On March 5th we featured an article on John Lofgren from Speedway
www.speedway-shop.com
Speedway on eBay
An American in Japan... A Japanese clothier of American Vintage Reproduction apparel. John has already donated some things to people that have been devastated in the earthquake / tsunami. I encourage you to spend a little bit of money with them, even if it's the least expensive item on his online store, every little bit helps. I myself recently ordered some Feather Razors ( http://www.feather.co.jp/eBarber.htm ) for my safety razor from ebay (see where the origin is from before you buy)
It doesn't just help our friends or loved ones but it also can do it's part to stabilize the stock market and the Japanese economy.
In an interview in The Fresno Bee (http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/03/14/2309767/sendai-survivor-qa-with-kingsburg.html ) John states that his store is up and running.
One of the best things John said in our article is this: "Producing our items in Japan ensures a high level of quality and the customer can rest assure that no child or slave labor is used. Every person involved in making my brand is paid a fair living wage. The end result means less monetary profit for myself, but it really isn't just about making money, right? If my small company keeps skilled people working, food on a person's table, rents covered and loans being paid off, how is that not a wonderful profit?" -John Lofgren
So you see you don't just help the man in the front but you help the people behind the scenes as well.
here is a link with a translated version of the speedway shop:
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.speedway-shop.com%2F
Please see the March 5th article on Speedway if your not convinced "Cream of the Crop - An American in Japan"
If your CD collection is a little old... Buy a CD from On The Hill Records out of Japan.
http://www.onthehillrecords.com/
Or Donate:
AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate here.
GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.
SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.
SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. Donate here.
AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.
CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.
SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. Donate here.
BOJ has already expanded their QE program from 5 to 10 Trillion Yen (120billion), to have the scale of QE 2 in the US, they need to implement the full size 30 Trillion Yen. As the government already indebted up to 200% of GDP, they are treading a fine line going forward. Japanese corporate, government and individuals own up to 850 billion worth US Treasuries. If they need to dip into their savings for reconstruction. Keep an eye for the yield curve on US debts.
ReplyDeleteBank of Japan Policy options