On the afternoon of May 16, the members of the DPJ's Countermeasures Headquarters for the Myanmar Cyclone and Sichuan, China Earthquake, which is headed by Vice President Katsuya Okada, solicited donations on the street in Yuraku-cho, Tokyo, for supporting the victims of the cyclone in Myanmar and of the large earthquake in Sichuan, China.

First, (DPJ members announced that) Koichi Takemasa, Next Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, requested Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura to provide aid for reconstruction work, utilizing Japan's experience of coping with disaster, at the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Defense. They also explained to the crowd that they are now exchanging opinions with the ambassadors of 10 ASEAN countries, including Myanmar, for offering physical support.

Headquarters Secretary General Chinami Nishimura, whose constituency in Niigata Prefecture suffered disaster in 2004, said, "It is impossible to predict when and where natural disaster will occur and who will become victims," insisting that these are not the affairs of other people. Then, she asked cooperation from the public for supporting the victims.

Countermeasures Headquarters' Chair Okada explained that the people in Myanmar are leading a rugged life under the military regime, and insisted, "It is anticipated that citizens will not receive enough support from the Myanmar government, so we have to help them." In addition, he introduced the episode he found when visiting Myanmar last year, that is, the NGO activity in which Japanese youths donated chicks, which later grew up to chickens, producing eggs, and these eggs contributed to the health enhancement of children. "I still remember their smiles," he said, and then he called on warm assistance for Myanmarese citizens who feel friendly toward Japan. For the anxiety that goodwill donations will not reach victims under the military regime, he explained his plan to entrust money to NGOs, and stressed, "I promise to deliver your contributions to them without fail."

With regard to the earthquake in Sichuan, Okada mentioned that China is an important neighboring country, stressing that ethnic minority districts were seriously damaged. He said, "It is important to lend a helping hand to those people in need, for mutual assistance. I would like you to sympathize with them as the same human being."

While Headquarters Deputy Secretary General Satoshi Takayama, who also serves as Deputy Chair, National Rallying & Canvassing Committee, emceed, Secretary General Sakihito Ozawa (Chair, National Rallying & Canvassing Committee), Shinkun Haku (Deputy Chair, Public Relations Committee and Vice Director-General of International Department) and Seiji Osaka (House of Representatives Member) participated in this campaign. A large number of people stopped walking and listened to their speeches, and then made donations. The collected money amounted to 61,820 yen. This campaign will be continued throughout the country, mainly by prefectural chapters.

After the fundraising drive, Okada explained that Japanese aid has not been restricted compared with European countries, regarding the assistance for coping with the cyclone in Myanmar, and stressed, "Our money will be effectively used, if entrusted to NGOs." He expressed the policy of sending money to NGOs for the cyclone in Myanmar and to the Chinese Embassy for the large earthquake in Sichuan, China. The first donation will be sent next week.

(08/05/16)