The organizers of Japan Matsuri 2011 and The Japan Society have watched with deep sadness as news unfolds of the scale of damage from the Tohoku Pacific earthquake* on 11 March 2011. We extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all who have lost loved ones or been affected by the disastrous events. (*Officially renamed ‘The Great East Japan Earthquake’ in April 2011.)

The Japan Society has created a relief fund to aid victims of the Tohoku earthquake. All funds received will be distributed to organizations working to help people in the affected areas recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunami.

The Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund will channel all donations received to the ongoing work of voluntary and community organisations (NPOs) working in the most affected prefectures. Once the emergency relief work of theJapanese government, the Japan Red Cross and other national and international reliefagencies has finished, and the basic physical needs of the victims of the disaster have been met, there will be an immense amount of work to be done to rebuild livesand livelihoods. We believe that grassroots organisations, working with their local stakeholders, are best equipped to deliver long-term support through activities for which they themselves identify the need. We will work with representatives and support networks of local NPOs to ensure that funds are directed to appropriate organisations on the ground for maximum impact.

At various collection points throughout County Hall during Japan Matsuri 2011 on 18 September, volunteers will be asking for donations towards this fund, so please help us help those in Japan!

You can also contribute to the Japan Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund NOW by credit/debit card by telephoning the office of The Japan Society on 020 7828 6330 or bysending a cheque to:

Please make your cheques payable to the Japan Society with
“Tohoku EarthquakeRelief Fund” on the reverse.

If you wish to pay by Bank Transfer we will provide you with our bank details on request.

If you are a UK tax payer, we can reclaim tax on your donation making it worth more. You must have paid an amount of UK Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax equal to anytax reclaimed.

Please don’t forget to indicate whether you wish us to do this. A suggested formof words to authorize this is ‘I am a UK tax payer. Please reclaim Gift Aid on mydonation.’

For additional information, please email office@japansociety.org.uk

The Japan Society is a registered charity and is registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales. Company number 3371038 Charity number 1063952 VAT Registration No: 241 5505 89.