friend” . 
Akira said that the other building is considerably safer, so we moved there in the great amount of shaking. Akira turned a  flashlight on, and the radio as well. They said it was magnitude . 7.4. Akira whispered “ Tsunami might hit again….”I thought if it hits here maybe not safe because piers at the ocean were destroyed already. I prepared for that moment and decided to just sleep  but the following after shocks were also quite strong to wake me up many times till the morning. 
Next day, the highway can’t be entered, and traffic lights weren’t working.  It took me 7 hours to get back to Sendai. Even this day and next day I continued to feel shaking feeling that feels like body is shaking all the time. 

Blog is a good source of information
“ I saw your blog, and  I want to bring washing machines to Kesen-numa and other stuff as well” I received a message like this from someone unknown. I really felt grateful and glad. To feel someone’s giving heart always makes us happy. I immediately called several shelters but can’t connect, and finally able to connect one of them  through an information from an old friend of mine, Clive ,who is a member of GUC and a foster parent of Rakhein child, and now he is delivering stuff to the affected area almost every week. .
A representative out there is very happy about washing machine, and I asked for anything else or more that they need. Answer was, some can food, instant cooked food and some vegetables. I asked for a man who saw my blog to bring them as well.

Grateful for support from many places.
I heard from Japanese who live in Canada about the image of Japan and that people now feel it is polluted with radiation everywhere. I thought the same thing , because we are thinking about everywhere is polluted with radiation in Fukushima Japan. "The view from outside country for Japan ---> The view from outside Fukushima in Japan for Fukushima" pretty similar graph.
By the way,  good news with washing machines arriving to shelter, and also a message from Mr. Akira "the atmosphere of shelter got really brighter than before" That's really good message! Otherwise, Canada Tao Sangha gathered with 2000 dollar (it's about 175000 yen), and that money has arrived so I'll go to a bank. This money can be used for purchase of relief supplies. also US Tao Sangha informed us that we will send some solar cooker for Japan, this supply really helped in 2010 Haiti earthquake. I'm starting to check where I can send them for right now. I  really appreciate that we can do larger scale of support because of   "everyone's support to Fukushima support”

The serious case of lack of vegetables.
There is a pretty serious that there is a lack of vegetables in the shelters. I heard people in the shelters have only carbohydrate meals. I had experienced that (only a carbohydrate diet for about a month, when I was  17 or 18 as a runaway boy) so I totally understand how hard  that is. The body becomes lazy and mind becomes inactive. Unhealthy meals make damage for a human heart. After a month I was so impressed with a meal that has meat and vegetables!
This information came from yesterday and Mr. Hasegawa and I looked for possibility about delivery from local city.
But it's hard to find, because vegetable stores are unwilling to deliver to Kesennuma City and may take many extra days to send.  Mayu said "Let's send from Kyoto by mail, that's easier." I see, I think so too. At once Mr Masato and Mr Mahiro and I went to vegetable wholesaler then delivery store, and we sent it. I really hope that it arrives fresh.
The details are : Potatoes 30 kg, Onion 20 kg, Radish 30 kg, Carrot 10 kg, total about 6 big boxes. I wish somebody also send vegetable it's like us. We are also keep looking for delivery volunteer in Miyagi state.

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/05/report-by-ryokyu-endo-excerpts-from.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Snedai Report 2 by Shin Hasegawa May 12, 2011

The first delivery of vegetables departed to Karakuwa, Kesenn-numa from Tsuki ji trading market in Tokyo 

The food supply situation in Karakuwa shelter is still far away from a reasonable situation. They have only a piece of bread or a rice ball for lunch, and sometimes no lunch. This is a story I got from this lady who is in the shelter. She sent me the latest weekly menu for breakfast, lunch and supper. It’s been about 2 months from the incidence, but still they don’t have enough food, not only no vegetables, but also some meat and fish.

When I thought I better send some vegetables for the meantime was few weeks ago. But, As long as I was sending, I better continue as long as necessary.

However, sending the right amount , enough for everybody in the shelter of few hundred of people is not easy, but I don’t want to say impossible. I really wanted to suggest in my loudest voice  to all of those rich people in the world, please send necessary amount of vegetables to the victims !!

We at GUC sent some of vegetables a couple of times, but it just stopped, because we felt like getting a mass amount from retailer is not the best choice, there must be another choice. Then we’ve kept researching the other way until a few weeks passed.

Well, still a lack of food in Karakuwa is a serious issue though, I thought maybe no other way. But something hit my brain to remind myself that  a friend of mine is working at a fish market located in Tsukiji global trading market in Tokyo. I contacted him and asked about vegetables, so, his answer was “ hold on for a while”. OK, let’s see what happens.

In few days, I got a mail from him saying, everything will be fine, he talked to a vegetable whole seller, and this man offered no profit deal if sending to Kesen-numa.

What a beautiful expression!  I felt so, so, grateful. Never give up, that’s it. I went to see this man Mr. Kozakai. He was born in Niigata prefecture. He also sent some vegetables when earthquake hit Niigata few years ago. He is a kind man who cannot ignore anyone who is in trouble.

May 12^th, 11:15am.

Courier transport service men started to load a few kinds of vegetables. We bought those vegetables by GUC donation, and contributions organized by Tokyo and Kyoto members. Those are not only vegetables but those are the one that people put their ultimate wish into it. It must bring strong positive energies to people in the shelter.

18 Squishes  /30kg,

80 burdocks/16kg

Potatoes/50kg

Onions/80kg

Green onions/16kg

Eggplants/25kg

Calottes/80kg

40Cabages/ 50kg

80 Daikon/100kg 

 Mr. Kozakai and I were watching those vegetables were loaded from not too far place. I felt also there are great volumes of “Ki” with us from all of people who donated and contributed with strong wish.

Reported by Shin Hasegawa

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/06/report-by-shin-hasegawa-may-12-2011.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Sending some Vegetables to a shelter in Kesen-numa (Report #3)

Every Saturday, we hold fund raising at Nakano train station (in Tokyo).  Last Saturday we collected 16188yen ( about $200CAN). Lately, some people donate repeatedly. We are so grateful for everyone who participated.  

We get supplies from Tsukiji central market in Tokyo. This supplier doesn’t charge us extra to make a profit,  and is even considerate enough to pack everything neatly to make our transportation costs down. Much appreciated !!

We send raw vegetables instead of root vegetables, since the shelters where we send the food still have no cooking facilities.

When I visited some shelters in the beginning of June, there were 380 people in Kesen-numa shelters. I was there during lunchtime, so, I asked a few people about the food situation, even though I thought it maybe a little rude to do so.  One lady answered that she had a simple rice ball, a half portion of tofu (about 200g) and some miso soup with a piece of daikon and carrot for lunch.  Her breakfast was a readymade sweet bread, a pack of milk and vegetable juice.  She had yet to finish some of her breakfast, as I could see some remains at her bed side. She told me meat and potatoes are served for supper, but she did not look happy about it. “I just came like this…just could survive, and I can’t complain if I think about all those victims <who died>. So yes, the food situation is poor, but it is the same for everyone,” said she.

 Mr. Uji-ie said, “I used to weigh 67 kg when I came here, now I’m 59 kg.  Our diet right now is not well balanced, not enough vegetables, and my joints hurt.”

Mr. Satou told me he’d hardly had any vegetables till May, only some boiled daikon and carrots from a can give out by the army. Ms. Ono, who is a welfare commissioner told me for her, it was a rice ball and some sweet confectionary, and a man beside her said, “ yes, yes, it was also a rice ball and a yo-kan “(a sweet red bean).

A boxed lunch was served for lunch and supper when June came. “there were some fried vegetables and deep fried stuff。We felt so happy. But raw vegetables were a mouth full of fine chopped cabbage… wanna have some lettuce…” said Mr. Satou. And Ms. Ono said “I’ve never seen a whole tomato since I‘ve been here.”

 I went back to Tokyo and called Ms. Ono, asking, “Will everyone be happier if I send some raw vegetables?” She quickly replied, “we can have some salad, that would be great!”

We sent : 40kg of Tomatoes, 20kg of cucumbers,  20kg of lettuce, 25kg of onions, and 5kg of celery.

Ms. Ono called on the 21^st, saying, “It’s arrived!”

On the 22^nd, I talked with Ms. Ono and she said, “Everybody was so happy to have some salad! We divided the vegetables into 300 meals! Thank you very much!”

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/07/sending-some-vegetables-to-shelter-in.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Charity Shiatsu fundarising for Japan in Chicago

The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine(PCOM) in Chicago hosted a Charity Shiatsu event to raise awareness and $100 in funds for Japan. Two Tao Shiatsu practitioners from Toronto and Madison came together to create this impromptu event. For the PCOM students participating it was unique to experience the personal relief through Tao Shiatsu treatment and at the same time with donation support and enrich the lives of people in need on the other side of the planet.

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/07/total-funds-raised-for-japan-so-far.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Shiatsu and Dinner for Japan in Madison

On Saturday evening July 16th, 20 adults and 4 children came together at the Tao Sangha Madison Center to support Japan. Short shiatsu treatments were given by Alex Pereklita who was visiting from the Toronto Center and myself to most attending the event. At 7:oopm an authentic Indian dinner was served, that was made by a neighbor woman from India.

Because of the heat of the day most of us ate outside. After dinner we enjoyed hula hooping, games, telling stories, and kids caught fireflies. Inside, slideshows and videos of Japan were continuously shown and some made cards to send to those in shelters in Japan. Over $300 was raised and will be wired to Japan to continue to support people in shelters in the Tohoku area.

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/07/shiatsu-and-dinner-for-japan-in-madison.html

[Tsuyoshi Mogi]

Total funds raised for Japan

As of July 25th, a total of $6620 has been donated to the people of Japan through Tao Sangha fundraising in Montreal, Toronto, Madison, Chicago and Portland. Thank you everyone for your generosity and efforts and for remembering those suffering and in great need.

http://taosanghajapanreliefupdates.blogspot.com/2011/07/total-funds-raised-for-japan.html

[Lawrence Lefcort]

Wow! Incredible!

Nam Amida Butsu

[Anne Desaulniers]

Wow! Thank you for update.....And lets continue!

 

Namu Amida

Anne