| FM radio Wai Wai is making disaster relief information in multiple languages available to areas of Japan hard hit by recent earthquakes and the typhoons. GLOCOM is supporting FM Wai Wai by providing digital recordings on the web.
Multiple language community radio station "FM Wai Wai" has started to provide disaster relief information and assistance to foreign residents in areas hit by the Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake and typhoon No.23, in cooperation with local community FM stations.
Over 2000 foreign nationals studying at local universities and colleges and taking part in industry training, live in earthquake stricken areas such as the cities of Nagaoka and Ojiya. Overcoming the language barrier, FM Wai Wai is providing important information in many languages.
Disaster relief information is sent from the local radio station FM Nagaoka to Takatori community center in Niigata where members translate the materials and make voice recordings. Sound files are sent by the Internet and broadcast in the stricken areas. (FM Nagaoka has ben granted a special disaster-use broadcasting license following the earthquake allowing it to increase output 2.5 times.)
In addition, voice recordings of guidance from the Hyogo Prefecture foreigners assistance center about typhoon No.23 have been made in multiple languages and broadcast by the local radio station Toyooka's "FM Jungle".
The International University of Japan is based in the town of Urasa in the area hit by the Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake. Consequently, GLOCOM decided to cooperate with FM Wai Wai offering radio programs and by providing Web services.
- Links:
- Multiple language materials for disaster-use local FM radio station in Niigata Prefecture Tookamachi City
- Multiple language materials for the disaster-use local FM radio station in Niigata Prefecture Nagaoka City
- Sound source files on GLOCOM's website
FM Wai Wai was founded in Kobe City at the time of Hanshin Awaji earthquake disaster in January 1995. Korean mini-FM station, FM Poseyo, and Vietnamese mini-FM station, FM Yumen, were formed at the same time to provide local information after the earthquake. FM Wai Wai was approved as a community FM station for foreign residents, and is broadcast by eight languages.
We are asking for people to donate radios that can be given to people in the the disaster areas. Information about the disaster relief broadcasts and frequencies will be sent with the radios. In addition to portable radios, earphones and batteries are also urgently needed (AA or AAA size batteries). Donations gratefully accepted until November 30.
- Address
- Stricken area support charge FM Wai Wai
3-3-8, Kaiun-cho, Nagata-ku Kobe 653-0052
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