The Japan Times published a story today featuring trainee accountant Luke Dunn, a former Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme participant from London, who flew out to Iwate Prefecture in the wake of March 11’s earthquake and tsunami to assist with relief efforts.
According to the Japan Times interview, Dunn taught English in the town of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture between 2005 and 2007. He commented that: “I love Miyako. It feels like kind of a second home to me. I wanted to help if I could… These are my friends, ex-colleagues, and family.”
The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme was established in 1987 with the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the people of Japan and the people of other nations. It aims to promote internationalisation in Japan’s local communities by helping to improve foreign language education and developing international exchange at a community level.
Both current participants and the JET Alumni Associations around the world have been pouring their efforts into relief for the tsunami and earthquake. JETAA UK have been organising charity events up and down the country, including charity karaoke, pub quizzes and a raffle which is open to anyone for five pounds a ticket.
