JETAA Toronto would like to share some information about the This is Fukushima Project. The project is known for its annual calendars, which are not sold, but given away for free to spread awareness about Fukushima.
(The Akebeko – Julie Ana Abreu)
This project exists to help improve the world’s opinion of Fukushima prefecture by showing the people and places of Fukushima that weren’t affected by the problems at the Daiichi reactor. They do not deny that there was a disaster IN Fukushima, but Fukushima itself is not the disaster. Only a small part of the prefecture was affected. The rest continues to thrive.
This is a Non-Profit project that only fundraises to pay for printing and shipping costs. All funds raised are used for that. In fact, they typically never raise all the necessary funding each year so the production team make up the budget shortfall out of our own pockets. The content of the calendar each year are the results of the collaboration of many people, both Japanese and foreign residents.
(Snowboarding on the Slopes of Mt. Bondai – Benjamin Griffiths)
The project sends the calendar nationally across Japan as well as internationally to media, politicians and prominent world figures. To date, the project has received acknowledgement from numerous noteworthy individuals including Justin Trudeau, Kathleen Wynne, and Okuda Norihiro (Japanese Ambassador to Canada).
JETAA Toronto would like to thank the organizers for donating images from last year’s calendar to spread awareness in our monthly newsletters. If you would like more information about the project visit their website www.thisisfukushima.org
And if you’re feeling rather generous and would like to donate for the cause you can do so here.