PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — One year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan, the Brown University community will commemorate the anniversary with a series of events throughout March and April. The events are being organized by the Japanese Cultural Association (JCA) and University Committee for Japan Earthquake Response.

The events will begin on Sunday, March 11, 2012, exactly one year after the earthquake disaster, with “Cranes on the Green,” an interactive installation presented by the JCA. Hundreds of folded paper cranes will be available for people to place on the College Green throughout the day. The public is welcome to participate.

Two Japanese high school students orphaned by the tsunami will share their stories of disaster, remembrance, and hope for the future in an event, titled “Beyond Tomorrow: Orphaned by the Waves,” on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. Additionally, Minami Tsubouchi, executive director of Global Fund for Education Assistance, will address the educational challenges and explore the various support programs held in the devastated regions. The event begins at 5 p.m. in Salomon Center for Teaching, Room 001, followed by a reception.

The series continues on Sunday, April 8, with “Japan after the 3.11 Earthquake: Rethink, Rebuild, Remember.” Three experts will discuss their experiences and knowledge of ongoing relief efforts and plight of displaced vicitims to bridge the gap between common misconceptions and the realities of the aftermath. Speakers include Nozomi Kanda, director of the Power of Japan, who has led various support programs in the afflicted regions; Keiko Kiyama, secretary general of Japan Emergency NGOs; and Jeffrey Bayliss, professor of history at Trinity College, who has studied and volunteered in the afflicted regions. Kerry Smith, chair of East Asian studies at Brown, will moderate the conversation. The speakers are taking part in a multicollege tour that also includes stops at Princeton University, Middlebury College, Dartmouth College, M.I.T., and Harvard University. This event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in Salomon Center for Teaching, Room 001.

To raise funds and spread awareness for the devastating disaster that struck Japan, JCA in collaboration with 11 other universities around the world will be selling T-shirts designed and created by Brown students. The money raised from the T-shirt sales will be donated to Power of Japan and JEN to support the thousands of childrens orphaned by the disaster.

For more information, visit www.brownjca.org.