It is human nature as individuals to seek one’s own
”
space
”
when solitude and a quiet place is needed from the hectic pace
of California’s multi-tasking lifestyle.
Dear Editor,
It is human nature as individuals to seek one’s own “space” when solitude and a quiet place is needed from the hectic pace of California’s multi-tasking lifestyle. With over 163,000 square miles for 37 million people of California, finding a personal sanctuary is rarely problem.
However, in Japan with 20,000 square miles less than California but with four times the population, the Japanese have had to devise another means to create one’s own “space.”
The Japanese have created over centuries a complex system of organization and cultural rules which defines invisible barriers which they politely observe as this need for one’s space is an essential human social requirement.
In California, it is common for Japanese- American organizations to each have a defined “territory” … only a few of these organizations bridge overlapping territories – clearly a carryover from their cultural past.
Thus, it is amazing that despite each of these Japanese-American organizations and churches having their own in-house Japan earthquake relief fundraisers, they have all banded together to support a Morgan Hill Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser on Saturday, April 30 at the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center at 16450 Murphy Ave.
These include the San Francisco-based Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, the Silicon Valley Japanese American Citizen’s League, the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, West Valley JACL, Wesley United Methodist Church San Jose, San Jose JACL, Salinas Buddhist Church, Santa Cruz/Monterey JACL, San Jose’s Yu-Ai Kai, and the Watsonville Buddhist Church. Also participating are Morgan Hill’s Service Group, Morgan Hill Buddhist Building Board, the Morgan Hill Buddhist Community Center and Gilroy’s JAC. Never before have had even a few of these groups banded together for an event.
This particular Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser is also unique in that it will be providing to the general public an opportunity to participate in an environmentally welcomed manner by recycling unwanted electronic and e-waste items.
In addition to welcoming the entire general public to recycle their unwanted electronic and e-wastes, donations will be accepted at the event or by mailing in advance c/o Dr. Hatakeyama, 370 W. Dunne Ave Ste #3, Morgan Hill, CA. 95037. Checks can be made out to: Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund or the Hongwangi Earthquake Relief Fund.
The Japan Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Committee includes Morgan Hill residents Jon Hatakeyama, Rosemary Kamei and Paul Yoshikawa along with Gilroy’s Mary Ann Mukai, Alan Obata and Harry Yamane. For information, please contact Jon Hatakeyama and/or Don Nguyen at 779-7391. For questions regarding the E-waste recycling process, contact John Varella, Director of Business Development, Pacific Corporate Solutions at 218.9174.
Jon Hatakeyama on behalf of the committee,
Morgan Hill
