Kizuna: Nikkei Stories from the 2011 Japan Earthquake & Tsunami
In Japanese, kizuna means strong emotional bonds.
This series shares stories about Nikkei individual and/or community reaction and perspectives on the Great Tohoku Kanto earthquake on March 11, 2011 and the resulting tsunami and other impacts—either about supporting relief efforts or how what has happened has affected them and their feeling of connection to Japan.
If you would like to share your reactions, please see the “Submit an Article” page for general submission guidelines. We welcome submissions in English, Japanese, Spanish, and/or Portuguese, and are seeking diverse stories from around the world.
We hope that these stories bring some comfort to those affected in Japan and around the world, and that this will become like a time capsule of responses and perspectives from our global Nima-kai community for the future.
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There are many organizations and relief funds established around the world providing support for Japan. Follow us on Twitter @discovernikkei for info on Nikkei relief efforts, or check the Events section. If you’re posting a Japan relief fundraising event, please add the tag “JPquake2011” to make it appear on the list of earthquake relief events.
Stories from this series
Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 3
Dec. 11, 2012 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 2 >> THE NUMBER OF CLOTH LETTERS KEEP GROWING... In June 2011 Canadian Cloth Letters there were two large cloth letters (which were later divided into 3 cloth letters). By October 2011 at the Tokyo exhibition of Canada and Tohoku cloth letters there were 11. Today, as of Dec. 2012, we will have about 24 cloth letters ready for the Tohoku Tour (with more adding on as it goes). In Canada, Alberta Premier Christy Clark and Prime Minister …
Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 2
Dec. 4, 2012 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> Can you briefly describe the work you did to link the Alaskan fishermen with those in Tohoku?In 2011, I helped the BC fishing industry identify two fishing communities to support with their direct donations. After seeing how slow donation money can flow, and hearing so many rumours about large amounts going to organizations’ overheads and not to the victims, I am a firm believer and supporter of direct donations. If you can find someone to trust, then …
Canadian Linda Ohama’s Journey Since 3-11 - Part 1
Nov. 27, 2012 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
It is important for the world to know that the recovery effort for the people of Tohoku is still an ongoing, painful process that is still years away from ever returning to “normal”. Sadly, in a world where there are so many disasters competing for media attention, the survivors of Tohoku Region in northeastern Honshu, are becoming a somewhat “forgotten” people. Canadians like Maynard and Blaise Plant of the Sendai-based band, Monkey Majik , as well as Vancouver artist and …
Brother International Corporation’s Dream 1000 Project Produces School Bags for Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Victims
April 25, 2012 • Debora Toth
When a Japanese product planner working for Brother Industries Ltd (BIL)., the parent company of Brother International Corporation in Bridgewater, New Jersey, “dreamed” big, he could not have imagined the outpouring of international support he would receive. Last March, after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Shigeyuki (Joe) Abe, a product planner at Brother Industries, Ltd.,in Nagoya, Japan desperately wanted to help. His idea to create tote bags for the children who had lost everything in the devastation was …
“Human Ties” 3/11 volunteer group in Tohoku, Japan
April 16, 2012 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
“Human Ties” is a Sendai-based organization originally established as an NPO in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Pacific coastal region of Tohoku. It is now a registered charitable foundation. While it cooperates with other volunteer groups and local government bodies it has no religious or political affiliations. Its co-founders are Ms. Maya Sasaki and director Tatsuhiro Nobushi. Together they decided shortly after the ‘triple disasters’ (earthquake, tsunami, nuclear) that they wanted to …
Remembering or Remembrance?: A Year After 3/11, Yuriage, Japan
April 6, 2012 • Lorne Spry
Just over a year ago in the northeast region of Japan known as Tohoku, Japanese as well as ex-patriots from around the globe had their lives changed forever—or died. For some survivors the change was abrupt and catastrophic—lost friends, relatives, wives, husbands, children. Gone were their homes, businesses, work places, careers, farms, school life, oyster beds, vessels of all types and perhaps a peaceful retirement. In some places, an inordinate number of children were swept away along with their grandparents. …