I haven’t written in a while and certainly not since March 11, because, frankly, I don’t know what to say and don’t think my words are worth much. I’ve also been waiting to hear, through friends and other sources, stories about the earthquake and its aftermath which the news is unlikely to feature. I have a few of those and I’ll pass them on in the coming days.
Many have asked me how they can help Japan. I’ve been at something of a loss. Many cataclysms have taken place in parts of the world where perhaps how to help is more obvious, for example, by sending a check to Doctors without Borders or Americares. Japan is a little different, it’s a developed country which does not lack for most resources, but clearly, the need is great. But as a rich society, many of the international relief organizations, from the UN on down, have little presence there, since, well, when was the last time you saw CNN reporting about Japanese kids with no school or access to health care?
Today I heard about the US-Japan Council’s efforts in raising money for Japanese charities and and aid organizations, who are on the ground in Tohoku as I write this, bringing food, medicine and other comfort to the many needy. Check out http://www.usjapancouncil.org/. I’ve been to a few US-Japan Council events over the years and they have all been very interesting, well-supported and well-attended.
More to follow in the coming days……
