Following the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28, The Pokémon Company has stepped forward with a significant contribution of 100 million yen (approximately US$630,000). These funds are being distributed to local government authorities and the Japanese Red Cross Society to bolster emergency recovery and provide essential resources to the thousands of residents currently displaced or lacking access to power and water.
Renowned musician YOSHIKI has also joined the relief effort, announcing a personal donation of 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. In a statement expressing his condolences, the artist emphasized his deep personal connection to both Japan and his second home in Europe, noting the heartbreak of witnessing simultaneous disasters across these regions.
In addition to his support for Kumamoto, YOSHIKI has pledged 100,000 euros (approximately US$120,000) to aid recovery efforts for the severe wildfires currently ravaging parts of France and Spain. These contributions arrive as local authorities continue to grapple with the aftermath of the earthquake, which caused major structural failures and significant casualties, alongside the ongoing challenges posed by extreme heatwaves across Europe.
