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Group donates $5K to restore shrine in Japan
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Posted on Oct 26 2011
By Clarissa V. David
Reporter
Reporter
The non-profit group NMI Japan Disaster Relief donated $5,000 to the Katori Jingu group, which recently visited Saipan for their annual peace pilgrimage.
Nick Nishikawa and Yoichi Matsumura of the NMI Japan Disaster Relief presented the check donation to Rev. Shoji Takahashi, high priest of Katori Jingu, at the Fiesta Resort and Spa in Garapan on Saturday.
The presentation took place after the 25-member Katori Jingu group led a peace ceremony at the Sugar King Park, highlighted by the offering of prayers for the people of Japan and the CNMI.
Takahashi, speaking in Japanese, expressed his appreciation for the donation that he said was unexpected.
The donation, Takahashi said, will be put to good use since it would help fund the restoration of their shrine, which was heavily damaged by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March.
According to Takahashi, it would take some $100,000 to repair the Katori shrine.
Matsumura, for his part, said their group has a “good relationship” with the Katori Jingu devotees, which is why they decided to make the donation.
He said the Japan office of the Marianas Visitors Authority made recommendations to the NMI Japan Disaster Relief about how to effectively donate money to help the relief and recovery efforts in the nation heavily affected by the two disasters.
“We want to help them recover,” Matsumura told Saipan Tribune, adding that they held fundraising events to come up with the donation.
These fundraising events included a radio-thon, raffle draws, setting up booths at the Garapan Street Market, and various direct donations.
Last April, the NMI Japan Disaster Relief presented a check worth $50,000 to Japan Consul Tsutomu Higuchi at the governor’s conference room on Capital Hill.
