Job Discussion Forums

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The "scumbags" were the Japanese-speaking gaijin obeying an emergency order issued by Japanese authorities while their team leader (not sure if the person is Japanese or non) either disregarded it or was too panicked to act.

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:19 pm Post subject:

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

rx22, first, you refer to the non-Japanese as scumbags for choosing to follow an emergency order, and then your criticize the organizers, expletives and all.

Which will it be, then?

For the sake of the OP, I posted that message to simply to alert them that they must choose who they volunteer with very carefully. It's an ongoing disaster where and tsunamis, quakes and debris fields make for more danger. Make sure you have trusted leadership and cool-headed people with you.

Anyway, back to work here.

refikagurz · Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Earth

Thank you TokyoLiz.. I understood what was behind your words. I'm not surprised that the thread was somewhat derailed in response to your post.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

OP, I have a lot of questions for you, but my first ones are: where do you live? When is your vacation, how long is it, and did you want to make only a day trip, or are you willing to sleep rough (as in camping) should the opportunity for a multi-day trip arise?

Asking to try and help you out, NOT to be douche-y. Wink

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

If you are willing and have the time and equipment, there are trips going.

Like Tara2117 says, volunteers rough it.

But I think that's an understatement. The teams I've talked to bring in all supplies - food, water, work clothes, boots, shovels - and pack it all out again when they're done. They assume nothing is provided so they are not taking away from the meager resources there.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

I'd talk to your fellow gaijin in your area, or any Japanese friends you have. Someone might know something about a volunteer group you can hook up with. I've been up to Ishinomaki several times so far, but am lucky enough to know people who have set up an organized group, working with some of the locals in Ishinomaki.

Our main problem with volunteering is getting there. We are about 6 hours away by car. We have a guy who sometimes drives us there in his school mini-bus, but sometimes we have to take cars, and there isn't always room for everyone who wants to go. We all have to chip in for the gas money. You can get the highway fees waived, but in order to do that, you have to first go to the city office where you are volunteering, and get a paper to show at the toll gate. Which sucks if it is your first trip. The guys who organize our trips always have to plan a few weeks in advance, so they can get papers for future trips.

Depending on where you go, the shelter situation could range from staying in people's homes to sleeping in a tent. Some of the locals have awesomely let my group sleep in their semi-destroyed houses; we bring our own sleeping bags and crash on the floorboards. I believe that lately, the group has been able to sleep at a building which is being used as a kind of volunteer headquarters for "unofficial" groups like ours. Other times, they have pitched tents in a field.

If you are doing physical labor type work, you'll also need your own gear, as the above poster said. I think the two most important things are the boots and gloves. Shovels are handy as well.

I'm sure you can find a group to join, if you ask around. Every time we go, there are people from other places who have come to help out with their own groups. If there are any NPOs in your town, they might have something arranged. (For example, an NPO from my town is organizing a summer festival for the people of Ishinomaki. Taking groups of performers, and I assume there will also be food vendors and activities set up for the kids. )

Hope some of this was helpful to you. Where do you live?

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

Oh, and I echo what someone said about choosing to work with a group you trust. The first thing you should do upon arriving at your chosen spot is find out where to run in case of an earthquake or, god forbid, another tsunami. Was it last weekend that the big aftershock hit? I think so... anyway, some of my friends were in Ishinomaki with our group, and had to evacuate due to a tsunami warning. It turned out to be like, 10 cm, but still... scary.

Get volunteer insurance from your home city. It is super cheap. I think I paid about 1300 yen.

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

Well, the OP never replied to me... I hope you found some way to volunteer! If you didn't, and are still interested, let me know. Depending on where you live, or if you are willing to travel, I might be able to put you in touch with people who can help you find a way to help. Good luck!

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

Just got back from it. Stayed in Sendai, and went out to the middle of nowhere and took trash out of a house. You def don't need that much Japanese to be able to do it. So don't worry about it.

Shonai Ben · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 617

rxk22 · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1629

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

I think it is very possible to help out regardless of your linguistic level. I have a colleague who helps an organization rescue animals that were stranded in the radiation zone in Fukushima. He goes with a Japanese vet and they do have to don radiation suits for the work they do. And his Japanese is basic at best.