We Are Tomodachi Winter 2019
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The uniforms are matching gloves and vests sent from Tokyo.24FRENCH REPUBLICJAPANGRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR hortly before 10:00 a.m., on a Saturday with rainy skies clearing, Yoshiko Inai is waiting at a bench in front of a park in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. On the bench at the assembly point is a set of cleaning equipment: green vests and gloves, vinyl trash bags, and large tongs. Today is the monthly tidy-up day. Some have seen the announcement on the website, others have seen messages that spread through SNS, Japanese Individuals Contributing Worldwideand now they form a group that includes both regulars of several years standing, as well as hesitant newbies. The event takes an hour: volunteers choose their own paths through the area, picking up litter that catches the eye. Today almost 40 people are involved. Hatched in Tokyo in 2003, the Green Bird project is a volunteer organization that removes litter from the streets. The movement, starting from the concept of “cleaning your city can bring beauty into your heart” has spread, first through Japan and now worldwide. The Paris team dates from 2007. Inai first participated after reading an article on the Internet in 2009, and has served as leader since 2013. “Just as I was becoming frustrated by all the litter cluttering the streets, I learned about the movement and jumped right in. Everything looks so much better after being tidied up, and seeing the results creates good cheer. Making a civic Flocks of “green birds” hatched in Tokyo have been flying across the oceans. Serving as captain of the “Paris flock” is a Japanese woman, Yoshiko Inai.contribution also brings a certain feeling of satisfaction.” An important part of the leader’s role involves communicating with the headquarters in Japan, and uploading about monthly activities to the main Green Bird website in the form of a blog. Determining the monthly cleanup site is another important duty. Areas with heavy pedestrian traffic and lots of litter tend to be chosen as sites, and for a good reason. When a cleanup action is in progress, passers-by make comments. The attitude of “We pay taxes, so cleaning the streets should be the city’s job” is pervasive among Parisians, who are not accustomed to seeing litter being picked up by people other than employees of the city. Inai says, “We are often asked, ‘Are you trying to take away someone’s job?’ or ‘Is information Green Birdsfrom TokyoTake Flight in ParisS

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