WHEN JAPAN FACED UNPRECEDENTED DISASTERS CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMI THAT STRUCK THE COUNTRY ON MARCH 11TH, 2011, A HUGE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT CAME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THROUGH A GREAT MANY CHARITABLE EVENTS AND FUNDRAISING ORGANIZATIONS.

IN NEW YORK, A SMALL GROUP OF OUR FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO TO HELP. SO WE ASKED OUR FRIENDS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY TO DONATE THEIR UNUSED FASHION ITEMS, AND HELD A FLEA MARKET IN THE BASEMENT OF SATURDAYS SURF NYC (Watch video). SUBSEQUENTLY, WE SET UP A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, (501(C)(3) APPROVAL PENDING) "SAVE JAPAN FOR AMERICA," IN ORDER TO DONATE MONEY TO OUR CHOICE OF RELIEF ORGANIZATION.

A YEAR LATER, WHILE MUCH RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE, MANY IN THE TOHOKU REGION STILL LIVE IN TEMPORARY HOUSING. IN FUKUSHIMA WHERE THERE WERE A SERIES OF EQUIPMENT FAILURES LEADING TO THE RELEASE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS, MANY ARE STILL LIVING WHERE THEY WERE EVACUATED TO AND ARE UNABLE TO GO HOME. THERE IS STILL MUCH NEED FOR FINANCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT, BUT THERE IS LITTLE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN SOME GREAT DOCUMENTARIES MADE ,THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF ART AND CRAFTS COMING OUT OF AFFECTED AREAS, AND THERE ARE STILL RECONSTRUCTIVE AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE. WHEN WE GOT TOGETHER AGAIN TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN DO A YEAR LATER, ONE THING WE THOUGHT OF WAS THE NEED FOR AN INFORMATION PORTAL ABOUT THESE THINGS.

THAT IS HOW WE CAME UP WITH THIS TUMBLR SITE. YOU CAN MAKE DONATIONS, LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, SEND MESSAGES TO PEOPLE IN AFFECTED AREAS. WE HOPE TO FUNCTION AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GOINGS ON IN THE TOHOKU REGION AND ENGLISH SPEAKING READERS.

SAVE JAPAN OF AMERICA IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION. DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.