Prime Minister Naoto Kan took out nearly a full-page ad in the International Herald Tribune last week to thank the international community for their kizuna (bond of friendship), regarding Japan's earthquake and tsunami disaster on March 11. It was a stirring tribute to those who have come together to help a nation in need.
I recently returned from Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, where there was also much relief effort going on for Japan. The people of L.A. had come up with everything under the Rising Sun to help Japan. It's beautiful how charity brings people together.
In Little Tokyo, signs hung in every proprietor's window, each with a different version of relief: "Love for Japan," an earthquake relief benefit concert was being held by local musicians, a "Save Japan" charity market was on at the Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple and another store had T-shirts that said "Save Japan Now" (all proceeds donated to Red Cross). "Dine out for Japan Relief" was sponsored by the Japanese Restaurants Association of America, the local chamber of commerce and Rafu Shimpo (a Japanese-American newspaper in L.A. since 1903). "All Donations Go to Japan Threw UNICEF," the sign assures us.