Fresh Sentiments in the Air in Iketani and Iriyama

We have successfully completed the four sessions of Snow Busters this year. This year, we established the ‘Snow Removal Training Hall’, and all volunteers received training allowing them to go up onto the roofs of houses to remove the snow. 

Seeing the volunteers climb up onto the roofs, the village people noted happily, ‘If they brush up on a few more skills, we can entrust them to do the parts that we are unable to do!’

During the same period, the Tookamachi Regional Development Planning Committee held a workshop in which there was a engaging 7-hour discussion in which they exchanged opinions on ways to both ‘enliven the village, and ensure its sustainability,’ Members considered that, ‘having new inhabitants was an indispensable component to the sustainability of this village, but pondered, ‘How should we go about attracting new inhabitants?’

The answer to this issue will not come easily. However, what is important is the new sentiment in the air, the hope that this year will be one in which the village people will consider and act for the future of their village.

Grow Together!

  On the first day of the Harvest festival volunteer project, all the volunteers helped with sewage improvement of the branch school and prepared the tree-planting ceremony.  Since we planned to plant the trees where we did last year, we first disposed of the grass, mowed and finally made 100 holes.  We created a fantastic board for the Harvest festival using the idea of decorating real radishes and carrots.

On the day of the Harvest festival, we all prepared for it by helping to cook miso soup with pork and vegetables, arranging Mr. Hashiba's residence for the symposium and bringing up some tables.  We also created bamboo skewers for broiling iwana (mountain trout) with salt and bamboo cups.

Finally, the Harvest festival started in the afternoon.  First of all, we did treasure hunting.  This is an annual event, but surprising treasures still remained in Iketani and Iriyama, which the villagers didn't realize existed.

Next was the Symposium "Let's think about the future of Iketani and Iriyama": this was the first symposium in the village.  We had Professor Nakajima (Tanada Network), Mr. Nagasaki (Chuetsu Fukko Network), Ms. Saiki (Toka-machi city hall), Mr. Tsukura (Iketani), Mr. Yamamoto (Toka-machi Regional Development Planning Committee) and Ms. Kiyama from JEN as panelists.  A heated debate was conducted.

There were many constructive comments like "Iketani and Iriyama's rice is the No.1!  Next year, we are going to make a field with the volunteers!"  Visitors also gave us many ideas.

8 people from Betsuyama district of Nishiyama-cho where the Development Committee and JEN supported in Chuetsu-oki earthquake joined the event.  Both relationships have deepened since the last "Genki-Takuhaibin-Event".

After the symposium, we had another main event, the performance from the play group "Hishi-no-kai", who mainly perform in Tobitari area.  In their unique act, there was a lot of improvisation in which the audience got involved.  At the climax of the play, actors cheered up the villagers:

"We sometimes face difficulties but let's keep it up, Ikedan (nickname of Iketani and Iriyama)!"

We planted both fifty maples (Itaya-Kaede) and Guercus Serratas (Konara) the next day.  We look forward to seeing them grow and they will be our responsibility.  We felt relieved after the event, and all of us went to the Beech Forest to relax.

This year's "Village Development (Mura-Okosi)-volunteer event" was over, but we are planning our first Snow Clearing Volunteers to stay at Iketani branch school next January.  We would appreciate your help to Iketani and Iriyama in various ways.  Next year, we are going to make more plans so that the volunteers can make an even more significant contribution.  We thank you for your attention, as always.

November 3rd is a Harvest festival! In Iketani/Iriyama

The season of the Harvest festival has come this year!
We will have a lot of events like treasure hunt and art events.If you would like to join as a volunteer, please choose to stay either 3 nights and 4 days or 2 nights and 3 days.

Visitors on the day are also welcomed!

2007 Iketani/Iriyama Harvest festival Agenda

Date & Time: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007
13:00-13:15 Reception
13:30-14:45 Treasure Hunt
14:45-15:45 Summary of Treasure Hunt/Announcement
1600-17:30 Symposium (Theme: Look back at the three-year activities in Iketani/Iriyama after the Great Chuetsu Earthquake, and think about the way to go for the villages to survive.
17:30-18:30 Performance of Hishiba-no-kai
18:30-18:45 Preparation of the dinner at the Harvest festival
18:45-19:15 Greeting from the guests (Mayor of Tokachi-machi and etc.)
19:15-21:00 Dinner
21:00-21:05 Adjourn

The 20th “Ohanasi-tai” – Last activity

We papered the rest of the sliding doors and prepared for and held the networking event.  The weather was on our side all the time, and we could enjoy the fine autumn weather.  “Ohanasi-tai” started on August 3rd.  We experienced so many things and gradually could gain the understanding of the Betsuyama people in order to have a good relationship with them.
When we started the preparation for the networking event, we assumed 60 people would come.  However, to our surprise, over 120 people came and joined us.  The meal we prepared was only just enough for them.

Our aim is that through mutual effort, the people from Betsuyama and Iketani/Iriyama in Tokamachi, and volunteers, hold this networking event. It should not be a one-sided approach.

On the morning of the networking event, the tripartite prepared the meal vigorously.  For the entertainment of the party, people from Betsuyama sang festival Mai and music, people from Tokamachi danced around to live music, “Ohanasi-tai” volunteers sang and performed, while people from Katakuri-no-sato played a violin.  All of us played a part and communicated well with each other, we believe.

  Also, people from Iketani/Iriyama in Tokamachi damaged by the Great Chuetsu Earthquake three years ago cheered up people from Betsuyama.  They invited Betsuyama people to the Harvest festival held in November 3rd in Iketani/Iriyama.

This was the last activity of “Ohanasi-tai” but we would like to keep assisting Betsuyama in the same ways as we support Iketani/Iriyama.  Your continuous support to the Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation for all your big supports to JEN “Ohanasi-tai”.  Thank you.

The 19th “Ohanasi-tai”

This time we papered sliding doors (SHOJI) at the village center and residences.  The members were good at putting papers on sliding doors and we were able to finish so fast and the Town Chairman was very surprised.  We put approximately over 300 papers on the doors, this time in the Betsuyama area.  We did not expect that we would paper sliding doors in the disaster area when we started our activities.

We tried to support effectively while prioritizing mental health care as the most important thing. So, while we cleaned the houses, we tried to make people happy, chatting while putting on the papers and making close relationships with the afflicted people like one big family.

After all, we became “Shoji-hari-tai”, not “Ohanasi-tai”.

We do not know how much we could contribute to the removal of blue sheets from Betsuyama, but would hope at least we were able to show support by papering slide doors as a visible activity of reconstruction.

The First Dialogue Friends have been sent!

From August 3rd to 5th we had carried out the first operation of the Dialogue Friends, which is part of our "Chuetso-oki earthquake volunteer program".

The nine people who took part of this operation began their activities in the community center of Betsuyama where many people are taking refuge. They helped with clearing and cleaning areas. They also visited individual homes to help with fixing the gardens and other places damaged by the quake.

After all that, they took some rest and shared tea with the people at the refuge center where they were welcomed warmly even by those who haven't had a sip of warm tea since the earthquake.

There are also some people who hesitate to have strangers like us, and some others who have hearing disabilities, living at the refuge center. Still, as soon as we began to serve tea and played some games with them, they approached and happily joined us.

The streets outside of the refuge center show how fast the restoration works are being conducted. That is typical Japan. But on the other hand, we can also see a welfare bus that serves as the legs for all of the elderly. In spite of all the portable gas stoves provided, the supplies bought, the medicine given, there is no way to get to the public baths away from the refuge center.

A 90 year old lady who was born, married and raised her children in Betsuyama, has lived alone since her husband died 20 years ago, until the earthquake happened. She lived here for her entire life, and to see buildings from as far back as the Edo Period fall down.

She mentions that she is now living at the refuge, but still goes to her vegetable farm everyday. She is worried about the possibility of moving into a temporary shelter within walking distance from the farm, but at the same time she reckons with a smile that hers are small worries if compared to a war situation.

We were supposed to go help these people, but were overwhelmed by their strength. We are thankful for all we learned together.

Recruiting volunteers for the Chuetsu-oki earthquake.

-For those in need of assistance we provide our support.-

Getting on the move to respond to the emergency, the Kashiwazaki Social Welfare Conference in Nishiyama has began to assess the medium-to-long term needs of the earthquake victims.

Based on this assessment, the "psychosocial care" project will be carried out as a major project by the Toka Machi Welfare Conference, which belongs to the jurisdiction of Iketani (Toka Machi), where JEN has worked since 1994.

All interested applicants who want to participate in these volunteer activities are welcome to apply here.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Account Number: 00170-2-538657
Account Holder: JEN
* Please specify if your donation is for the purpose of assisting the “Chuetsu-oki earthquake emergency”.
=This account is available only in Japan=

Japan's Most Beautiful Sunset.

The day at Nishiyama's volunteer center starts with the head of the office greeting us energetically, "Good morning! Let's do our best with a smile in our faces again today!"
　

Then, at around 5 o'clock, Mr. Abe gives a small speech like "according to… the English science magazine….” etc, and the day ends with everyone paying regards to the day's efforts.

Mr. Abe also told us that the "Ishiji" (A region in northern Nishiyama that faces the Sea of Japan) sunset is the best one in all of Japan. He recommended the volunteers that arrived from all over Japan to take the chance to enjoy the sunset at 7 o'clock. The exact place where the sun sets is thought to be the epicenter of the Chuetsu earthquake. On your way there though, you must pay enough attention because the road is in a fairly bad condition due to the quake.

In spite of the tension and tiredness of the day's hard work, Ms. Tanaka and I decided to follow his recommendation and go have a look.

Sorting things out on the way, we managed to arrive at Ishiji at 7:05. The most beautiful sunset in Japan, with such a crimson sun setting in the horizon, was breathtaking.
　

At this point, I am reminded of how much I want to help people who are in trouble…  I used to work at a corporate company, when I visited the Thai island of Phi Phi for monitor the progress of reconstruction efforts, and felt helpless. Today, those feelings came flooding back.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Account Number: 00170-2-538657
Account Holder: JEN
* Please specify if your donation is for the purpose of assisting the “Chuetsu-oki earthquake emergency”.
=This account is available only in Japan=

Sending Volunteers to Help

The Nishiyama volunteer center has begun its operations, and from 9 AM volunteers will begin responding to requests for help from the quake’s victims.

Between yesterday and today we received 41 requests for volunteer assistance, and 81 volunteers have been mobilized.

"I need some help to fix the roof that has fallen off", "I need help to get to the hospital for my medicine", "While I fix the house I want help with my small children", etc, are some of the requests we receive daily.

Until today, volunteers from outside of the Province where not accepted, and thus, we were unable to respond to many requests for help.

On 23rd of July we expect many volunteers from Kashiwazaki, and we are aiming to respond to all needs with flexibility.

(Above) Matching the needs of the victims with the volunteers is from today being conducted in tents.
(Below) The interior of a collapsed house. Inspections of half and fully collapsed houses were held in Nishiyama. Assistance is urgent.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Account Number: 00170-2-538657
Account Holder: JEN
* Please specify if your donation is for the purpose of assisting the “Chuetsu-oki earthquake emergency”.
=This account is available only in Japan=

JEN to Begin Assistance Operations.

On the 19th of July, JEN carried out inspections in the region struck by the Chuetsu-oki earthquake.

In coordination with the Toka Machi Regional Development Committee (Chairman Mr. Yamamoto), we decided to support the creation of a volunteer center through the Kashiwazaki Social Welfare Confernce in the town of Nishiyama.
　

Our inspections today were carried out at the village of Kariwa, and Nishiyama town, where 1500 and 2000 families live, respectively. The main need in many affected areas is water, which is insufficient for daily purposes and hygiene during this hot season.

The recently created volunteer center of Nishiyama town will mainly respond to the needs of these 2000 families.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Account Number: 00170-2-538657
Account Holder: JEN
* Please specify if your donation is for the purpose of assisting the “Chuetsu-oki earthquake emergency”.
=This account is available only in Japan=

The situation on July 19th

Throughout the morning, Keiko Kiyama (JEN’s Secretary General), Ai Tanaka (Program Officer), and Hiroshi Yamamoto (The Toka Machi Regional Development Committee’s Chairman), assessed the situation in Nagaoka, Kashiwazaki, and Kariwa, and also participated in hearings at the volunteer center.

From this evening they will continue carrying out inspections in unassisted areas.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata. We appreciate your cooperation.

Account Number: 00170-2-538657. Account Holder: JEN
Please specify if your donation is for the purpose of assisting the “Chuetsu-oki earthquake emergency”.
=This account is available only in Japan=

Niigata Chuetsu-oki earthquake: JEN has began local inspections.

JEN has dispatched an inspection team to assess the situation in the region where the Chuetsu- oki earthquake struck on Monday the 16th of July.

<The dispatched officers>
* JEN’s Secretary General: Keiko Kiyama(Ms.)
* JEN's Program Officer: Ai Tanaka (Ms.)
* Inspector cum Chairman of Toka Machi Regional Development Committee: Yamamoto Hiroshi (Mr., - Native of Niigata)

We will carry out the inspections in Kashiwazaki and other areas where emergency assistance is difficult to reach. Then, based on our analysis of the situation, we will use the experience built up over the years in Niigata to provide flexible and appropriate assistance to meet the people’s needs.

JEN is also collecting donations to assist with these emergency efforts in Niigata.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Village Development in Niigata: All volunteers returned home safely

We send our highest regards to the people who suffered the Niigata Chuetsu-oki earthquake.

When the earthquake struck at 10:13 am on the 16th of July, nine volunteers belonging to one of JEN’s programs in the Iketani and Iriyama areas were in the process of learning how to weave “zori” traditional Japanese straw sandals.

Even though the earthquake was quite strong there weren’t any collapsed houses or significant damage, and the villagers and volunteers were unharmed. Services on the local railway; Hokuhoku Line were suspended, so the volunteers were taken to Echigo Yuzawa station, and returned home safely.

The Toka Machi Regional Development Committee’s Chairman, Mr. Yamamoto, assessed the situation at neighboring Iketani and Iriyama, and stated that the damages did not appear to have reached their rice fields, crops or roads.

After we verified the situation at Iketani and Iriyama, we are considering collecting data in the Kashiwazaki region, which suffered the most damage, and looking into the possibility of extending our assistance there.

Village Development in Niigata: Volunteers Wanted!!

Village Development in Niigata: Volunteers Wanted!!

Join in agricultural activities surrounded by the beauty of nature in Iketani village!

■ Schedule in 2007:

(1) April: from Friday, 27 to Monday, 30 (four days)

(2) May: from Thursday, 3 to Sunday, 6 (four days)

(3) May: from Friday, 18 to Sunday, 20 (three days)

(4) June: from Friday, 22 to Sunday, 24 (three days)

(5) July: from Friday, 13 to Monday, 16 (four days)

(6) August: from Friday, 10 to Sunday, 12 (three days)

(7) August: from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 (three days)

(8) September: from Friday, 21to Monday, 24 (four days)

(9) September: from Friday, 28 to Sunday, 30 (three days)

(10) October: from Friday, 26 to Sunday, 28 (three days)

※ Travel fees are at the expense of each participant.

※ Parking for private cars is available in the village.  Car pool among participants is welcome.

■ Activities :

restoring local infrastructure, supporting the livelihoods of the elderly, bush clearing and farming, preparing and participating in community festivals in summer and autumn.

※ Activities depend on the weather and both seasonal and local needs.

■ Number of participants :maximum 15 persons

■ Participation fees : ￥6,000 for three days; ￥8,000 for four days （Kitchen materials included / participants cook in rotation.）
※ Dinner on the first day is excluded.

■ Belongings: cleaning cloths, work gloves (non-slippery), rubber working boots, long-sleeve shirts, a hat, a mask, a raincoat and other clothes for farming activities.
※ Boots can be borrowed in certain conditions.

■ Lodging: Iketani School (Iketani, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata)

■ Deadline for application: Maximum of 15 persons each session (First come, first served).

■ Application :

<1> Download「application_form.doc」をダウンロード   Fill in the form and send it to JEN's Tokyo Headquarters by FAX, E-Mail or Post.

※ Before sending your form, please call JEN to ask about the availability of places, as some sessions may already be full.

<2> JEN will call you back to inform you of bank/postal transfer.

<3> Your reservation will be confirmed after the bank/postal transfer. 

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

■ Meeting time: 19:30

■ Departure from Tokamachi Station: around noon (depending on the day's activities)

■ Meeting point : The West Gate of the Tokamachi Railway Station, Tokamachi City, Niigata.  JR Line and Hokuhoku Line are available.

※ JR Line stops at the East Gate, and Hokuhoku-Line at the West Gate.  Participants coming from JR line should kindly come over to the West Gate.

※ Participants coming by private car kindly park at the station and come up to the West Gate.

Timetable of the Hokuhoku Line ⇒ Click Here　

■ Contact: JEN Tokyo Headquarters (Kakizawa)
TEL：03-5225-9352 / FAX：03-5225-9357

E-mail： info@jen-npo.org 

※ Projects in Niigata are organized in collaboration with the Tokamachi Regional Development Committee.

Family Farming Workshops in Iketani Village, Niigata

Would you like to know how farmers live and work in Iketani,

a small village surrounded by beautiful mountains? 

Why don’t you join our farming workshops, planting in spring, trimming and clearing in summer

or harvesting in autumn?

Local, experienced villagers will give you insight into their daily village life. 

Full board and lodgings are available in the JEN Centre, a former school restored for visitors. 

Together participants cook fresh local vegetables with Uonuma-Koshihikari,

Japan’s best brand rice produced in this region.

■ Spring Session (May, 26 and 27)

Schedule:
Saturday, 26 
- 11:30/ Meet at the Tokamachi Station (JR and the Hokuhoku Line)
- Afternoon/ Rice Planting
Sunday, 27
- Morning/ A look at the natural beauty of the area
- 14:00/ Departure from the Tokamachi Station

■ Participation Fees: 11,000 Yen per person (meals and activities included)
※ Travel fees are at the expense of each participant.
※ Participants cook in rotation.

■ Target: school children (6 to 12 years old) and adults (parents, relatives, teachers, neighbours, etc.)
※ Kindly ask in advance if you would like to bring preschool children.

■ Number of Participants: Maximum 16 people (First come, first served)

■ Application:
<STEP 1> Download the application form.  Fill in the form and send it to JEN’s Tokyo Headquarters by FAX, E-Mail or Post.
※ Before sending your form, please call JEN to ask about the availability of places, as some sessions may already be full.

<STEP 2> JEN will call you back to inform you of bank/postal transfer.

<STEP 3> Your reservation will be confirmed after the bank/postal transfer.

■ Meeting point: The West Gate of the Tokamachi Railway Station, Tokamachi City, Niigata.  You can take either the JR Line or the Hokuhoku Line.
※ The JR Line stops at the East Gate, and the Hokuhoku-Line at the West Gate.  Participants coming from the JR line please come over to the West Gate.
※ Participants coming by private car please park at the station and come to the West Gate.  Car pools among participants are welcome.
Timetable of the Hokuhoku Line ⇒ Click Here　

■ Lodgings: The “JEN Centre” (The Former Iketani School, Tokamachi-shi, Niigata)
Please note that there are no private rooms in the Centre, men, women and children share accommodation.  Sleeping bags are provided.

■ Contact: JEN Tokyo Headquarters (Kakizawa)
TEL：03-5225-9352
FAX：03-5225-9357
E-mail： info@jen-npo.org
※ Projects in Niigata are organized in collaboration with the Tokamachi Regional Development Committee.

-------------------
Here are the dates for the summer and autumn session, however please wait for updates to these workshops on the website:

Summer Session
■Date : August (Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19)
■Activities :  Rice growing, recreational activities (TBC)
■Participation Fees : 15,000 Yen per person
■Number of Participants : Maximum 16 people
   
Autumn Session
■Date : October (Saturday, 6 to Monday, 8)
■Activities : Rice harvesting (TBC)
■Participation Fees : 15,000 Yen per person
■ Number of Participants: Maximum 16 people

Letters to Iketani

Letters arrive in the village of Iketani from around Japan.  People who ordered rice from the village send grateful messages to farmers, sometimes with smiling pictures.  Those warm messages circulate through the village on their community bulletin.  The farmers are delightful to learn that the rice they had raised with the utmost care has brought happiness to people around Japan.

One of the purposes of the direct distribution of rice from Iketani is to create a link between farmers in the small village and people in big cities.  Since January, customers receive not only rice but also “Rice News”, a handmade newsletter from farmers.  Let’s write a letter to the farmers!

Anticipating Local Needs

Spring is approaching day by day in the village of Iketani.  As the thaw set in, people in the village begin to prepare their rice fields.  Their busiest season starts in spring and continues until harvest in autumn.

Having had little snow this winter, people are anticipating water shortage in coming summer when rice thrives the most.  Rice is the greatest treasure of the village.  People are planning to plant rice earlier in order to protect their treasure from any possible damages from the water shortage.

JEN will follow the village’s needs and organize agricultural volunteers flexibly.  In the meantime, JEN is planning to enlarge volunteer activities as “village-revitalizing volunteers”.  The new volunteers would not only participate in agricultural activities in the depopulated village but also reanimate the village’s treasure as whole, such as, beautiful nature, experienced agriculture, and rural history and tradition.  Kindly wait for JEN’s homepage to update for further details about new volunteers!

Snow Busters 2007

  Snow clearance volunteer and homestay in Niigata!

Let’s think about boosting the village economy.

■Date：

①Jan 19(Fri), 2007 – Jan 21(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

②Jan 26(Fri), 2007 – Jan 28(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

③Feb 2(Fri), 2007 – Feb 4(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

④Feb 9(Fri), 2007 – Feb 11(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

⑤Feb 16(Fri), 2007 – Feb 18(Sun)     (2 days and 3 nights)

*The activities may be changed, according to the weather or other conditions.

*Please bear the cost of the traffic expenses to the field.

*You can participate by car. (Helping to drive the other participants is welcomed)

■Accommodation: Homestay at houses in village of Iketani, Niigata

■Maximum of 8 Participants /each

■Participation Fee: 2 days and 3 nights (including 4 meals)/\6,000(First day, dinner will not be provided.)

■What to bring: gloves (waterproof), long boots, outfit for cold weather (waterproof), towels, change of clothes, copy of insurance card.

※Please ask if you need boots.

■Deadline of application：Until spaces are filled.

■     How to Apply:

Step1:

Download an application form and send it to us after filling it out. (FAX, mail, e-mail are available)

※     Spaces may have been filled. Please call us before you send an application.

Step2:

We will then inform you where to make your payment.

Step3:

After we confirm your payment, your application is determined.

■     Meeting Time：19:30 of each start date (Friday)

We will wait for Hokuhoku Line arrive at 19:25 (from Echigo-yuzawa to Naoetsu)

If you are late, please contact us.

You can see the time table of Hokuhoku Line　 http://www.hokuhoku.co.jp

■     Breakup Time：12:00 of each end date (Sunday)

The times may be changed. We offer courtesy car to Tokamachi station.

■Meeting Place/Breakup Place：Tokamachi city, Hokuhoku Line, Tokamachi Station’s West Gate. (Hokuhoku Line’s west exit, JR Line’s east exit)

*If traveling by car, please park in the parking place of west or east exit and come to the Hokuhoku Line’s Gate.

*We are also seeking experienced volunteer registrations in snow clearance for urgent heavy snow. Please let us know if you are interested.

■Inquiries

JEN Tokyo, Kakizawa

TEL:03-5225-9352  FAX:03-5225-9357  E-mail:info@jen-npo.org

*Niigata project is operated by Niigata cooperation of Tokamachi-shi regional development executive committee.

Sweet Potato

From the 14 - 15 of October, 4 employees from Morgan Stanley, a foreign-affiliated company in Tokyo, visited Iketani again since their first visit of 3rd Niigata Agricultural Volunteer Program.

They revisited Iketani to see how big the sweet potatoes grew since last June.

==== Volunteer Information ===

Those who wish to contribute the Earthquake affected people in Iketani, JEN is seeking Volunteer during the winter (Jan 2007 onwards).  

Further inquiries, please send the email to info@jen-npo.org.

It's Brand New!

Branch school in Iketani had renovated!

JEN center in Iketani branch school “Yama-no-manabiya” has renovated with assistance by donation of Japan Post. 

The roof of bathroom with broken eave because of snow has repaired and decrepit (almost decomposed!) floor of toilet and fluorescent light fittings has changed. We moved a step closer to recovery of the school.

We will continue improving the branch school and we wish more volunteers visit Iketani.

Fireflies at Iketani

    The fourth round of Niigata volunteer activity was held from July 14 to July 17 for four days and three nights. In spite of the continuous rain for four days, all of the participants succeeded in finishing the planned practices well, feeling full of health.

    They burned lumber and pieces of furniture in order to dispose of collapsed houses as well as cut grass, cleaned up the fallen trees in the rain. Everyone did work getting sweaty because of an extremely hot fire.

    There were also held so many events such as a watermelon splitting, a barbecue and appreciation of fireflies in addition to agricultural tasks!

    At the third night they communicated with the locals until midnight, drinking tasteful Japanese sake together.

    The four people of the twelve participants have applied again to the volunteer activities within the year. Everyone seemed to be fascinated by appeal of Iketani! 

Multicultural Volunteers

   "Back then, we used to deliberately leave the roads in gravel to prevent outsiders from coming in. Today, we have volunteers coming to help from all over the world, and I feel I need to adjust my way of thinking to today's flow. Iketani has become international now, too."

    This is what one Iketani villager told us during the 3rd Niigata Agriculture Volunteer Program.

    From the 2-4 of June, 15 employees from a foreign-affiliated company in Tokyo engaged in volunteer activities at Iketani.

    Accepting such participants was a first for both JEN and the people at Iketani. American, Indian, and Romanian nationals helped plant rice seedlings, as well as 7000 seedlings of sweet potatoes. The participants worked at an unbelievable pace, completing work that would usually take 2-3 days for the elderly villagers, in a mere half day.

    Said one participant, sharing a bottle of sake with a villager: "Iketani is such a special place. This was the most fun weekend I have spent since coming to Japan-I definitely want to come back."

Delicious Rice, Delivered to Your Doorstep!

Earthquake Disaster Reconstruction & Village Development Support
The Chance to have Iketani & Iriyama grown Koshihikari Rice

Koshihikari rice grown with much care and attention, using springwater from the hills of Iketani & Iriyama. We will deliver them, freshly milled, right to your doorstep.

■Price
Yearly Contract: Monthly delivery between 2006.10～2007.9 (total 12 times)
3kg x 12 months ＝ 36kg (Yearly Contract Amount: 31,000 yen including shipping)
5kg x 12 months ＝ 60kg (Yearly Contract Amount: 45,300 yen including shipping)

Non-Contract Purchases
3kg (2600 yen including shipping)
5kg (3800 yen including shipping)

The shipping costs shown above covers the South Tohoku, Kanto, Shinetsu, Hokuriku, and Chubu areas.
The below areas will be charged an additional fee as follows:
Hokkaido: 545 yen, North Tohoku (Aomori, Iwate & Akita): 105 yen, Kansai: 105 yen, Chugoku: 210 yen, Shikoku: 435 yen, Kyushu: 545 yen, Okinawa: 1,045 yen.

For further information concerning costs, please download OkomePrice.pdf

■Subscription

Please download the application form from 「Moshikomi.pdf」をダウンロード , and fax it to the below number after filling it out. We will then inform you where to make your payment. Payment is required in advance. We will consider the contract complete once we have confirmed the payment. Please be aware that due to limited supply, there may be shortage of stock.

■Inquiries
Niigata Prefecture Tokamachi Regional Development Committee (Ito)
FAX: 025-759-2558
TEL: 080-6608-2558(Japanese only)
Hours: 10:00～18:00 (Accessible on Weekends and Holidays)

Onigiri from Iketani

     On the 14th of June, some locals from the Iketani and Iriyama districts, where our Niigata projects are currently located, came to visit us at the JEN headquarters in Tokyo.

     It turns out that they woke up at 5 in the morning, cooked 7.5kg (!) of rice, and made it into more than 100 onigiris, just for us JEN staff. On top of all the onigiri, they brought us dishes of wild vegetables and Japanese pickles, all made from ingredients taken from the hills of Iketani and Iriyama. Everything was delicious-what seemed like an infinite amount of food vanished down the staff's bellies in no time.

    A big thank you for all who made today such a wonderful day!

　Join now! Volunteer in Niigata

Volunteer in Niigata

-Disaster reconstruction and regional development assistance-

On October 23 2004, the Great Chu-Etsu Earthquake devastated Niigata prefecture.

To respond to the emergency, JEN has been conducting earthquake disaster reconstruction and regional development projects in the city of Tokamachi. 

In the winter, JEN recruits snow removal volunteers.  Between spring and autumn, JEN sends farm work volunteers to Tokamachi.

JEN has been sending farm work volunteers to Iketani settlement in Tokamachi.  Iketani is a beautiful rice terrace village, but has a serious depopulation problem.  The assistance of farm work by volunteers from all over Japan will help, not only reconstruct earthquake damages, but also revitalize the region. 

Volunteers will stay at the Iketani branch school, which was repaired in 2005 by volunteers and residents, after having been closed for 20 years.

Iketani is beautiful and a region full of nature、Join us and have a great experience!

■Date：

* Thank you for your interest. This year's volunteer sessions are over.  We will soon kick off JEN Snowbusters 2007!!*

May 2(Tue), 2006 – May 6(Sat)     (4 days and 5 nights)

May 19(Fri), 2006 – May 21(Sun)  (2 days and 3 nights)

June 2(Fri), 2006 – June 4(Sun)      (2 days and 3 nights) 

July 14(Fri), 2006 – July 17(Mon, holiday)

                                                            (3 days and 4 nights)

Aug. 4(Fri), 2006 – Aug. 6(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Sep. 22(Fri), 2006 – Sep. 24(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Sep. 29(Fri), 2006 – Oct. 1(Sun)    (2 days and 3 nights)

Oct. 6(Fri), 2006 – Oct. 9(Mon, holiday)      

                                                            (3 days and 4 nights)         

Nov. 2(Thu), 2006 – Nov. 5(Sun)  (3 days and 4 nights)

※Please bear the cost of the traffic expenses to the field.

※You can participate by car. (Helping to drive the other participants is welcomed)

■Meeting Place/Breakup Place：Tokamachi city, Hokuhoku Line, Tokamachi Station’s Gate. (Hokuhoku Line’s west exit, JR Line’s east exit)

※If traveling by car, please park in the parking place of west or east exit and come to the Hokuhoku Line’s Gate.

You can see the time table of Hokuhoku Line　 http://www.hokuhoku.co.jp

■Meeting Time：19:30 of each start date

■Breakup Time：12:00 of each end date

※The times may be changed.

■Activities：Clean up Iketani branch school, repair the farm road, plant and harvest rice, cut grass, prepare and participate in events like harvest festival, develop relationships with local residents. Communal lodging at Iketani branch school.

※The activities may be changed, according to the weather or other conditions.

■Maximum of 15 Participants /each

■Participation Fee：2 days and 3 nights /\6,000、3 days and 4 nights /\7,000、4 days and 5 nights /\8,000 (including food cost. Please cook in rotations) (First day, dinner will not be provided.)

■What to bring： Sleeping bag、dustcloth (for cleaning up branch school)、cotton gloves（non-slippery）、long boots (for rice-farming work)、long sleeve shirt、cap、mask (for dusting)、rain coat、etc.

※Please ask if you need boots and sleeping bag rental.

■Deadline of application：Until spaces are filled.

■How to Apply：Please contact us via telephone or Email. We will provide you with an application form.

JEN Tokyo, Niigata project officer TEL：03-5225-9352 E-mail：info@jen-npo.org Web: www.jen-npo.org

※Niigata project is operated by Niigata cooperation of Tokamachi-shi regional development executive committee.

“JEN Snowbusters 2006” Draws to an End

The last of the “JEN Snowbusters 2006” was carried out on February 17-19, with a total of 11 participants including seven high school students.

  On the first day and a half, we went to the Kotsunagi district, a place within the Tokamachi area known for particularly heavy snow. There we cleared snow from a shrine and three houses.

The Kotsunagi district, which was close to the epicenter, suffered especially extensive damage within the Tokamachi area. Since the soil foundation of the district has all but collapsed, it is said that the buildings will never be safely livable again. Therefore, many of the houses have been or will be taken down. Furniture that will not fit into the temporary housings however, have been left inside the houses lived in prior to the quake, and thus clearing snow from residential areas holds a vital meaning for the residents.

  We have heard that due to this year’s heavier than average snowfall, there have already been seven snow clearing sessions. Even the snow around their own houses proved almost too much for the residents to clear; the district shrine was simply unmanageable. Centering around the seven high school students and their teacher, the “snowbusters” were able to clear snow from the shrine as well as two of the resident’s houses, and their work was greatly appreciated by the local people.

  The high school students still seemed to have, unbelievably, energy leftover after the snow clearing had been completed, and enjoyed engaging in a wild snow fight.

A total of 48 volunteers from all around the country participated in the “JEN Snowbusters 2006.”

Last of all, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all volunteers, the members of the Tokamachi Regional Development Committee, the residents’ association of the Nakajo temporary housings, and the Tokamachi Welfare Council.