The Nippon Foundation says it remains active in relief efforts in the Sea of Japan, five weeks after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake destroyed over 43,000 homes.  

The Japanese cities of Wajima and Suzu, where the earthquake damage was the greatest, are located near the tip of the Noto Peninsula. Damage from the earthquake has made these areas inaccessible by road. 

As of the beginning of February, more than 10,000 people still live in emergency shelters. People are still searching for bodies. 

Essentials such as kerosene, diesel fuel, power generators, water tanks, showers and sinks with self-contained water systems have been delivered by the foundation. 

The Centre for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which has a global recovery fund for donors to meet ongoing events, says that though Japan is well equipped for disasters, support for mental health and psychosocial support services is critical.  

Disaster experts recommend cash donations, says the CDP, which enable on-the-ground agencies to direct funds to the greatest area of need.  

Meanwhile some of Japan’s biggest crypto firms have provided “tens of millions of yen” worth of tokens to charities aiding earthquake victims, according to local media. Eight blockchain networks have also set up donation channels. 

Crypto donation platforms became much sought after in February 2022, following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. 

Philanthropy and natural disasters have a long history in Japan, particular in the modern era.

The Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, however, marked a turning point for many parts of Japanese society, including its philanthropy sector.

“In particular, people changed their views of social innovation. This resulted in the rapid development of strategic philanthropy and impact investing,” Ken Ito, AVPN regional head for East Asia, told Alliance back in 2014.

Three impact investing funds were set up in response to the 2011 disaster which, says Ito, “created public confidence at a time when people were starting to question if donations to large government-affiliated charities really helped the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in their long-term recovery”.

Shafi Musaddique is the news editor at Alliance Magazine.