GTN's goal for improving the living conditions of non-Japanese residents

The　interview　of　Mr Goto　the　CEO　of　Global　Trust　Networks　Co.,Ltd

The living conditions of non-Japanese residents have been improved over the past few years thanks to guarantor companies like Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd (GTN). This company has been dealing with issues coming from the guarantor system for nine years. With its tireless effort and perseverance, GTN is now one of the leading guarantor companies providing lease guarantor services to non-Japanese citizens. Although this industry does not look so glamorous, it has made a remarkable contribution to the spread of globalization in Japan. We interviewed Mr. Goto, founder and CEO of GTN, to learn about its unique staffing and mobile services.  

Q - What makes GTN's staffing and mobile services different from other existing services?

A - We didn't start staffing and mobile services in pursuit of profits. We had a profound desire to improve the living conditions of international students and those who are new to Japan. There are many companies that offer recruitment services to foreign workers who have language skills and expertise, but those with language barriers are the ones who really need our assistance. Most international students come to Japan with high hopes, but soon hit a wall as job hunting without Japanese fluency is quite difficult. They need a job to support themselves because, without income, they cannot pay tuition and rent. 

We believe that we can be their safety net. We can afford to expand into new markets now that our lease guarantor business is up and running. We do not provide dodgy services at affordable prices. We communicate with the students on a regular basis and try to understand any concerns they might have so that we can find solutions for them. We are growing by word of mouth. 

As for mobile services, we dropped the traditional two-year contract because many people stay in Japan for less than two years. The current contract system also demands a penalty fee for those who stay over two years upon their departure. There is almost no company that provides language services to make a contract. We offer an unlimited data plan for less than 3,000 yen, and this news is spread by word of mouth at universities and Japanese schools. Our knowledge and experiences from the lease guarantee business made it possible to lower the price for non-Japanese citizens.

Q - You've identified the needs of non-Japanese residents and turned it into a new business. What's next? 

A - The Cabinet is aiming to increase the number of international students to 300,000 by 2020, but the target may not be achieved with the current situation. We should offer something which western countries don't have in order to win the international students from those popular study abroad destinations. We will satisfy their basic needs by providing lease guarantee services, affordable mobile services, and recruitment services. 

We will try our best to accommodate their needs by providing high-quality services at affordable prices and help improve the living conditions of non-Japanese residents. 

People see western countries as a place where the American dream can come true, like Silicon Valley which has produced many successful, new billionaires. However, this idea doesn't really apply to Japan where most people see themselves as being middle class. Unlike western countries where very few people can climb the ladder of success, Japan makes it possible for anyone who can integrate with society, master keigo, and understand the way Japanese think to find a job. It shouldn't be that difficult to live a comfortable life once receiving a job offer. The Japanese dream is attainable for a wide range of non-Japanese people. That's why the idea is so attractive. 

Mr. Goto has been leading the company since its foundation. It began when Mr. Goto was just a student, but the company has grown to become an organization where employees can work harmoniously as a team while simultaneously nurturing their individuality. Nearly 70% of the company's 50 employees are from overseas and the management team consists of a mix of both genders with multiple nationalities. University researchers often visit the company for their diversity management studies. This small, international company will definitely be one leading the way to the globalization of Japan. 

『Let’s make Osaka a City for International Students』

Their contribution to the local community should be appreciated.

Keiichi Hasegawa was born in 1947. After graduating from Doshisha University in 1969, he started his career at Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. He became the executive director at Ehle Institute in 1976. He became the president of Ehle Institute in 1983. He is the president of Save the Children Japan, the vice president of the Minami Township Forum, and the president of the International Mentoring Association. He dedicates himself to providing support for international students as a committee membor of the Osaka Prefecture Vocational College Association.

We intervied Keiichi Hasegawa, the president at Ehle institute, which provides a variety of services to support international students in cooporation with local community.

『The course that ensures 100% employment rates.』

Ehle Institute launched a special course for qualified students that ensures 100% employment rates. The school believes in the importance of mentorship and offers extensive internship opportunities for students in coorporation with the local community.

The school supports students to set clear goals and work out a concrete plan towards these outcomes. This inspires others to pursue their dreams as well. Unfortunately, the modern educational system lacks this idea and puts too much focus on scoring marks in exams. It does not help students prepare for the job market. We aim to equip students with the necessary teamwork and communication skills through a mentorship program.

『Internship at local companies』

Faculty and students at Ehle institute have been expanding the number and type of internship opportunities for students. It took time for international students to find a company to work, but now local organizations and companies offer us more opportunities.

Students participate in unpaid internships in their course of study. Once their attitude and skills toward work are acknowledged, they may be offered a part-time job or paid internship. Hasegawa said that international students should contribute to the local community by adapting to Japanese society. Now they play an important role in the local community. Recently, they participated in an evacuation drill to keep the elderly people in a safe area. Like that, educational institutions should help international students build good relationship with locals so that their social status can be enhanced and they are welcomed by society. That's Hasegawa's goal to achieve the city for international students.

Importance of local history

While Hasegawa has dedicated himself to improving international students experience, he is also known as a committee member of the Osaka Prefecture Vocational College Association. Officials of the Ministry of Education seek educational advice from him as well. Ehle institute is a community-based school where most of its students are from overseas.

Hasegawa said that Osaka has something to attract foreign people and cultures. In fact, Osaka used to be the city that sent envoys overseas to gain new knowledge. Likewise, this city welcomed people from China and the Korean peninsula to spread their cultures.

I would like to conclude the interview with Hasegawa's remark: 'There is a reason why you study in Osaka. Don't forget that you have a mission to promote mutual understanding between Osaka and your countries. Work with us for bright future in Asia.'

I also dedicate myself to providing a variety of services for international students, including internship programs, and clubs and events to make local friends. Through this interview, I was inspired by Hasegawa from Ehle institute and people from the Osaka Prefecture Vocational College Association. Unfortunately, international students are not always welcomed by local community. That's why people like us should help them. There is an old saying, 'It takes 10 generations to succeed in Kyoto, 3 generations in Tokyo, and 1 generation in Osaka.' That means you are always outsider in Kyoto and Tokyo even if you become successful. However, you can make it in Osaka no matter what your background. You can be an Osakan. It's up to you. If you plan to study in Japan, why don't you come to this city? We look forward to seeing you here!　（Kazumi Miyazaki, chief editor at the Global Community）　（translated　by　Kaori　Asakami　Monash　Univ.）

Osaka launched the 'ASIAN GATEWAY' project

People are the main resource for the development of tourism in Osaka.

Osakans' openness to other cultures allows them to cooperate with other Asian people, making Osaka a vibrant city.

Megumi Koriyama, a senior student at Kwansei Gakuin University, interviewed Mr. Kano, a former Hong Kong Tourism Board official. With his extensive knowledge and experiences in a tourism industry, he launched tourism promotion campaign in April.

Q: You have a goal of 6.5 million foreign visitors in Osaka by 2020. How are you going to meet this goal?

A: It doesn't happen overnight. We should analyze previous data to estimate tourism revenues and set business targets. Unlike Tokyo and Kyoto, Osaka may not be a city full of tourist attractions but its people are enthusiastic, humorous and unique. Foreign visitors often appreciate Osakans' cheerfulness and openness.

'The years I spent abroad allowed me to see my country from a totally different perspective. Before starting the campaign, I needed to find out what this city can offer. Given that Osaka used to be a city that introduced Japan to the other Asian cultures, I thought that this city would be a destination for those who want to learn about our culture and start their own business. With this in mind, we launched the advertising campaign: 'ASIAN GATEWAY OSAKA' and 'VENTURING to Asia? Start in OSAKA'. As Karaoke and Kaiten Sushi were spread from Osaka to the world, this city is an ideal place for entrepreneurs to launch their business.

Q: Do you think international students can patricipate in this promotional campaign?

A: We began surveying foreign visitors in April regarding their stay in Osaka before they leave Kansai International Airport. We appreciate support by international students since this survey requires speakers of different languages. The collected data will be analyzed by the bureau afterwards. We expect students to act as professionals so we offer them training and uniforms. Educational institutions consider this project meaningful to students as they can gain first-hand experience.

Q: Are there any upcoming events that you are working on?

A: Yes. On June 1st, Red Bull X-Fighters Osaka, the first motocross World Championship in Asia, will be held in Osaka castle. We will host top-class Hip-Hop dancers from all over the world for the final competition of "DANCE　DELIGHT" on 1st of September. We are happy to celebrate its 20th anniversary of this event that started here in Osaka. We also aim to be the host city of the internationally renowned event, 'INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY,' sponsored by UNESCO and the UN. We support the International Red-White Singing Contest as well.

Mr　Kano　profile

Kunio Kano was born in Gunma prefecture in 1944. After graduating from Takasaki Senior High School, he earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing at Brigham Young University and an MBA at San Francisco State University. He started his career at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co. in 1972. In 1982, he assumed the position of Managing Director and Chief Representative of Manufacturers Hanover Limited, UK/Japan. In 1987, he became Managing Director and Deputy Branch Manager of Manufacturers Hanover Securities Company. In 1991, he joined Royal Doulton Dodwell KK, Japan, as President and Representative Director. In 1995, he held the position of Regional Director of North Asia at the Hong Kong Tourism Board. He witnessed first-hand the Hong Kong Handover in 1997, the September 11 attacks in 2001, the SARS outbread in 2003, Hong Kong - Japan Tourism Exchange Year in 2009, and the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. He became the head of Osaka's tourism bureau in April 2013.

インタビュー後の感想　
郡山めぐみ（関西学院大学4年）　
国際紅白歌合戦 IN OSAKA　実行委員会委員長
加納局長へのインタビューをさせていただいた中で、大阪へ足を運んでくださった方々へ対して日本ならではの「おもてなしのこころ」を持って迎え入れることを大切にしたいという想いに特に感銘を受けました。大阪に来られた「お客様」の満足のためには相手の立場や気持ちをよく理解し、客観的に自らを見つめ直すマーケティングをする必要があります。現在関西国際空港の出国カウンターにて滞在日数や滞在中の消費額、日本の満足度等を測るアンケートを実施・分析されているということで、観光立国・大阪としてその結果から見えてきた日本の新たな良さを更に伸ばし、外国人にとっての障壁を取り除く取り組みに行政と民間がひとつになって全力で取り組めば、2020年の来阪外国人650万人も夢ではないと心から思いました。更に素晴らしいと思ったのが、その関西国際空港でのアンケートのインタビュアーとして日本在住の留学生も起用しておられるということ。各々日本に魅力を感じて来日し、日本での生活の中で何らかの不便さを感じているであろう彼らをこの政策の一環に巻き込むことは大阪PRの点でも非常に助けとなるのみならず、留学生が日本への愛着を増したり自信を持てたりすることにもつながるでしょう。
加納局長率いる大阪観光局の取り組みに心から期待しつつ、私にできる「おもてなし」を模索していきたいと思います。

大阪の観光を一緒に盛り上げてくれる大阪サポーター募集中！！

Brewing Energy from Potato Biofuel to Save Japan!!

We interviewed Professor Takahiro Suzuki regarding his advocacy of the multi-level potato cultivation, which serves three purposes:

1. Improve production process

2. Revitalize the agriculture sector

3. Solve issues such as the greenhouse effect and energy conservation.

The rapid industrialization and economic growth in China and India lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emission. In Japan, the government reviewed the national energy strategy and decided to set off a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 25%. However, energy prices are on the rise due to a sharp increase in fossil fuel imports. The perilous decline of Japanese agriculture is another important issue to face. In fact, less young people engage in farming business due to the unstable income in this industry. Mr. Jae Heon Kim , a biotechnology student from Tokyo Institute of Technology, interviewed Professor Suzuki from Kinki University, regarding his "Multi-level potato cultivation for biofuel production” to solve issues we are facing, such as increase in carbon dioxide and energy prices, and collapse of agriculture.

Profile of Dr　Takahiro Suzuki

Professor at Kinki University, Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology

Prof. Suzuki was born into a farming family in Mikawa, Aichi prefecture in 1959. He was awarded scholarships at Nagoya University where he received a Masters degree in Agriculture. He is the first person from Nagoya University who received a graduate research fellowship from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. After working as a postgraduate researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he became a senior researcher at Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1989. Also, as a researcher at the Science and Technology Agency, he was sent to Princess Royal University Hospital in London where he served as a leader of Japan-US and Japan-UK joint research projects. After returning to Japan, he became an associate professor at Tokyo University of Science in 1996. Four years later, he withdrew from the position to work in the industry. He learnt business know-how from private companies and eventually became the most searched cosmetic researcher online. In 2010, he was appointed a professor at Kinki University. He started the "Furusato Ebisu Project" to create a safe, stress-free society with the support of the government and companies. His interest in entrepreneurship began when he was in the United States, where he met many local graduate students with an ambition to start their own business. He was greatly inspired by these young entrepreneurs, and decided to teach students at Tokyo University of Science. However, that was considered too radical in Japan and was not accepted. He believes that working for private companies are important for his identity.

I Want to Make this City Open to the Youth and Asian International Students.

The enthusiasm of a 27-year-old, the youngest ward chief of Tennoji, Osaka

Unlock infinite potential of students

Over 1,300,000 teenagers worldwide
already took part in the legendary “Rock Challenge”event

“Rock Challenge” – In 1988 this event took place for the first time to get the “positive attitude” out of the teenagers. Nowadays this event is also recognized by the UNESCO and the WHO and just yet the performance of Koshien was broadcasted nationwide. Furthermore, beside Australia, “Rock Challenge” events are performed in over 120 different places, like in New Zealand, England, Germany, Japan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and a few more. Many educational establishments consider Rock Challenge as ”the best  educational  program  in the world to cultivate sound spirits among students" and also enjoy the reputation as " educational institution" that motivates normal  teenagers to the level of creating a whole event on their own,

The German exchange student Andreas is working for Global Community as an intern since March 2012. He met with “Rock Challenge” producer Michael J. Di Stasio and talked with him about this project.

Q1:Andreas: “Rock Challenge” exists now for a very long time. Have you ever thought in the past, that this project would have such a big success?

A1:Di Stasio: “Rock Challenge” gives the chance for the students to work  and overcome the difficulties as a team and to have fun by creating everything on their own. Although they get some help for the music, the dances and the production by some professionals the main actors are students. Educators tend to underestimate the potential of the students. I think education means to unlock infinite potential of students That's why we focus on giving them a platform and assure them to tap their full potential on stage. I hope that they can also taste the joy of acting on stage like a professional.
 

Q2:Andreas: What was the intention to start this project in other countries, such as Japan? Furthermore, what are the future perspectives for this event?

A2:Di Stasio: Drinking, smoking, doing drugs and promiscuous behavior of teenagers are the biggest problems in countries like Australia, America and some European countries. For instance, in South Africa the biggest problem is  that 15 percent of all high school students are infected with HIV. High school students are looking for a way to dissipate their energy. However  the problems of the Japanese high school students are different. Their biggest worry is, that they often don't know how to behave themselves  in society. This problem arises from the fact that the way to measure to the abilities of a student are quite limited in Japanese society. They have to be free to create their own ideas and thoughts.

Also we wanted to create an antithesis to the strong commercialized Japanese pop and show business. In my opinion it is a much bigger threat, that young children are  sexually abused for CD sales than the threat of radioactivity.

Since 2006 we went on stage 5 times and the main  participants have been  international schools, but every year there are more local Japanese shcools participating and in future we want to implement more traditional Japanese music.  Through this matter we can introduce Japanese music and art more in foreign countries. I think the traditional Japanese performance gains dignity even of western arts producers when they watch it. Until now the Japanese students mainly perform HIPHOP songs and the American culture has a big influence on the students, but  hopefully the spirit of the Japanese performance may touch their souls. My dream is that Japanese students discover fun in expressing themselves on stage freely at the “Rock Challenge” events, just like students do in Australia.

As Mr Di Stasio is married with a Japanese women and living here for many years, he is concerned with the needs of Japanese students. Kindly he accept our offer to  cooperates with our  2nd International Singing Festival in October. We hope that there will be more schools participating in “Rock Challenge” in the future.

Comments　from　interviewer  Andreas Steiner

 

I never heard about Rock Challenge before and so I read some articles about it before the interview took place. But right in the interview I realized what the real intention of Rock Challenge is. I have to admit, that I was really amazed after the interview with Mr. Di Stasio.  There should be more people like him that put so much effort into a non-profit project. He exactly figured out, what the problems of today's youth are and he tries to avoid that they start drinking too much alcohol, doing drugs or even committing suicide. With his project he wants to show them that they can be strong and self-confident without any addictive substances. He gives them a chance to find their own way and build their own mind and he even has enough courage to oppose the modern pop industry. They can be stars without sexually attracting older man, like most of the Japanese pop bands with young girls in it do. Furthermore I like the fact that he brought the idea of “Rock Challenge” to many other countries with different backgrounds. I hope that this project will gain more success and I also hope that Mr. Di Stasio keeps on working on this unique and outstanding project.
Translated by Andreas Steiner (exchange student in Dokkyo Univ.)

ROCK　CHALLENGE　OFFICIAL　SITE　http://www.globalrockchallenge.com/

The Original Social Business!

 
Never give up on Fukushima!!

After the March 11 earthquake, many people reaffirmed the importance of “people-to-people bonds.” In this interview, Shi In Ketsu (right, China) and Lee San Jun (left, South Korea) speak with Masao Ogino, a native of Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, who is involved in support activities for the earthquake reconstruction, and is also the president of ICHII Corporation Ltd., a social business enterprise that provides housing support for foreigners.

Masao Ogino: President of ICHII Corporation Ltd. and chairman of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Property Management Association. Returning home after living in several U.S. and European countries during his university years, Mr. Ogino decided to move into the property industry, providing housing for foreigners. With the industry expanding, Mr. Ogino has become a pioneer by holding seminars related to housing support for foreigners, as well as running a foreign student internship program. After the March 11 earthquake, he quickly returned to his hometown Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, where he launched the “Fukushima International Media Village,” and is steadily continuing his activities with the aim of giving courage to the Iwaki locals.

Q: (Mr. Shi) What gave you an interest in housing problems for foreigners?

A: (Mr. Ogino)When I was a student I travelled to the US and England, where I rented and lived in various places. It was here I saw many different types of housing. In the guesthouses I stayed at there were people of various countries hanging out in the living room and enjoying their conversations with one another – regardless of age, sex, or nationality. It was very stimulating. When I first came back to Japan, I searched for accommodation where foreigners could live. Apart from places where embassy workers and executives from foreign companies would live – where the rent was $10000 a month – at the time there were no other places.  One day, while searching for a house with a [foreign] university professor, we went to several real estate agents, but were turned away from most of them just because the professor was a foreigner. I realized then how hard it was for foreigners to look for housing, even if they were trustworthy people. Since then, I began to work in earnest in order to get rid of this kind of housing discrimination. After that, as foreigners in Japan increased my business began to grow, and I was able to build large corporate-style accommodation capable of housing over 100 people, just like the guesthouses I saw overseas. Now, guesthouses are becoming known in society, and are even reported on frequently in various media.

Q: (Mr. Lee) As chairman of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Property Management Association, you must be making all kinds of new proposals to the industry.


A: (Mr. Ogino) That’s right. It’s part of my pride as a real estate agent! My parents were landlords, so when I was a child I lived in tenement housing with other residents where we got along well. Back in the day, part of a landlord’s job was looking after residents by, for example, helping them search for jobs and introducing them to prospective marriage partners. This was in return for receiving rent continuously from residents. This was the original role of real estate agents (i.e. landlords). Here we see the concept of “social business”, where the idea of valuing the community is an essential part of business. At the International Exchange Committee, therefore, we do things like hold seminars for people in the business, make multilingual DVD housing guides, as well as run an internship program for foreign students, in order to create an easier rental environment for foreigners.

Q: (Both interviewers) We’re very grateful for your kindness during our internships. Is that kind of sentiment also the basis for your support in your hometown of Iwaki, where we also helped out?

A: (Mr. Ogino) That’s right. It’s part of my pride as a real estate agent! My parents were landlords, so when I was a child I lived in tenement housing with other residents where we got along well. Back in the day, part of a landlord’s job was looking after residents by, for example, helping them search for jobs and introducing them to prospective marriage partners. This was in return for receiving rent continuously from residents. This was the original role of real estate agents (i.e. landlords). Here we see the concept of “social business”, where the idea of valuing the community is an essential part of business. At the International Exchange Committee, therefore, we do things like hold seminars for people in the business, make multilingual DVD housing guides, as well as run an internship program for foreign students, in order to create an easier rental environment for foreigners.

Q: (Both interviewers) Finally, what do you hope from today’s young people, and what kind of person would you like to work with?

A: In any case, I think it’s important for young people to go overseas while they’re young. Also, please mix with as many different people as possible and make friends all around the world. In terms of people I want to work with, they should have a sense of curiosity and enjoy challenges. Also, although work in real estate will change with the needs of the time, regardless of the age considerate communication will always be fundamental. If you’re someone who sympathizes with idea of making people happy through housing, then I would definitely want to work with you.

It is said that when foreign students come to Japan the first people they come into contact with are their Japanese language school teacher and a real estate agent. President Ogino, as a pioneer in the real estate world, has step-by-step single-handedly realized the oath he made over thirty years ago. It is precisely this social business manager who, thinking of his friends, is also involved in the Fukushima nuclear problem.

Let’s build the “International Red and White Song　contest” into an international event!

The “Red and White Song contest” (Kōhaku Uta Gassen) is, of course, the national event held every New Year’s Eve on NHK. Japanese around the country share hit songs and golden oldies, as well as reflect on that year’s events. They also affirm their connection and solidarity with one another in preparation for the new year. The songs performed are also a reflection of the times.

While the “International Red and White Song Battle” is based on this event, its essence is slightly different. Rather than the “red and white” (denoting the colors of the teams that compete against one another), the focus is on the “international”. In this way, we can bring together those foreigners around us to create a “multicultural song battle”.

However, one cannot describe this song battle without mentioning the Great East Japan Earthquake. On March 3, Japan was hit by an unprecedented major earthquake and tsunami, followed by a nuclear accident. Relief teams came from around the world, along with donations and calls of “ganbare Nippon!” (“Don’t give up, Japan!). Foreigners living in Japan also rushed to volunteer in the affected areas. For these people, the disaster wasn’t someone else’s problem. “Giving hope to those in the disaster zone” – this was the theme of the International Red and White Song Battle right from the planning stages.

Having ethnic and multicultural media enter their names as group sponsors was also a bold approach. While they are vastly inferior to the mass media in terms of audience reach, we were able to transcend national borders through their use of technology to transmit information in their native languages. They thus demonstrated their power in a different dimension to the Japanese-language mass media. We also trialled a live broadcast through Ustream. It is through these approaches that the meaning of “international” in the “International Red and White Song Battle” is found.

However, even more worthy of note is the fact that foreigners of many nationalities as well as Japanese were able to come together through song. There are over two million foreigners living in Japan, but if their nationalities are different they don’t have many chances to interact with one another, and thus tend to mingle with people of their own nationality. This is only natural if they are unable to speak the same language.

If NHK’s Red and White Song Battle is a Japanese national event, then the International Red and White Song Battle can be said to be an event for a multicultural society. Actually, just confining it to a regional event is not enough – I want it to be turned into an international event that garners attention the world over.

(Author) Susumu Ishihara , editor-in-chief at the multicultural info magazine “Immigrants” (he contributed this article representative of the planning committee for the event).

多文化情報誌『イミグランツ』　

　グローバルコミュニティーでは、今回、多文化共生に詳しい元毎日新聞論説副委員長の石原進氏に国際紅白歌合戦の総括の記事を書いていただきました。石原氏は、記者当時から日本における外国人問題に深い関心をもち、「多文化共生社会・日本」　の実現をはかるべく多文化情報誌『イミグランツ』を創刊されています。第一線のジャーナリストとして活躍された深い見識と、毎日新聞政治部副部長時代に培った豊富な人脈を活用し、海外有識者ネットワーク日本事務局長を努めながら、『日本社会の内なる国際化』の啓蒙活動を『イミグランツ』を通して地道に続けておられます。
『イミグランツ』は、以下の公式サイトよりお求めいただけます。

http://www.imin.co.jp/immigrants/

多文化情報誌『イミグランツ』　NO.4

特集１：東日本大震災と在日外国人・・被災地でボランテイア活動に参加した外国人の人たち

特集2：『EPA』を問い直す・・待ったなしの人材不足。いろいろな角度からEPAのシステムを考える。

特集3:『開国』から20年・・単なる労働者としてではなく、日本を作っていく仲間として。。

“I just want to help the people I love”

A desire to help, and the miracle it led to

Several months after the 3.11 Great Earthquake, there were problems with relief supplies sent to government offices not being efficiently delivered to those in need. It was in this situation that “Fumbarou East Japan” (“Project Fumbaro Eastern Japan”) representative, Takeo Saijo, came up with a simple system of directly sending supplies to these people. Mr. Saijo, then spread the word of this method to tens of thousands of people over Twitter, starting a revolution in the delivery of relief supplies. Eitarou Konno (Lakeland University, Japan Campus) and Yiru Guo(Sophia University) spoke with one of the most relied-upon people in the disaster area.

  　


(Konno) My hometown is Ishinomaki City, and I volunteered there for a month and a half, clearing up rubble. However, because the local leader was absent, we had a difficult time. What was your strongest feeling during your work in the disaster zone?

(Saijo) This disaster is of a magnitude no-one has ever experienced before. I don’t want to simply say “you can’t understand unless you go,” but the damage was far worse than I imagined – I was lost for words. I also lost an uncle I loved very much, and my relatives and friends that remained have suffered a lot. Even if you go and help out in the disaster zone, it’s very hard to tell the people there to “give it their all.” Everyone is already giving it their best suppressing their unhappiness. Despite the heat, there are people even now in the evacuation sites without fans. There’s still so much more we need to do.


(Konno)  What is the reason Ganbarou Higashi Nippon’s work reached so many people in such a short time?

(Saijo)  I think it’s because it is based on my research in “Structural Constructivism,” where you grasp the situation on the ground, and try to conduct support activities in as simple a way as possible. There were already a matching website for sending support material, but the people in the disaster area who can access the internet and obtain information are in the minority. We went directly to the evacuees, asked them what they needed, and then put that list up on our website.
Luckily courier services were already running, and through the website we were able to connect people receiving and sending supplies. Before long we went from simply “sending supplies,” to a feeling of “helping specific individuals to receive supplies,” and I think senders motivation to support them became stronger. Twitter was really helpful in relaying the situation from the ground. The will to help those in the disaster zone spread with the dissemination of this vivid information, and friends of “Ganbarou” increased in no time. Also, even if some things went bad and were criticised, if this remained at only around five percent of everything we were doing, we turned a blind eye to it and proceeded with our plans. I think it was good that we stuck to our idea of “only for the disaster people.”

(Guo) How do you think students should respond to the earthquake?

(Saijo) In any event, myself and the students around me want other students to go the disaster zone and see it for themselves. I think it would be difficult for some young people, who are blessed with the environment they have, to empathise with people’s pain and deep sadness. However, for those who go and see the disaster zone, their feelings towards giving support changes in a definite way. As they volunteer, I think the feeling that they want to help others becomes aroused from the bottom of their hearts. I don’t think of the activities that I do as volunteering. I simply act with the thought that in any event I want to help those in the disaster zone – it’s as natural as eating. I think a lot of my fellow workers are the same.

It’s already been four months since the earthquake, but the disaster zone is still far from recovery – everyone’s continued support is needed. Emergency groups such as “Geiger Counter Project” and “Kaden (home applicance) Project”, as well as new groups like Entertainment Squad and Student Squad have started their activities. I think studying for job-hunting is important, but through Ganbarou East Japan’s activities I want everyone to have encounters and experiences that they can’t learn at school – one’s they won’t forget for the rest of their lives.

Takeo Saijo profile：
Waseda University Graduate School (MBA) full-time lecturer. Specialises in Psychology and (Scientific) Philosophy. Systemized the meta-theory “Structural Constructivism”. Originally from Sendai, he started Ganbarou East Japan in order to do what he could for those who lost their lives.

http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/saijotakeo0725/
http://sites.google.com/site/structuralconstructivism/
twitterID:@saijotakeo (follower:17,532)

Eitarou Konno’s impressions

I was very impressed by Mr Saijo’s words, “I’ve never thought of what I am doing as volunteering.”  Having had these feelings myself, people often tell me to “give it my best” or that I’m very “admirable,” but helping your friends and relatives when they are suffering is a natural reaction. Rather, when I think of my friends who lost their lives, I truly feel sorry for not being able to do anything for them - I recognized this again during the interview.

（please see the full article at yokosojapan.net）
translated by Lance Truong (Monash Univ.)


「ふんばろう東日本支援プロジェクト」　http://fumbaro.org/