During my studies I was living and working in Japan. I was always welcomed with open arms and never experienced anything but kindness and generosity from the Japanese people.

I was living in Kyoto when a big earthquake struck in 1995 and destroyed the neighbouring city of Kobe, killing thousands of people. I  was humbled then by the resilience, dependability and composure of the Japanese in facing such extreme circumstances. Fortunately however, there was no tsunami at this time, and Kobe is now fully rebuilt.

What Japan is facing now is devastation on an unprecedented scale. And I want to help! To do this, I am planning a number of events at my workplace: we will be having cake sales (German, I can't do Japanese...), Japanese taster sessions, and if the donations reach more than £150, I will be coming into work wearing the full outfit of a Japanese summer kimono (yukata).