To truly get an idea of how much the COVID-19 pandemic seems poised to change life in Japan over the next few months or so, just take a few minutes to check out the hundreds of online crowdfunding drives currently in operation nationwide.
Campfire, Japan’s largest crowdfunding website, has created a devoted section featuring campaigns that help stores, artists and other institutions in need of financial assistance in the wake of the novel coronavirus outbreak. And even as many parts of the country begin to ease state of emergency restrictions, new campaigns are being launched on this site on a daily basis.
Many campaigns are proving to be successful — raising capital to save such institutions as an iconic horse meat restaurant, a prominent nightclub in Shibuya’s Dogenzka neighborhood and a creative workspace in Osaka, among others — and it’s both inspirational and comforting to see so many people work to save what’s important to them.