Japanese group asks help for quake victims

The Japanese Society of Northern Marianas is asking for the CNMI community’s help with their fundraising assistance to help the victims of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Kumamoto and Oita prefectures last April 16. Kumamoto and Oita are about an hour by plane from Tokyo.

Consul Toshio Matsumura, who replaced Hitoshi Kikuchi early this month, said that although he is new on Saipan it is nice to know that the people are very welcoming and are always ready to lend a helping hand.

“Japan is truly grateful for the letter of support given by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog. We thank the CNMI for their support as we recover from this disaster,” said Matsumura.

He added that they are now accepting cash donations, which they would deposit to an account at the Bank of Guam and have it transferred to the city governments of Kumamoto and Oita.

JSNM vice president Hiroko Tenorio said as of the moment they could only accept cash donations since it is still difficult to ship and get the supplies to the site of the earthquake. She added that they have several members from Kumamoto City but their families are safe.

“Schools are not yet open in earthquake-hit Kumamoto and Oita. People are still living in shelters since they are still afraid to go back to their homes because of strong aftershocks,” said Tenorio.

President Junichi Kitagawa said Japan and the CNMI continue to support each other in times of disaster. “We always cooperate to help each other in times of disaster. We also need the help of all the people from the community.”

“We welcome individuals or groups who wanted to help and support us as we raise funds to help our countrymen in need. All money collected here will be sent to Japan to help the families recover from the devastating quake,” added Kitagawa.

Japan-Saipan Travel Association president Masaru Sunaga their country and the CNMI share a long history, whether good or bad. “Specially the relationship in the tourism industry. The people of the CNMI always share a good relationship with Japan.”

Tenorio said they have already coordinated with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs to have a tent set up at the Thursday Night Street Market starting on April 28. They are also talking with the Marianas Visitors Authority to have a tent at the Taste of the Marianas.

“The MVA is helping us in asking permit from the park rangers of the American Memorial Park to have a tent set up in the four Saturdays of the Taste of the Marianas,” said Tenorio, who added that they would also sell raffle tickets at $5 each.

For more information, call Kitagawa at 483-642 or JSNM vice president Masaki Inoue at 287-9376 or Tenorio at 483-0614 or email goodcarespn@pticom.com.