Upper school members of the Japanese National Honor Society (JNHS) recently held a fundraiser, at which they sold takoyaki (a Japanese snack), candies and shaved ice, to raise money to help Tohoku earthquake survivors rebuild their lives. Students raised $223.98 in the sale, which was held after school in late February.

“The JNHS students worked really hard on the fundraiser during Japan Week. They practiced making takoyaki during a long lunch prior to the event in my classroom,” said Yumiko Aridomi, JNHS advisor and upper school Japanese language teacher.

Aridomi, who was born and raised in Osaka, Japan, recalled how the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami created both a humanitarian and economic crises in Japan, with over 300,000 refugees in the region.  

In addition to the fundraiser, Aridomi reported that some students in her Japanese program participated in the Tohoku Update project to further support relief efforts. Called “Tohoku Update 2015, The Next Generation,” the program has been sponsored by the Japanese American Museum in San Jose for the past four years since disaster struck.

During the program, several groups of students from Tohoku paired with high school students from Harker, Los Gatos High School and the Wesley Church to work on projects to help bring awareness and tourism back to the Tohuku region. The event featured student presentations and an interactive Q&A session, with the Tohoku groups being included live via Skype.  

The JNHS recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement and excellence in Japanese study by working with teachers and administrators to develop and maintain high standards of Japanese language education and by promoting cultural activities.