Student army leader heading to Japan

Sam Johnson, Canterbury University student and organiser of the student earthquake clean-up team. Photo / Alan Gibson.

The leader of Christchurch's student volunteer army is heading to disaster struck Japan to see if the model will work there.

The volunteer army helped thousands of Cantabrians clean up after both earthquakes.

Now Sam Johnson and a colleague are heading to Tokyo this weekend to see if a Japanese version could operate.

Mr Johnson said they will be over there for two weeks and will be going north of Tokyo - but will be staying well clear of the radiation zone.

Mr Johnson said they were invited to Japan by the Global Disaster Immediate Response Team, which is contracted by the United Nations.

- Newstalk ZB