This is my journey as an E-commerce Consultant
Rakuten/Japan
My Time in Ishinomaki-Shi – Entering the MAD house
91 days
On the Saturday I arrived too late to go out with the volunteers so I familiarised myself with the Its not just mud ‘bubble wrap chic’ house that I would be staying in for 5 days.
I had my first experience of an onsen (a temporary onsen which equated to a large paddling pool in a shed). It was free, spine tinglingly hot and well you had to get neekid in front of people! (same sex of course)
As it was the weekend there were lots of volunteers and remembering names was difficult, or in most cases just not done! A fantastic spread was put on my the INJM chefs as always. As a general rule a donation of 500y per night is appreciated in the INJM house to pay for food and heating. Also helping with the chores. I find it strange being not of domesticated blood, what to actually volunteer to do round the INJM house. However, washing up after dinner is a good staple, and you will be asked if further help is needed.
Sunday we traveled out to Ayukawa. The March 11 tsunami that slammed into Japan’s northeast coast took most of Ayukawa with it, destroying 80 percent of houses and leaving 400 of its 1,400 residents unaccounted for. Above where we where working on debris clearance there was a combini (like a co-op) with help in English and kanji still on the carpark. You just can’t imagine.
We worked with around 200 volunteers that day 
Looking out towards the sea
This used to be homes.
and of course we all need to eat
The other team that went out from the house cleaned around a huge effigy of a can of whale meat that was displaced during the tsunami. It is being left in place as a reminder for the people of Ishinomaki.
I help the guys from Its not just mud maintain their website but they are also looking for sponsorship if any company wants to add to their corporate social responsibly, especially if you have a client base in Japan. They also help regenerate business in the area.
Get in touch!
My Time in Ishinomaki-shi – Introduction and the trip down…
141 days
by Liz
in Rakuten/Japan
When I decided to volunteer in Japan the most often asked question was WHY?!!
‘You’re so far away?’
I know..
‘Japan is the third largest economy, they can afford it’
Really?
‘Then why?!!?’
Why do we do anything? I could not put my reasons into words, however many times I was asked. I can even now only describe it as a ‘pull of humanity’
I felt the need to help, so I did.
I saved for 6 months to be able to join the volunteer effort, I thank those who donated to my cause but 90% of the funds came from my own pocket. I knew this would be the case so I planned a rough date in November to fly over.
My friend Sheila was key in my effort, without her I would have been stuck as there are no guides to HOW you volunteer. She is very active in the relief effort, housing volunteers and volunteering herself with various Christian and smaller volunteer groups.
I came to find that the small groups in Ishinomaki are making a big difference to lives.They don’t get the praise, donations and media hype they deserve. They are the hidden diamonds.
I travelled down with a Christian group called Kurume Bible Fellowship (KBF), a Christian group who have gone to Ishinomaki almost every weekend since the disaster. On this trip they were distributing heaters for the coming winter, and working with Samaritans Purse on construction projects.
We left from Hibarigaoka at 10pm the Friday night and arrived in Ishinomaki for about 7am.
As you approach Ishinomaki you see the gradual increase in devastation, like driving into a apocalypse fantasy game on the PS3.
The whole bus was quiet, a few gasps as we passed piles of rusty cars and steel building supports bent over sideways by the force of the water. We stopped at a shrine to pay respects for a short time and to take in the landscape from outside the bus.
This was my reason.
We then had breakfast and delivered some heaters
(image owned by KBF Tohoku Relief Team)
The winters in Japan are harsh and Japanese houses do not have central heating. Heaters are essential for living in the region, and with little money and struggling industry local people are faced with choices. Food or buy a heater?
After this I was dropped off at my destination…the It’s Not Just Mud madhouse.
Part 2 coming soon!
*If you want to volunteer from the UK and need advice just comment below and I will give it gladly.
Fresh back from Japan..(ish) and ready for a great 2012
148 days
Well, hisashiburi desu! (it has been a while in Japanese)
I have had a very busy e-commerce 2011. The economy has taken a bashing but online things are still hotting up! The world is our oyster online with the expansion of social commerce and like many sellers looking out to Europe and beyond is the key to success.
This year as been the year for international expansion for my sellers and myself. Most of my eBay clients are moving into France, Germany and the USA as a minimum. Most are going much further.
To stay ahead of the game as always, I am looking into the Asian markets. Strong currency in these countries suddenly makes buying stuff from Europe side cheap and boy is it TRENDY!
While I was in Japan (business and volunteering) I saw that the union jack was EVERYWHERE on clothing, accessories in shops and on the people walking past. It was very surreal.
Language is no longer a barrier. Improvements in translation engines have made things easier.
For a year or two I have bought from Rakuten and Yahoo Auctions Japan (though a shopping service) and each time it gets a bit easier. For instance Japanese sellers are more interested in international trade, probably due to economic conditions in their own countries and better support networks.
So as my clients are expanding in to Europe, Australia and America in the next few years, I will get ready for the expansion east by building relationships, language skills, cultural/business skills and finding sensible solutions.
Oh yeah, and prepare for Widshops…oh yes….eBay design mark deux….
and a picture from my volunteering in Ishinomaki!
Fixing a shrine gate in Onasaki
Onasaki – Rebuilding houses, reflooring, clearing out garbage and putting a shrine gate back up.
Place was completely flooded – government is not restoring electricity and water.
On the way in we passed the shrine at Okawa Elementary School, the team had worked on the clearance of the area so stopped to pay resepect and see the progress – it was completely destroyed, killing 75 of 108 students and 10 of 13 teachers and staff. The teachers and students were evacuating from the school and were swept away by the tsunami while crossing a nearby river bridge.
You could see the part of the bridge ripped out by the tsunami still in the river.
Iokei.com, once a random 5 letter domain now a place to make a difference
340 days
by Liz
in Rakuten/Japan
Well, take a look: iokei.com and help me with my MISSION!
Well, I have finally done it. A way to chart my fundraising progress, blog about the trip and thank everyone who donates. Sometimes you wonder what happens to money you donate to disaster relief funds, I know I do. However , this is a rare opportunity to directly donate money so I, a human who can individually chart the experience can volunteer to help with the mass clean up needed in Japan.
The trip will cost roughly £1200 and I am fundraising 50% of this cost and fronting the other 50% myself. Any extra donated to the cause will be used to directly benefit the people in evacuation centres that I meet and help on this trip.
Yes, Japan is a major power in the world but this disaster was more powerful. It will take years and volunteers are declining as time goes on. The media has forgotten the plight of the people in affected areas as it so often does when other news takes over.
So please help me on my journey and make a difference to real people in this very real situation. Maybe you are thinking of doing this yourself? Please let me know.
I plan to go to Japan late November, in the quiet period at work. I am using my own holiday leave for this trip, if your stuck for a trip away how about joining me?
Donate if you can
Please state if you want to be anonymous.
*paypal button fixed!
Rakuten push for Germany and UK
353 days
by Liz
in Rakuten/Japan
Oh yes, my favourite money pit Rakuten is setting its sights on the UK and Germany in a more developed way. Last year they launched more country specific sites but are now looking to bring the Rakuten marketplace to our fair shores, so says the Japan Times
Full service sites to complete with eBay and Amazon…that is fighting talk!
So my wish list for Rakuten UK is (looking at the current Rakuten site) :
1. Fully disclosed shipping for each item, forcing sellers to declare the weight so there are no hidden surprises.
2. Choice of shipping service.
3. Better multi-variation listings and keeping the ‘bundle’ style listings you can see on the site at the moment. (5 items in a deal and you get to choose options)
4. Same rules for everyone, big or small.
5. Local support (for local people)
6. Kimono section – OK, this is never going to happen but hey I said this was a ‘wish’ list.
If you have never shopped on Rakuten, you should give it a try. It might be scary at first but buy something small and light. Its worth it to see the comedy translations. My favourite was ‘I have yen pants’ when looking at shoes….
I buy every month now and I have already planned my July spend on Rakuten!
