The Block System is a social support network. It was created in response to a need for local social support in regions far from Naha City (where the PA Support System is based). Okinawa is divided into 8 “blocks”, which are each headed by a volunteer “Blockhead” from the JET community. The Blockhead helps both Muni and Ken JETs settle into their area by organizing social events and providing information on local daily life (e.g. places to go, where the nearest supermarket is, etc). Blockheads are not responsible for helping with work-related issues.
Blockheads 2023/2024
Block 1: The North/Hokubu (Nago, Kunigami), Joseph Darracott
Block 2: Upper Chubu (Okinawa City, Uruma, Yomitan), David Alejandrino
Block 3: Lower Chubu (Urasoe, Nishihara, Ginowan), Theresa Nguyen
Block 4: Naha, Ossia O`Neill
Block 5: The South/Nanbu (Itoman, Nanjo, Yonabaru), Ana Lopez-Ruiz & Jasmine Justo
Block 6: The Outer Islands (Iheya, Izena, Ie, Kume, the Keramas, and the Daitos), James Paterson
Block 7: Miyako, Emi Nakashima
Block 8: Ishigaki/Yaeyama, Alex Hartzog
Okijets 