Japanese Relief Day

Within a few days after Japan's M 9.0 earthquake on March 11, a county-wide fundraiser was initiated by Japan Club, Japanese international students and volunteers in Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB).

The tremor left at least 10,000 dead, 16,000 missing, 2,700 injured and many more homeless. Miyagi Prefectural Police assumed the death toll would reach over 10,000, but the reality went worse. The record quake is the biggest in the nation's history and has resulted in the highest death toll in 65 years caused by natural disasters.

Across from the Pacific Ocean, many CSUMB students have attempted to reach out for Japan by setting donation boxes on and off campus, raising awareness with information board and posters, selling t-shirts, scheduling Japanese Cuisine Day at The Dining Commons (DC) and more for future. The locations of the boxes for on campus are at University Book Store, The Otter Bay Restaurant, library café, The Otter Express and DC. Off campus locations covers several cities in Monterey County such as Farmer's Market, Monterey-Peninsula Airport, restaurants in Fisherman's Wharf, Carmel, Pacific Grove, etc.

As of March 16, several Japan Club members stand at DC and ask for students' contribution in form of cash, checks and online donation. They also visit classrooms with boxes; Chelsea Swick, a treasurer of Japan Club, reported they collected $67 from a single class, which brought a success in the club's initial attempt. Selling t-shirts is expected to be one of the biggest charity resources due to its popularity and accessibility to students. "It's funny many people are interested in buying t-shirts, but when I ask them to donate some money they don't want to," says Danielle Shubert, senior, WLC. They sold out original t-shirts for $18 and put $15 towards Japan relief effort, and are planning to sell more with a new design. Also, DC and the club collaborated and hosted Japanese Cuisine Day on March 29, providing Japanese food throughout the day. Fifty percent of cash sales went to Japanese Red Cross Society, which the donation collected through Japan Club is also contributed to. The event raised over $1,100.

Apart from Japan Club and Japanese internationals who have lived in Japan and feel very close to the country, more than 20 groups and individuals offered themselves for volunteer. Their generosity surprised Nanae Ito, Japanese exchange student. "One of my classmates said to me she would do whatever she could to help Japan Club. It was really heart-warming."

From Sendai, the city nearest to hypocenter, to Tokyo the central Japan, lack of food and electricity is severe. Government activated a deliberated blackout plan to conserve powers, which stopped electricity supply completely for three hours one by one in selected cities including Tokyo. "All the trains and traffic lights stop too, so it's a huge mess for commuters," says Satoe Ukon who lives near Tokyo and was in train when the earthquake happened. "The train stopped all of sudden. The body shook a little and then a huge sway hit. You had to hang on to something to stand up. Passengers ended up being confined in subway platform for over 7 hours. It was cold, my phone was about to die and I was by myself, so just hoped I could see my family and friends soon. Since I couldn't get enough information of the quake there, I'd never expected the damage would be this serious." Tokyo and Sendai city is 188 miles away, but many stores and gas stations in capital of Japan are closed, not having enough merchandise to sell.

Even though they severely lack food, medicine and commodity on the spot, money is the best way to contribute in avoiding confusion and making a smooth relief process. CSUMB fundraisers would like as many people as possible to participate and greatly appreciate any amount of contribution.