By Gabe Bullard
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-957646.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Japan/America Society of Kentucky has begun collecting donations for Japanese communities ravaged by last week's earthquake and tsunami.
Executive Director Matt Krebs says his board of directors approved the efforts Monday, with the goal to raise money for rebuilding efforts, rather than emergency relief.
"Once the media spotlight comes off the needs of the people of Japan in another week or two from now, the remaining needs of families that have no homes and some of those long-term issues will begin to come to the foreground," he says.
Krebs says there are at least 3,000 Japanese nationals living in Kentucky, and most of them work for Japanese manufacturing plants. Those businesses, he says, will likely not be affected by the disaster, though the employers may bring in counselors to talk with workers.