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Global Classroom: After the Storm: Spotlight on Post-Tsunami Japan

It has been almost a year since the historic, 9.0 magnitude earthquake unleashed a devastating tsunami in northeast Japan. Many of the Japanese who lived near the epicenter are still trying to piece their lives back together. How has this crisisknown in Japan as simply "3/11" affected the local people, as well as the rest of the citizens of this island nation?

Join Robert Pekkanen, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Washington, for a thought-provoking look at the rebuilding and revival of Japan's infrastructure as well as the social, economic, and political challenges facing Japan today one year after 3/11. An engaging speaker, Professor Pekkanen will lead educators on an exploration of some of the critical issues impacting the lives of Japanese today including new challenges the future of nuclear power, the livelihoods of farmers and fisherman, post-tsunami innovationsand ongoing issues: party politics, youth issues, Japan-China relations, and Japan's role in the world. Leave with an updated understanding of Japan that goes beyond the headlines. Pekkanen was living in Japan last year when the earthquake hit.

Professor Pekkanen specializes in Japanese politics at the University of Washington. His main research involves civil society, neighborhood associations, and political parties in Japan. He has written a number of books including Japan's Dual Civil Society: Members Without Advocates from Stanford University Press and The Rise and Fall of Japan's LDP: Political Parties Organizations as Historical Institutions published by Cornell University Press in 2010, co-authored with Ellis S. Krauss.

Following Professor Pekkanen's in-depth look at Japan today, we will discuss ways Japan can be integrated into classroom curriculum and distribute up-to-date teaching resources. Many of these will touch on post-tsunami Japan and the question of whether the U.S. can learn from Japan's 2011 disaster. Leading this resource session will be Mary Hammond Bernson, Director, East Asia Resource Center.

The World Affairs Council, the East Asia Resource Center, and the Center for Global Studies invite you to After the Storm: Spotlight on Post-Tsunami Japan. Teachers will receive resources, clock hours, and a light Japanese buffet.