Dear Susan Corrigan

Thank you for your concern! I'm Robyn Tsuji and I currently live in Tokyo. Tokyo is about 120 miles-170 miles from the epicenter, so although it shook quite a bit here too, there was not much damage. But the daily onslaught of non-stop disaster related news, continuing aftershocks, and news of the nuclear power plant emergency that seems to keep getting worse, is quite stressful in itself. 

Tokyo has been having scheduled blackouts, which is disrupting the whole city and creating chaos, and people are in somewhat of a panic over the lingering threat of a meltdown up north which has the potential to affect us too so gas, kerosene, and food is becoming somewhat scare here as well, even though there's actually enough. 

The degree of devastation at the center of the hardest hit areas is unimaginable. A need for mental health care is definitely there, but at the moment, all resources and attention is being focused on the rescue effort, so local volunteer organizations are unable to enter the areas, as it will be a hindrance to the relief workers and resources such as gas for the rescue equipment and emergency vehicles, as they are running low. 

Those of us therapists in Japan are still shaken ourselves by the sheer degree of disaster surrounding us and the daily aftershocks, but there's also a network of Japanese/international group of creative arts therapist I know of in the States who are also in talks to put a volunteer group of therapists together to bring mental health care aide to Japan, so perhaps working together with that group (CJCAT (I believe it stands for "Community of Japanese Creative Arts Therapists)) may be a good start? Of course, I will be more than happy to be part of the team, whether it be translating or helping with coordinating on the Japan-side, etc.

Dear Susan Corrigan-san
cc:Japanese member

I truly appreciate your thoughts.

My name is Yuriko ICHIKI. I live in Kyoto where nothing happened except small shaking.
I hope everybody in this recipient is well enough at this moment.
It seems many kinds of helping activities cannot be well functioned yet because of the roads' blockade.

But I would absolutely like to think about what I can do with art therapy in the future. Please help me then.

Yuriko ICHIKI
Nara Univ. of Education

Thank you for your concern and offer to assist those affected by the continuing disaster in Japan. As Robyn and Yuriko have said, we are still in a state of emergency and cannot fathom putting together a program of mental health care.  Once the lifelines are re-opened in the affected areas, and supplies are flowing freely
again, we can re-discuss this issue. 
 
As you may already know, I am an American art therapist living near Tsukuba, Ibaraki.  I work at an international school here, and I have held art therapy groups in Sendai over the past 15 years. Over 1,200 refugees are currently being sheltered in Tsukuba and Tsuchiura. I have supplied just one shelter with simple art supplies, toys, & books, and I'm helping coordinate citizens with local businesses to supply blankets/clothes to other shelters. The Japanese Self Defense Army in Ibaraki is in charge of supplying heat, food, blankets, etc.    With these conditions and connections some sort of 'art as therapy' &/or PTSD workshop might be feasible, but if art therapists from America were to come here, we have to consider the language barrier as well as fuel/housing during their stay. 
 
The best help you and other members can offer at this time would be to inform the news media that the imminent danger is not that of radiation, as everyone fears, but it is the needs of the tsunami survivors.  The only dangerous area was (is) a 20-30 km radius, but many people panicked and fled due to overseas news reports, making the situation worse.  Electricity, gas, kerosene, and some foods will be in short supply in the upcoming months (at least in my area), so we are all doing our part to conserve and share what we have. 
 
While it doesn't seem as personal, monetary donations to the Red Cross are helpful in getting necessary supplies to the people in the affected areas.  If I find another organization or charity to whom you could support, I'll let you know.  Until then, you may want to join the "News for Tsukuba Residents" on facebook to follow this crisis and our approach to it.  If you are unable to join this group, let me know and I'll see how to sign you up.
 
Thank you again, we really appreciate your quick empathetic response.
 
cheryl