Japan Disaster Awareness Week Slated at UMBC

A series of events at UMBC are scheduled to begin this week to remember and support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated large areas of Japan.

"There are old people who have been saved from the disaster, but are dying because they are not getting enough food and water," said Constantine Vaporis, director of the university's newly created Asian Studies program. "It's difficult to understand how that could be happening in a place like Japan."

Japanese Disaster Awareness Week, scheduled from March 30 to April 6, will include events and memorials to allow the community to honor the memories of victims and help support relief efforts.

Tuesday, March 29. to Friday, April 1
Origami Rose Keychain Fundraiser. The Japanese Culture Club will be offering origami rose keychains for donations to Japan Disaster relief. These can be put on cellphones, keys or backpacks to raise awareness and support for those suffering in Japan. The red roses symbolize that there can and will be re-growth from a shattered Japan. Location: University Commons, 12-1 p.m.

Friday, April 1
Help Japan! Arcade Day. UMBC Japanese Culture Club sponsors an "arcade day" to help raise money for the Sendai Earthquake/tsunami relief. For a donation, you can play a timed round of popular Wii and Xbox360 games. Location: Main Street, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Moment of Silence. Location: University Commons, noon.

Wednesday, April 6
Music for Japan Concert. Sponsored by the UMBC Department of Music. Location:  Recital Hall (FA 118) 6-6:50 p.m.

Lecture: Earthquakes, Tsunami and “Meltdowns”—Japan’s Black Swan? Presented by professor of history Kate Brown and professor of Asian atudies/history Constantine Vaporis. Sponsored by UMBC Asian Studies Program and Department of History. Location: Recital Hall (FA 118), 7-8 p.m.