Hello all,
We've been looking in to the various ways of offering support to Japan. The problem is figuring out how to get the majority of your donation to the people who need them. Many large organizations have been found to spend the majority of received donations on their own administrative / operational fees, with only a small amount actually making it to the intended target. So following is the best info I've been able to find so far (feel free to offer further):
The Southern California Naginata Federation has donated $500 to the Japanese Red Cross via the Japanese Consulate. Below is an announcement paraphrased from the Japanese Consulate General of Japan here in LA:
The Japanese Consulate is forwarding donations directly to the Japanese Red Cross (bypassing the American Red Cross). So, another option is to donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross here:ANNOUNCEMENT: CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN LOS ANGELES
Monetary Donations in Response to the Japanese Tohoku Area - Pacific Ocean Earthquake
The Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles is accepting monetary donations in response to the Tohoku - Pacific Ocean Earthquake. They claim 100% will go toward aiding the Japanese people with recovery from the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear power plant meltdowns.
They are accepting donations by check. Please address the check and mail as detailed below.
Write Checks to:
“Consulate General of Japan”
(Memo line: Earthquake Aid)
Mailing Address:
Consulate General of Japan
350 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1700
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3472
(Earthquake Aid)
Please write "Earthquake Aid" on both the check memo line and the mailing envelope. The donations accepted will be sent directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Donations from individuals and organizations are both welcome.
For more information see the Embassy of Japan and Consulates in the U.S. webpage:
http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/e_m01_05.htm
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/ (English)
As far as financial donations go, the best way is probably to donate directly to the local associations in the affected areas (Kenjinkai 県人会 ). These are local clubs formed by the residents. This cuts out all the middle men.
Not all of them seem to have webpages, but here are best links I could find to the most affected areas:
Ibaraki Prefecture:
http://www.pref.ibaraki.jp/bukyoku/s...ndexsaigai.htm (Japanese)
Fukushima Prefecture:
http://www.worldvillage.org/fia/kinkyu_english.php (English)
http://www.worldvillage.org/fia/data..._0316_1600.pdf (English - *wire donation instructions*)
http://wwwcms.pref.fukushima.jp (Japanese)
Miyagi Prefecture (Sendai):
http://www.pref.miyagi.jp/kihu.htm#3 (Japanese)
Another, and perhaps easiest donation, is to donate shoes. Shoes (especially dry shoes) are a big problem in Japan right now. You can send them shoes and know that your entire donation is getting there while helping someone for sure through Sports Chalet:
http://f.e.sportchaletnews.com/i/3/2...c_s4s_sv5.html
I hope everyone's friends and family in Japan have made it through o.k. This is a really sad event.
Regards,