Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on June 2012

More than a year after the March 11 disaster, clean-up efforts are still going on in the most affected areas. Japanese NGO Peace Boat has been working tirelessly to bring volunteers from Tokyo on a regular basis and they are looking for more people to help. Japanese ability is a plus, but not required. Volunteers will team up with locals to clean houses and roads, regenerate factories and shops, and help rebuild fishing and farming facilities. A minimum one-week stay is required, but transportation and common housing are supplied. Buses leave Tokyo on Friday night and volunteers are asked to give ¥1,000 (students) and ¥5,000 (non-students) for bus transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki, food, accommodation, and rental of work equipment. Jessica Ocheltree

http://peaceboat.jp/relief/volunteer

One of Prime Minister Noda’s more controversial policies—the consumption tax hike—is the core subject of Richard Katz’s speech on Japan’s current economic and political prospects. Katz, editor of The Oriental Economist Report, will be arguing that Japan does not face any immediate crises of the Greek sort, though he will be outlining the problems with the Noda administration’s approach to debt management. The lecture, which will be given in English, is a rare opportunity to hear one of the leading authorities on the Japanese economy speak in public. Alex Dudok deWit

Temple University, Japan Campus, Mita Hall 502/503. Jun 29, 7pm (listing).