Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012

A charity established by a talent agency to support reconstruction in the northeast expects to shoulder several billion yen of the cost of leasing giant pandas from China for a zoo in Sendai.

Singer Masahiko Kondo, 47, who represents the Marching J charity set up by Johnny & Associates Inc., said it will cover the expenses estimated for the initial five-year period.

"We want to bring back smiles to as many children as possible," Kondo said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has expressed a willingness to lease two giant pandas to the Sendai zoo in an effort to brighten the lives of children in Tohoku.

In addition to the initial transportation, the costs will cover rental fees to China, building the necessary facilities and ensuring their long-term upkeep, Kondo said.

The charity plans to solicit general donations and also use contributions from the talent agency and its affiliates.

"We want to continue with fundraising. We hope people will chip in, thinking, 'It's for panda food,' " Kondo said.

Marching J was launched immediately after the March 11 disasters.

After learning of Sendai's desire to lease two giant pandas for the Yagiyama Zoological Park, the group decided to contribute in the hope of boosting the region's economy and lifting the spirits of children.

Kondo has since conducted extensive negotiations with the Chinese side.

The charity also aims to facilitate exchanges between disaster-hit children in Japan and China through such projects as establishing a scholarship for children orphaned in the 2008 Sichuan quake to study or work in Japan.

On Friday night, the agency invited Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua to a performance of "Takizawa Kakumei" ("Takizawa's Revolution"), whose cast is led by Johnny & Associates singer and actor Hideaki Takizawa, at Teikoku Gekijo (Imperial Garden Theater) in Tokyo.

At the end of the show, Takizawa thanked Cheng from the stage.

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