"Atom (Astroboy) Currency" debuts
- the currency which can be used only at Waseda and Takadanobaba area. The idea of Astroboy currency is that we can save our delicate earth, and that our volunteer works will be useful for the coming generation.

What is "Astroboy currency"?

There are three kinds of notes: 10-horsepower, 100-horsepower and 200-horsepower. 10-horsepower comes to 10 yen in Japanese currency.

Starting "Astroboy" in a comic book, Osamu Tezuka (the original author) made a fiction that Astroboy was born at the Ministry of Science at Takadanobaba on 7 April 2004. To celebrate Astroboy's birthday, last year he was appointed "Shinjuku special envoy to the future" by Shinjuku Ward. Have you seen Astroboy's wall paintings under an elevated railway? You may have heard the theme song of Astroboy at Takadanobaba station.

To celebrate his first birthday "Astroboy currency", which can be used at Takadanobaba and Waseda area, has started since 6 April. Ikuo Hirayama Memorial Volunteer Centre (WAVOC) at Waseda University, shopping streets near Waseda, several NGOs and Shinjuku Ward stand together so that "Astroboy currency" can activate this region, and the regional activities can contribute to our society. The first "Astroboy currency" will be invalid on 20 September. After that the executive committee of "Astroboy currency" will survey the circulation of the currency and the public opinion, and will decide whether the committee will continue the project or not.

"Astroboy currency" is distributed as a reward for volunteer activities, and this currency can be used at local shops which have participated in this project. Let's get "Astroboy currency" participating in the "pitcher's project'.

How can I get it?

You can get it, if you 'keep on doing good'. For instance, Instead of consuming you can gather plastic shopping bags, chopsticks and throwaway food containers, you can bring your own tableware to protect the environment of the earth. You can get"Astroboy currency". There are various projects such as "My eco-pack project", "My chopsticks project", "Fair-trade", "Life without rubbish project", "My containers project", "My ashtray project", "Hangers recycling project".

You can get "Astroboy currency" if you participate in the NGO international cooperation programme.

For instance, "the local community programme". If you gather empty tins on the street, you will get "Astroboy currency". There are many programmes for local activities. "Clean Campaign", "Tin Club", "The Study project to improve the Waseda district: Let's think about ourselves 20 years hence from now", "Volunteer activities to maintain the safety of the children who attend and leave school." "Going on a patrol as volunteering activities".

Let's get "Astroboy currency" by working as a volunteer.

For example, playing with kids, cultivating a rice field and conservation of forests, etc.

We interviewed four persons involving in "Astroboy Currency". What makes you start this project? How do you feel about it?

Takuya MATSUDA from WAVOC

'I want to change the way money is used. Today's Japanese economy flourishes at the price of destroying nature and exploiting the third world. I do not feel it right to devour only economic growth. I am not only questioning today's economic life but also want to show a better way of currency system. At the beginning of this project, we considered to launch 'Decaying Money', the value of which would be decayed in the course of time. I do not think that all things yield to money. Just as going to university is more than going to a building, I hope "Astroboy currency" will be a chance to achieve better communication. It is a small but significant step, I believe.'

Kazuhiko KIYONO, (Sophomore, School of Political Science and Economics)

'Last year we wanted to describe our "future" at the parade of the "Thanksgiving Day for the Earth". Under the elevated railway near Takadanobaba station I saw a wall painting in which I found the coexistence of the machinery, the people and the animals, so I apply that idea to the theme of the parade. When we prepared for the parade, I had good chances to acquaint with local people and NGO. I felt such a great power that local people possess when we are united'

Yoshitaka OKATANI, (Sophomore, School of Human Sciences)

'For a long time I have been interested in international cooperation and wanted to do something. I hope that we continue to use "Astroboy currency" by purchasing "Fair trade" goods.'

Makito KANEKO (Sophomore, School of Commerce)

'I wish that you set much value on the human relationships in your community. The people at your local shopping street are witty actually. I hope "Astroboy currency" will prompt you to begin charity works.'

CONTACT

WAVOC(Hirayama Ikuo Kinen Volunteer Center )
Tel 03 (3203) 4192 * weekday 10am-17pm
Address 1-104-12 Toduka-cho Shinjyuku-ku
URL http://www.atom-community.jp/
For further information, go to the Web Site to check up-to d-date members of Atom Community.
Information board

TAKADANOBABA NISHI SHOTENGAI SHINKO KUMIAI JIMUSHO
BIG BOX 2F OSAMU TEZUKA SHOP 'JYUUMANNBARIKI'
WASEDA ECO STATION 3rd building
WAVOC

| TOP(English) | TOP(Japanese) | List of the articles |

"Atom (Astroboy) Currency" debuts - the currency which can be used only at Waseda and Takadanobaba area. The idea of Astroboy currency is that we can save our delicate earth, and that our volunteer works will be useful for the coming generation.