On the Provision of 500 Meals of Bangladeshi Curry (Jotaro Kato)

Jotaro Kato (Representative Director, A. P. F. S.)

At A. P. F. S., we are engaged in our activities under the ideology of “crossing borders and living together”. This activity was exactly what A. P. F. S. is trying to achieve.

This project became reality from the strong desire of Mr. Hassan (Bangladeshi origin), one of our directors that he wanted to “help regardless of country of origin”. There was this tremendous pressure from him (J), so the project to distribute 500 meals of Bangladeshi curry came to form with a surprising speed. According to the schedule, we had the planning and started with coordinating on March 24^th (Thu), the final decision and preparations were made on March 25^th (Fri), we left on March 26^th (Sat) and the distribution itself took place on March 27^th (Sun). I have to think again that we could realize this project in such a short period of time only because we are an NGO/NPO.

First of all Mr. Hassan and Mrs. Hitomi Katsuta, people at Padma (an Italian & Bangladeshi restaurant) made the preparations without any sleep and rest. Their teamwork and enthusiasm was really something.

Further on, this project came to life thanks to a friendship from my student years. Ms. Tomoe Mega, an employee of Iwate Prefecture made all kinds of coordination locally. Ms. Mega is a former classmate of mine from college when I studied international relations. On the 25^th (Fri) I was on the phone with her almost the whole day. She responded to our wishes, so coordination was probably difficult but she kept her smile till the end. I am truly grateful to her.

I took the liberty to walk around the evacuation shelter and talk to disaster victims.

○ An old lady whose husband was taken by the waves but tries to survive with all her heart up to his share as well.

○ A junior high school student who rushed all the way from Hokkaido to help his or her disaster stricken relatives.

○ Members of the town association who are working night and day devoted to the people of the community even if they were hit by the disaster themselves.

Probably it is very difficult for them now but they still communicated with us as hard as they could.

It is said that life at the shelter is stressful but people were cooperating, making a circle and comforting each other. I felt the strength of the citizens of Ofunato. They can recover for sure. That is what I thought. By the time I realized, I was encouraged myself.

At the end of our curry distribution, I naturally muttered the following words to everyone. “At the time of this national disaster, all of us have to join forces. Tokyo is also making efforts. Let us work on it together.” Problems faced by Tokyo such as the nuclear plant crisis, the planned power outage and the buying up panic are not small either. However, I strongly think that we must not forget about Tohoku which suffered the most damage.

I believe what we need now is the idea of “crossing borders and living together”. There are those like Mr. Hassan who thinks of Japan like no one else does. If we end now, then it was merely for our self satisfaction. We will think and carry out what A. P. F. S. can do next.

“Originally Ofunato is very beautiful. You have to come after we recovered.” Many people told us so. It made my feelings stronger to go back for sure.

On the Provision of 500 Meals of Bangladeshi Curry (Hitomi Katsuta)

Hitomi Katsuta (A. P. F. S. / Padma)

Including me, I think people who watch TV in Tokyo all have an urge to “do something (go to the site and help)” but it cannot be realized so easily. If you are in Tokyo you feel awfully worthless. You do not know what you should do. I am grateful that I had the chance to go like this.

- Were preparations difficult?

It was a great amount, there was simply no time (departure was decided on March 25^th and we left on March 26^th) and the circulation of goods is also limited, so the preparation of ingredients was quite difficult. It was difficult for me but there are other people who are in much more trouble than me, so it was not such a big deal. However, if it had been an ordinary (for-profit) event or job, I think I could not have done it.

- How did you felt after departure until you arrived to the site?

A part of me was excited. It was a long drive but my body did not get tired. Though, I was worried because of the fuel (limited supply), because we were heavily loaded and the road was bad. I was also worried because if we had not made it (to the site) in time, it would have been a big inconvenience to the locals.

- What did you feel when you saw the state of the disaster on site?

Although I had seen the circumstances on TV every day, when I saw it in real … how should I put it … what was it … what can I say … it was shocking. We only think that it must be difficult but people on the site have lost everything they had put together until now through their life, they have to clean up and secure a home for themselves. I think it is a task what makes one wonder. I might not be of great help but I thought if there was anything I could do.

- Your biggest impression from the site?

The mutual helping spirit of local people. In Tokyo, we complain about the buying up of water or that “there is no rice” or that “there is no milk”. For example, there is no water there either, still if they (people on the water supply truck) say that “I give you two bottles of water”, locals help each other by saying “one bottle is enough, give it to others”; it was very impressive. Meanwhile, Tokyo feels like a contest (for goods). I was deeply moved by this mutual help (on the site). For example, I felt grateful for the welcoming attitude of people there when they gave us pocket warmers, shio-musubi (salty rice balls) and seagull eggs at the shelter. It was rather us who were encouraged and supported by them.

- Message to the citizens of Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture

Even if there were oil stoves, the gym’s floor was very cold. Already two weeks have passed, so the initial excitement was over too and fatigue is supposed to start to kick in, still, even if this all happened, most of the locals are thinking positively, so I want them to go on and hope that I was a little bit of help. I think they are all very humble (towards supporters), so I think they could as well complain more.

- What would you like to do in the future?

We see it every day on TV but I could go right to the site and look at the circumstances, so I think it is up to me to tell others here what I saw, heard or felt. Now, I have put up a photograph (in the restaurant I manage) and whenever I speak to the customers they want to hear about it. If only I could somewhat communicate it to people here. If I had the chance, I would like to provide meals again too.

One year after the death of Mr. Suraj

With March 22^nd, exactly one year has passed since Mr. Suraj died during deportation last year.

I knew him only for a short while but even I could not help but remember him. His wife probably recalls this one year together with a great number of other memories.

In my memory, Mr. Suraj talked peacefully with his wife even when it was during the visiting hours at his detention. He was always worried about his wife’s health and handed her letters written in Japanese. This scene reflected well their long and harmonious relationship.

The photograph is from a gathering held on March 22^nd where his wife and friends commemorated him. I think it is a wonderful picture.

* The scheduled submission of demand letters to the Chiba District Attorney’s office was delayed. We still need your support to the collection of demand letters（http://apfs.jp/eng/event20110323_881.php). If the new submission day is decided on, we will let you know either at this BLOG or on the APFS homepage.

A march for Mr. Suraj!

Today from twelve o’clock, we marched in Shibuya to demand a swift prosecution by trial in the case of Mr. Suraj and to let ordinary people know about it.

In the warm and sunny weather, altogether almost seventy participants from various countries such as Japan, the USA, Pakistan and Iran took part. During the march, we handed out flyers to passers-by and felt a good response. We had spontaneous participants and donations to the Suraj Fund etc., so it turned out to be a successful march…

This time, a friend of Mr. Suraj took the microphone and the lead making appeals. At APFS, we support all kinds of foreign migrants but it is always most inspiring when their friends broaden the circle of support. Together with Mr. Suraj’s wife, his friends and a team of lawyers working on the case, APFS will continue its efforts to unravel the truth about Mr. Suraj’s case!

“Suraj Case Report” at the Chiba District Attorney’s Office & On a march

Regarding Mr. Suraj’s case, we reported here too that the documents of ten immigration employees were sent to the district attorney’s office. Almost two months have passed since then but there are no developments… At APFS, together with Mr. Suraj’s wife and a team of lawyers engaged in the case, we went to the Chiba District Attorney’s Office under such circumstances to inquire about the proceedings (however since it was only allowed to her and her attorney, APFS could not attend). Mr. Murakami, the prosecutor working on the case, informed us but conclusively no new information or future outlook was revealed. The reason was that it is too early for that. We are really sorry that the office does not seem to feel the urge in comparison with cases where they restrain suspects. We are planning to make an appeal to the district attorney’s office for swift prosecution by trial soon.

It will be one year after Mr. Suraj’s death next month. If we are asked how many people know about the case (even if they know about it, most people do not know what followed), we only feel worthless as the support organization.

On March 6^th, to let many people know about Mr. Sura’s case, we will hold a march with Mr. Suraj’s wife and his friends according to the following (we have announced it on the APFS homepage too). Please participate if you can!

Date & time: March 6^th (Sun) 2011, 12:00-14:00 (uncertain for the ending)

Place: from Jingu-dori Park (10 minutes on foot from the East Gate of Shibuya station, next to Miyashita Park)

Mr. SURAJ’S Case Sent to the Prosecutor: Press Conference

 

Since the documents of ten immigration employees were sent to the prosecutor’s office at the end of the year, a press conference was held from 5:15 PM, January 11th by Mr. SURAJ’s widow, the lawyers association working on the case and APFS. It may be a little odd to hold a conference following the sending of the documents. However, since there have been no developments in the case for nine months, we fear that the case will be forgotten, so we decided to hold the conference.

Mr. SURAJ’s widow said that she is happy with the fact itself that the case was sent to the prosecutor’s office, but she also expressed her discontent over the prolonged investigation. Furthermore, during questioning by the police she was persistently asked if Mr. SURAJ had any preexisting condition and she felt the intent of the police to stress that the reason for Mr. SURAJ’s death might have been a chronic illness.

Additionally, the lawyers association reported that at the end of the year they were kept waiting for more hours during the preservation of the evidence at the Ministry of Justice (preserving evidence such as the videotape taken at Mr. SURAJ’s deportation so that it would not be disposed of or altered). Suddenly the appointment itself was postponed (it is quite illogical to postpone in case of preservation of evidence) and finally only half of the requested evidence were handed over.

There are many obstacles, but we believe that the truth will be recovered and continue with or activities. We trust in your continuous concern and support.

Case Sent to the Prosecutor’s Office

There were some developments in the case of Mr. SURAJ.

Nine months have passed since Mr. SURAJ (Ghana nationality) died during deportation in March. Half a year after we filed our complaint in June, the report of ten Immigration Bureau employees was sent to the Chiba District Prosecutor’s Office on December 27th under suspicion of “assault and cruelty resulting in death by special public officials”.

On December 28th, it appeared in several forums of the Japanese media.

Tokyo Shinbun page 25 (a fairly big article)

Web articles in Asahi, Yomiuri, Sankei
http://www.asahi.com/national/update/1228/TKY201012280141.html　
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20101228-OYT1T00303.htm
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/affairs/crime/101228/crm1012281120006-n1.htm

Although the investigation was prolonged and there have been almost no movements recently, there seem to be some real developments in 2011 to recover the truth. We hope that we can expect our reader’s interest and support in the future too.