I’m inserting portions of an email I received from Andy Couturier.
I spoke with Atsuko Watanabe, from Chapter 3 of my book (A Different Kind of Luxury). She recommended two groups, both of which, she says, would be helped tremendously by a donation of $1000.
After getting two suggestions from Atsuko, I spoke later with my old colleague and friend Koichi Honda, who speaks excellent English and uses email. His email is: hondak@mb.pikara.ne.jp . I have copied him in this email. His phone number is: 011-81-88-665-0758 Be sure to check the time difference before calling. I usually call between 4 PM and 11 PM California time. He’s the best person to be in contact with.
Here are two groups. One is a national group which, among other things, provides crucial factual information about nuclear power. Honda-san says “we check with them every day to see what’s happening.”
The second group is a local Shikoku group (the island I lived on for 4 years, and where five people I profiled live. Please see the map in the book.). They are fighting to close down the nuclear reactor in Matsuyama city, and their leader is Ms. Kyoko Ono. They will be protesting at a shareholders meeting in May, and they need money to fund their campaign and get the word out. They are definitely “scrappy” as you asked for. So here’s the information.
The first group:
Based in Tokyo, we are the Citizen`s Nuclear Information Center (CNIC). With a network of scientists, activists, and common citizens, we work to create a nuclear free world.
Their website in English is: http://www.cnic.jp/...
Here’s how to support them: http://www.cnic.jp/...
People outside Japan should send an international postal money order made out to Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center. Please specify the purpose of the money order as ‘Donation’. Alternatively, you can ask us to send you details regarding bank transfers.
Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center
3F Kotobuki Bldg., 1-58-15 Higashi-nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164 Japan
Tel: 81-3-5330-9520; Fax: 81-3-5330-9530
The second group:
Nuclear Power “Sayonara” Shikoku Network. This group is fighting to close down the nuclear power station in Shikoku. Please contact Mr. Honda about them and their work. He’s an active local member. The webpage I found for them, only in Japanese, is here:
http://genpatsu-sayonara.net/...
I would imagine they don’t have the resources or the time to translate their website into English. Also, I think using an international postal money order is the way to donate to them.
Lastly, Oizumi (Chapter 1) has faxed me a list of nuclear power companies/ plant administrators, and he asks us (fervently) that we CALL them up and say, in Englsih: “Shut down the nuclear power plants.” I think this could actually be effective, for us to call from the US. I will get you that list when I receive it (it was faxed to my friend Matt). For more information on Oizumi and his activities, please look at my recent blog posts at http://differentkindofluxury.com Cynthia has gotten together to buy him geiger counters.
My other friend, Kai Sawyer, may be able to help out with groups doing anti nuclear work. I’ve also cc’d him. He’s bilingual, and has just fled from Tokyo. He’s a young permaculture / engaged Buddhism activist, and a fantastic person. His excellent blog is here, with info about the post-tsunami and earthquake and nuclear situation: http://livingpermaculture.blogspot.com/
Before I got off the phone, Honda san said to me “We Japanese are very strong, and helping each other we can overcome this.”
Best,
Andy