The earthquake and tsunami that rolled over parts of Japan is one of those things that happen on this planet from time to time. Our first instinct is to help in some kind of way, which is only natural and good. The problem that always seems to come up is not the why but the harder question: How.
We’re not trained rescue Search and Rescue technicians, or paramedics who can jump on a flight and start fixing things in Sendai, even if we could get time off, have the money for a ticket and so on. We are forced to be passive observers, which is frustrating in some ways. What we can do is help those who can actually help. This usually means the topical application of money, in the form of donations to charities.
There have been reports of several instant charities popping up to take advantage of the disaster. Many are using Facebook and Twitter as their way to reach out, while others are sticking with email pleadings. Some may be well-meaning but inept, while others are outright frauds. Since we can’t go and help, we make the intellectual linkage that it is good to help the charities that are doing the work, skipping that step of ensuring the organization we’re supporting with our dollars are effective, efficient and real.
If you want to help Japan, there is one real way: The International Committee of the Red Cross, the ICRC. The Red Cross and Red Crescent are the preeminent providers of disaster relief worldwide and they use your money correctly to help.
As for the other groups that are suddenly going to appear? If you’ve never heard of them before, odds are people in Japan who need help will never hear of them either.
Give, absolutely, but give wisely.
RoadDave 
In this day of “Where’s The Next Big Story”, there is one other thing we can all do. Remember. Remember the disasters that still are, but are no longer “current”, and thus not worth covering. Haiti still lies in ruins, and even with Crazy Charlie Sheen’s occasional rant, has disappeared from our collective consciousness. Chile still has quake damage. Flooding is widespread on this continent, and in parts of Europe and Asia. Even poor Christchurch, New Zealand has vanished from coverage. In time, Japan will disappear from the news, to be replaced by new Australian fires and floods, or disasters in China, or whatever. My suggestion would be to measure out your donations – give some money repeatedly, than one lump sum. You stand a smaller chance of being ripped off, and the continuing financing will help the “forgotten” people recover their lives.
as usual David …useful, well written, informative!