Happy New Year!
明けましておめでとうございます
We hope you all are enjoying the holiday season, getting some rest, and re-charging your batteries for election year 2024. Sadly, the start of the new year brought a massive earthquake centered in Ishikawa prefecture. We do hope anyone living in the affected areas are getting the help they need and staying safe. In addition to local authorities, the US Embassy and local Consulates may also provide assistance). Heartfelt thanks to everyone for their support and participation in 2023. Let’s begin preparing NOW to make our voices heard from Japan in US elections this year. See below for news on phonebanking campaigns this week and later this month, January speakeasies, the upcoming Global Presidential Primary, membership verification, and more. Sign up to volunteer here, donate to DAJ here.
DAJ News and Events
Make Sure You’re Still an Active DAJ Member!
Accurate member information allows us to better help you vote in US elections and is particularly important in 2024. Take just a few moments to review the information we have on file for you —mailing address, phone numbers, email address and preferences, etc.— by either completing this brief form (please complete as many fields as you can) or logging into the Democrats Abroad Japan website, then selecting Account Settings.
Phonebank for Special Election in Santos’ Former NY District – Thurs, Jan 4
Call DA members who vote in House District NY-03. The election is scheduled for Feb 13 but we need to start calling right away – sign up here. New to phonebanking? Get trained and certified here. Are you a NY-03 voter? Register by Feb 3, request your ballot by Feb 6, and remember to vote! Details here.
DAJ 2024 Global Presidential Primary
Sign Candidate Petitions by TODAY, Jan 3, 2024
Our in-person presidential primary is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024. Our page on the DAJ is here and we’ll be updating with more info as the day approaches. In the meantime, please sign ALL 3 petitions here to get the 3 declared candidates on the Democrats Abroad primary ballot. The more candidates on the ballot, the greater voter turnout!
Volunteer for our Jan 2024 DAJ Phonebanking Campaign
Just a few more weeks until our 2024 GOTV activities start in earnest with the first calls to DAJ voters in key states and districts. And we need your help! We’re building team of phonebankers now so we can have everything in place to begin calling next month. Join our team by emailing [email protected].
January Kanto Speakeasy – First of the New Year!
Thurs, Jan 11, 7:30pm
Join every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Aldgate Pub, Center Gai, Shibuya. Enjoy good company and conversation, have a drink, learn more about Democrats Abroad Japan, talk politics, elections—or not! Bring friends and make new ones! RSVP here.
Save the Date! 8th Annual Global Women's March Online
Jan 21, 6-7pm JST
Mark your calendars for next year’s virtual Global Women’s March! As befits an election year, the event’s theme is: “Voting matters: gender equality on the line in 2024”. There will be speakers on key issues on ballots, followed by discussion and action items. Stay tuned for RSVP and speaker information, coming in early 2024.
Know any Potential Speakers for 2024 Events?
As we plan out 2024 events—including GOTV events—we’d love to get speakers well versed on key issues. If you have any connections to members of congress, the embassy, ambassador, or other potential speakers, please let us know! Email [email protected] or [email protected]
DA Global News and Upcoming Events
DA Welcomes US House Rep Jaimie Raskin
On the Anniversary of the Jan 6 Insurrection
Sat, Jan 6, 10pm JST (8am EST)
Tune in Saturday evening to hear House Representative Jaimie Raskin (MD) discuss the progress of the House Committee in investigating the insurrection, as well as the 2024 elections. RSVP here.
Catch up on Important Tax/Investing Events You Missed in 2023
Some of DA’s Taxation Task Force events are, unfortunately, not at times helpful to those of us living in Japan. But recordings of many of these events will be made available on December 31st. RSVP for recordings on retirement, tax filing, investing, and expat taxes.
January/February Phonebank Training Sessions
Jan 9 (9am JST), Jan 10 (7pm JST), Feb 1 (7pm JST), Feb 2 (9am JST)
Four new session have been scheduled (one led by DAJ’s Vice-Chair), two in January and two in early February. Once you’re officially trained and certified, you can find a campaign and start making calls. RSVP and more details here.
January Voter Assistance Trainings
Jan 4, 7, 9, 10, 11 (various times)
We’ll need helpers to support voters throughout 2024 as they navigate how to vote from Japan. Whether you want to assist at in-person events, the Intercom Voter Help Desk, or Voter Assistance Zoom Rooms, go here to RSVP.
Ways to Get Involved and Stay Up to Date
Volunteer with DAJ
Donate to DAJ
DA Japan Events
Facebook
Twitter/X
Instagram
YOUTUBE