HELPING DISASTER VICTIMS IN JAPAN

Last Updated - March 24, 2011

Many people have generously asked us at Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) how they could help the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.   The following is some information for those who wish to help or are seeking to get help.

CASH DONATIONS

This is the quickest and easiest form of assistance which can be applied broadly to aid disaster areas and provide an infusion of economic aid.  The following groups are among the many reputable relief programs:

Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation

They are a Japanese and Japanese American business association and are collecting donations on behalf of UNICEF (United Nations Childrens Fund).  Checks can be made payable to "US Fund for UNICEF" with the note "Japan Disaster Fund" and send to:

244 South San Pedro Street, Room 504, Los Angeles, CA  90012
Call (213) 626-3067  for more info.

Japan America Society of Southern California

100-year old nonprofit with both local and national chapters, has set up a special fund.   Checks may be sent to:   
Japan America Society, 345 So. Figueroa St., Suite M-1, Los Angeles, CA  90071.   Identify "Japan Earthquake Relief Fund" in the check memo line.

Call (213) 626-6217 for more info.    Secure online donations can be made at:  www.jas-socal.org

Red Cross

Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief.    People can donate via their website and also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those impacted by today's events.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers nationwide.   It has deployed 95 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses.  It is currently operating emergency medical and relief operations in the stricken areas.

The best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to through the U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also offered to assist Japan with restoring family links via their website at www.icrc.org/familylinks.

Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (Red Cross - Los Angeles Region)

In downtown Los Angeles, the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (Koban) is an official location for the American Red Cross.  They are accepting donations to be forwarded to the Japan Red Cross Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund.  The Koban is located at 307 E First Street, and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Checks can be made out to: "LTPSA/Japan Relief Fund" or "American Red Cross Los Angeles Region for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund".  Donation receipts of $10 or more will be mailed (on request) by the Red Cross, but will need a name, address, and phone number.

Please send checks to:  Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (Koban), c/o Japan Relief Fund, 307 E First St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.  Call (213) 613-1911 for more information.


LTSC  SERVICES AVAILABLE DURING THIS DISASTER CRISIS

DISKovery Computer Center - Earthquake Technology Assistance

The DISKovery Center is offering its support and best wishes to the countless people in Japan and around the world have been affected by the earthquake tragedy in Japan.

There are many resources available online for people to locate one another, message boards, news updates, online donation sites, as well as other online forms of communication like Skype, video chat, and email that can help people stay connected while phone lines are down.  Many people have come to post messages for their loved ones online and one person was actually able to locate a friend!

If you or anyone you know would like help using these technologies, the Little Tokyo DISKovery Center will be open Tuesdays- Fridays from 10 am- 2 pm to assist in English and Japanese until April 7.  Beginning April 8, please call or email Gena ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to make an appointment.

For more information, please call (213) 621-4158 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The DISKovery Center is located at:  353 East First Street, in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA  90012.

To call for more information or support

There are many members of our community who want to give assistance during this time of tragedy. At the same time, we realize that there are others who could use a little support themselves.  Here are some places people can call:

Nikkei Helpline:   Volunteers are available primarily for Japanese-speakers at (213) 473-1633 or 1-800-NIKKEI-1.  
Ryugakusei Hotline:  Similar to Nikkei Helpline but is for Japanese students here in Los Angeles.   Please call (213) 473-1630 or 1631.
Little Tokyo Service Center:  LTSC's bilingual Social Services staff can be reached by calling (213) 473-3035.


Website
Please check the LTSC website for additional or updated information: www.LTSC.org