Ken Watanabe’s ‘Unite For Japan’ was launched with the aim to raise funds for the earthquake effort. Please join them in showing Japan doesn’t stand alone by making a donation. No contribution is too small, and if we work together, we can make a difference. Here’s why Ken Watanabe started this fundraising effort:
Japan was the recent victim of one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded. The magnitude 9.0 quake occurred off the coast of Sendai at 2:46pm on March 11, and triggered a powerful tsunami that engulfed the northeastern coast less than an hour later. The catastrophe left over 27,000 dead or missing and forced 450,000 into shelters. The earthquake also led to cooling problems at three of Japan’s nuclear power plants. After the meltdown of at least two nuclear reactors, residents in the affected areas were evacuated, and a state of emergency was declared.
When I first saw the catastrophic damage, I was in shock and utter disbelief. In the days following the earthquake, it was devastating for me to watch the homeless taking shelter at evacuation centers. Many were eating just one meal a day, and sleeping on floors with inadequate clothing to fight off the cold, all the while not knowing when or how their lives could change for the better after losing homes and, in some cases, loved ones. The events were so overwhelming that I felt powerless. But soon, I was no longer able to sit still and watch the horrifying events unfold. I decided to do two things, which was to help raise funds for the earthquake relief effort, and give the victims moral support by gathering messages from around the world.
A few months have passed since the deadly earthquake struck Japan, but hundreds of thousands are still living in shelters and many are reporting increased rates of fatigue, stress, and insomnia. In addition, a growing number of children are developing mumps, asthma, and pneumonia and other illnesses related to stress. Two months later, Japan still needs your help. If you haven’t already done so, please support by making a donation. No contribution is too small, and if we work together, we can make a difference
With one catastrophe after another, morale in Japan is low. But with your help, I know the people of Japan will make it through this catastrophe. Please join me in showing that Japan doesn’t stand alone by participating in the Unite for Japan relief effort. Thank you so much for your help, and please continue to keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers.
You can learn more about how you can help here (English) or here (Japanese).
Here’s a few more ways people have supported Japan:
Tsunami Relief: Download to Donate
2011 Japan Earthquake people finder
You can also click on the “donate to Japan” button on the toolbar at the footer of channelAPA.com.
We Pray For You : YouTube Japan Tribute
Unite For Japan with Ken Watanabe
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Celebrities Unite For Japan with Ken Watanabe
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(In order of appearance) Cobie Smulders, William Shatner, Jamie Lee Curtis, Apolo Ohno, John Legend, Cameron Diaz, Masi Oka, Matt Damon, Steph Song, John Travolta, Paula Abdul, Richard Lewis, Muramasa Kudo, Katy Perry, Jonah Hill, Sharon Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Aisha Tyler, Amaury Nolasco, Charlize Theron, Hideki Matsui, Ellen Degeneres, Julian McMahon, Robert Patrick, Maggie Q, Mikael Hafstrom, Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Morrison, Cillian Murphy, Rob Marshall, Zoe Saldana, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo Dicaprio and Jake Shimabukuro unite for Ken Watanabe’s earthquake relief effort.
“Amazing Grace” by Jake Shimabukuro is available on 
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