Suntory Focuses on Fisheries and Children for Earthquake Recovery Support

Suntory Holdings Ltd., a major Japanese beverage and brewing company, announced on June 15, 2011, its detailed plan to support recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. In April, the company had initially decided to donate one yen (US$1.2 cent) per can of beverage product sold, expecting to raise approximately 4 billion yen (US$49.4 million). The June announcement provided more concrete details regarding its support program, including what areas the donations will be directed to.

Two areas of focus in the donation plan are fisheries and children. The company selected these areas recognizing that a long-term vision for business recovery and support for children, the future stewards of society, are indispensable to the recovery and revitalization of the affected areas..

For fisheries, the company will donate 1 billion yen (US$12.35 million) each to Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, primarily to subsidize purchases of fishing boats, in order to support the recovery of small-scale fisheries that sustained enormous damage. It will also offer financial aid for earthquake survivors who attend fishery vocational high schools in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures in the hope of raising future generations of fishermen.

In terms of support for children, 1.7 billion yen (US$20.99 million) is allocated in the plan. Through collaboration with Save the Children Japan, an NGO focused on children's rights, the company will launch a project to provide children in the affected areas with opportunities and places to play, in addition to the student financial aid mentioned above. Donations will be also directed to another student aid program for earthquake orphans through the Momo-Kaki Orphans Fund, a scholarship foundation dedicated to disaster orphans.

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http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/029262.html

Posted: 2011/10/23 06:00:15 AM