In response to the devastating earthquake, tsunami and radiation exposure that have destroyed parts of northeastern Japan, the Boston University Japanese Students Association students kicked off a series of fundraisers to raise money for the victims.
“There are a lot of international students at BU,” said Yu Ishihara, co-president of BUJSA and a College of Arts and Sciences senior. “I’m pretty sure a lot of people were shocked by the tragedy in Japan, and I’m sure a lot of people are interested in [fundraising].”
In addition, the club is selling “pray for Japan” wristbands and Japanese cakes from Japonaise Bakery & Cafe. Donations will be sent to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
All profits from the ticket sales for the April 3 BUJSA’s cultural festival “Omatsuri” will also be donated to the JRCS, Ishihara said.
Ishihara said BUJSA has no specific fundraising goal other than trying to raise as much as possible. The club is also sending hopeful, written messages to victims in the city of Sendai where the tsunami hit hardest and the Miyagi Prefecture region.
Other BUJSA members stressed the importance of donating to the devastated region.
“I felt very powerless when I began to swallow the reality of what has happened,” said Ayaka Matsui, the BUJSA treasurer and a CAS and School of Management junior. “But as I saw the courage and positive spirit of Japanese people helping others in this hopeless situation it struck me that we can do so many things to help them from the U.S.”
Many students expressed their excitement and willingness to give to Japan.
“I am definitely participating because Japan has always been, and will always be, one of my favorite [countries] in the world,” said Garbo Loo, a School of Hospitality Administration senior.
“I would hate to see this country simply go downhill like this,” Loo said. “I am just doing my part to help those in need because it’s in my DNA, and it should also be in all of ours.”
CAS senior Craig Strauss said he donated as soon as he could on Monday.
“The BU community should understand that we have a large amount of the student body heralding from Japan,” Strauss said. “By giving to this local fundraiser we can directly support our friends whose families are affected in Japan.”
BUJSA will be in the GSU Link from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday until April 1.
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“J** Disaster Relief”: are you f******* kidding me? Are you a racist or just someone who’s never studied history?
The original headline of this article was the result of an editing mistake. No offense was intended, and we deeply apologize if any offense was taken.
Editor-in-chief Joshua Cain