THIS MONTH IN CULTURE... We have a real doozy for you! What’s that you want? Contemporary Japanese affairs? I’ve got that covered in my editorial, all about sexism in Japan. Get inspired reading the Spotlight on Mikey Newton, an ALT who is doing his part to help out the Tohoku region, from all the way down in Nagasaki. Do you want to learn about Japan’s interesting showbiz scene? Check out Verity Townsend’s article on Takarazuka. If you want some ALT action, look no further than Anthony Lieven’s piece on making a movie in Japan. Finally, if you need something to rest your little head after all that content, check out my guide to Japanese wedding culture, it’s wedding season after all, and you don’t want to be unprepared should that invite come.
SPOTLIGHT
Mikey Newton, Compassionate Poetry Collaborator Last month, you will all have noted the moment’s silence for the victims of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. It has been over three years since the tragedy, and yet, the victims are still struggling to move on. However, several intrepid ALTs are helping out in any way they can. Mikey Newton, in Nagasaki City is one of these ALTs. Coming from Baylor University in Texas, Mikey studied under Yuko Prefume, a Japanese professor who is keenly involved in efforts to support the Tohoku region. Her commitment has led her to arrange an annual visit by her students to the region, during which they volunteer for cleanup and repair, or play with children. Ms. Prefume also directs her students to read a poem in Japanese. The poem: ‘ 君たちが歩くとき ‘ by Miyazawa Souji is one of compassion and friendship, both of which have great meaning for the residents of Tohoku. Mikey helped out by encouraging numerous Nagasaki ALTs to join the project, by submitting videos of themselves reading the poem. He later edited all the clips and arranged them seamlessly into a compilation. The reaction to the video was powerful. Ms. Prefume reported that it had a profound impact on the people watching it in the Minami-Sanriku region. Seeing and hearing people from all over the world wishing them strength and luck, even moved some to tears.
CONNECT April Issue 2014
It has been three years since the disaster, but the region is still looking for help and support. So, if you have the ability, please do your part and help out. You can watch the video here.
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