Featuring

Tohoku Tomo is 60 minutes in length, with English Audio and Japanese subtitles. The film was released on March 12th, 2014 and features interviews with:

Cameron Peek

Cameron Peek

United Sports Foundation

 
Canon Purdy

Canon Purdy

SaveMiyagi.org

Brian, Jason, and Galileo

Brian, Jason, and Galileo

Eyes for Fukishima

Etsuko Nakamura

Etsuko Nakamura

TokyoFoodCast

Jane Suh

Jane Suh

It's Not Just Mud volunteer

 Kristine Miller and Jon Hoi

Kristine Miller and Jon Hoi

Co-directors, Volunteer Akita

Luke Happle

Luke Happle

former Miyagi Prefectural Advisor (JET Program)

Maynard Plant

Maynard Plant

Monkey Majik

Minami Ishikawa

Minami Ishikawa

Co-founder, Volunteer Akita

Stu Levy

Stu Levy

Director, Pray for Japan

Takeno Suziki

Takeno Suziki

Coordinator for International Relations, Miyagi Prefecture

Troy Weisner

Troy Weisner

JET Program

The Great East Japan Earthquake

 On March 11, 2011, while the rest of the world watched, much of the northern coast was washed away by the massive tsunami, triggered by a 9.0 earthquake.The tragedy was devastating to Tohoku, Japan, and the entire world. People lost loved ones, their homes, and even their way of life. Now, nearly three years later, while the world’s attention may have moved on, the people of Japan are still struggling to pull their communities back together.

The Story

In the months after the disaster, countless volunteers rallied from around the world and came to Japan’s aid to help begin the long process of rebuilding. Whether by donating money, organizing events, or coming to volunteer, these individuals showed they truly care about Japan and about the people of Tohoku.

This is their story.

The Film

In March 2013, Wesley Julian launched and successfully funded a Kickstarter campaign to create Tohoku Tomo — a  documentary film telling the story of true friendship and commitment to Japan’s recovery by the international community following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Julian and a small team traveled across the United States and Japan to interview individuals who have made and continue to make a difference in Tohoku.

Many of these people dropped what they were doing and dedicated themselves to Japan’s recovery. Many of them even took it upon themselves to establish non-profit organizations aimed at connecting with and rebuilding Tohoku and its communities. At the core of all of these organizations are individuals. Many of these groups were founded by members of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET Program). What started as a love of Japan through teaching blossomed into a true friendship and commitment to the Tohoku region. These founders and many other volunteers have truly become friends of Tohoku. They are, in Japanese, Tohoku Tomo.

The Team