The Big Issue Japan: ‘We are not defeated'

The cover of The
Big Issue in Scotland

In Sendai, capital of Miyagi - one of north-east Japan's regions worst affected by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami - all Big Issue Japan vendors are alive and accounted for. Miku Sano, managing director of The Big Issue Japan's Tokyo office, said: "At first, many of us were surprised at how strong and unaffected most vendors seem. However, when you think about it, most of our vendors always sleep outside - which means, in many ways, the "emergency situation" that we are facing now is the kind of life they live on a daily basis. I hope this crisis will bring us together and that it will give us a chance to think more about the people who have to live in such harsh conditions not only after this earthquake, but every day". Read more.

Street papers pull together to support the Big Issue Japan

Several INSP street papers are raising money to support their colleagues at The Big Issue Japan, following the recent earthquake and tsunami. Ulica in Macedonia are raising money locally via their website and on a regional TV channel. Nota Bene in Slovakia will donate 5 cents from each copy sold of their April issue, raising an estimated 1400 euros. Hinz&Kunzt in Germany are raising money through their website and will publish personal messages from their own vendors, who despite being homeless themselves, are in disbelief at the tragedy. Many street papers are also running a diary and message sent by Miku Sano, managing director of The Big Issue Japan's Tokyo office.