Wait, 'DON'T donate money to Japan'?

Comparatively speaking Haiti is a very small country... with less population... less infrastructure... more poverty and less opportunity to rebound from a major catastrophy than Japan. However... how many millions of $$$ have been donated to Haiti since their earthquake.... and keeps being donated. What has ALL that money done ? Most Haitian victims remain in tent camps unable to support themselves and all the while their menial economy remains stagnant, relief $$$ or money better spent rebuilding houses and schools is earmarked for rigged elections and Baby Doc Duvalier comes back home to nest. Haiti has become a money pit with no form of control by any NGO, Red Cross or whatever !! Let's have an audit to see what % of donated money actually made it to Haiti... since the results of all the giving, giving and more giving seems negligeable at best. Dare we make the same mistake with Japan !!

donate japan has helped several others ...othere's bad choices should not prevent us from helping....donate blood at least ...sorry i think helping others shouldnt be a debate ...this is just sad...just because a country is better off it should not be given aid?
donate supplies ....help the red cross i volunteered with them and they are very good at getting donations across...if your truly concerned about your cash ..dont worry you get a reciept and u can get some of it back in your tax's...sorry this is upsetting to me.

My heart is with the Japenese people, I would love to help but am not in the position to. I am all for our Military to go over and provide help and aid , also bringing supplies needed . I pay a lot of taxes to this country and much rather see them go to help the ones that need it , than fight useless wars such as in Afganistan or Lybia , These people will never change , still so stupid to believe they will get many vigins in there so called heaven LOL, Morons!!!

I am appaled.
Who does this guy; "Reuters’ Felix Salmon" think he is anyway?! Giving to a charity IS exactly a time to "generalize"! For wahtever reason, the community/organisation/family in question is; SUFFERING
DYING
Without food or clean water!!
WHen is the last time YOU had been going through on of the aforementioned problems?!
Regardless of race, nationality, colour or sex, it is our "duty" and "right" to assist those in need!
If a few heartless ^&*holes "rape' the charity system, so be it! They will get whats coming to them.
Let me tell you; I am a Canadian living in Japan now for 12 years. The Japanese are THE kindest, HONEST, soft-spoken people I have ever had the privilage of knowing!
They are not out looting, rioting, or raping during all of this destruction (Even though propably 98% of police are busy aiding the rescue efforts and it would be an opportune chance!) NO- the Japanese are being patient, sitting quiet, or WORKING together to fix their situation! They are NOT shouting; "Woo is me for being put in this situation..." as we may do in the Western world. They are hurt, many have lost EVERYTHING, and many have lost MORE than that...
Just imagine, the terror of living through a 9.0 quake that rocks your home for minutes long, then running to a nearby slope just in time to turn back & watch your home demolished by 10 metre high waves. After realising that EVERYTHING you held close has just been washed out to sea...and then realising that your daughter or son or husband or wife is nowhere to be found...
They are human, and they are hurting.
And knowing the Japanese pride, if we help them out, they WILL recipricate. It's the Japanese way.

If you STILL feel you cannot trust the Red Cross (?) then here is a Japanese bank fund, set up by the HONEST JAPANESE-run charity organisation; Fuji. Be sure, your money will go to those in need;

Fuiji Network Bokin (Fuji Network Charity)
Mizuho Ginko (bank)
Tokyo Chuo (branch)
1775255 (account number)
or 2255522

...and Thank you. From a Canadian living in Japan.

My family,,(Canadian) , we have had many Japanese students stay with us,as exchange students or who have been in School for studies in Canada,,and they are extraordinary people.
They are fun and always so polite,,,,and this quake has just been so devastating,,,as I have not kept record of each students record of addresses,,,yet through all of this I cannot stop remembering each of them ,,,where they maybe or just how they are feeling !!! Had one summer 60 little children and about 6 teachers came in with Muskoka Language and stayed 12/14 days in London,,,we had the Tour Guide stay with us .....Thanks for answered prayer ,,one of the girls who came for three years called me ,,,to let me know she and her family(and the family dog!!!) were safe,,very shaken ,,don't sleep well..........(;=.....sobbing !!!
Japanese I LOVE Them...cannot send money!!ONLY PRAYERS and that WORKS..............

This is another great opportunity for scammers and they are out in full force.

Okay. I am an American and understand that 9/11 was an immense tragedy.

BUT comparing workers at 9/11 receiving cookies, to the disaster relief that is needed in one of the WORST quakes in recorded history, followed by a devastating tsunami, and half a million people displaced, with continuing aftershocks, and a nuclear crisis is a totally bogus point. The level of these in terms of disaster relief do not compare. LOGIC FAIL.

A seasoned relief worker from World Vision was quoted in this article (http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2011-03-14-japan-recovery_N.htm): "This is more than any country can prepare for," she said. "This is absolutely a mind-numbing disaster, even for one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world."

Don't let a few articles curb the relief efforts to Japan. Half a million people are displaced and there is a shortage of blankets, food, water, and electricity blackouts. They NEED help!

I don't mind actually sending help to Japan by the form of money but like many people said, there are very untrustworthy people surrounding these charities. It would be good if we can find out that the money donated actually goes to help those people in need. Japanese people are good. When their country is doing fine, they try to help as well to those other countries that need assistance. I have nothing but praise for them at this moment for being resilient. Their law abiding behaviour despite these times of desperation is something to be admired. When there was an earthquake in Haiti, just after a week, you see Haitian people robbing and looting their fellow haitians. What kind of people would do that in the worst tragedy and situation their country is experiencing? When the quake and tsunami devastated Japan last week, we hear stories of Japanese trying to help fellow japanese people. You don't see them looting or robbing others that are more fortunate than they are. It's that kind of behaviour that tells you that these people are civilized and well-behaved and they do not try to take advantage of their fellow japanese who are more fortunate just because they are in desperate situations. Instead, I see those fortunate Japanese people extending out a helping hand to their fellow Japanese who have been hit by this catastrophe. I hope that they get through this crisis and that the International community helps them regain their dignity. Such a shame if no one would lend them a hand in these tough times.

My heart aches for the people of Japan right now. I cannot imagine what this trifector tragedy has done to the country. Any honest living person with a heart and concious is not going to just watch and not help. If so then I do not want to know you. I will be donating not only for the people but also to the Internation Fund for Animal Welfare IFAW as they also help in these situations. Zoos, aquariams, animal shelters, farm animals, wildlife, pets and strays all need our help also.
Please people do what is right and help as much as you can. The Japanese are wonderful people who need us right now. Also pray for them

why he don t want to donate money to japan who he think he is this guy its not good when something happend in other contrys every one donate and no one says that its not rigth its not good its a fraud WHY THE F*** now

Felix Salmon is one of those {Insert nasty, demeaning expletive here} who are using this disaster for their own benefit... What better way to drive your sites/blogs/personal exposure better than to create a controversial article about not helping Japan......

My suggestion..... Give your money, and let god sort everything out in the end!

Remember 9/11 when GM, Ford, and Chrysler all donated money and vehicles to the recovery effort in New York and outfitted the emergency services with a new fleet of vehicles for there heroic efforts. No a penny or letter of sympathy came from Japan or its Car companies who have made there whole economy off of North America. Any help they need to stop the pending Nuclear disaster should be given from all countries of the world but after that...good luck to them. You get what you give.

If I read his point correctly, it seems a lot of people here are missing his point. It is not money that is an issue here. It is able bodied people and transport equipment that are required to move supplies and equipment where there are no longer roads available. It is of no use sending money for supplies without the detailed planning of the people on the ground in Japan and around the globe to make sure it goes somewhere when it gets there if it even can. Recall the tons of supplies that just sat in Haiti because there was no integration plan on how to distribute it.

In the case of Japan, it is a first world nation with the best planning in the world. Having the worlds militaries work closely with their central planning agencies is the best way to go. Remember, it is not a big country size wise. Blindly fill it up with supplies will not help.

I can't see how money at this point would be of any great benefit.

I have never written a comment, but with this issue I felt compelled to write. I feel terrible for what Japan is going through, the people are suffering and aid is difficult to get to everyone who needs it. But I have to agree, Japan is the 3rd wealthiest country in the world and honestly doesn't need money. They need aid people, people to help with clean-up and rebuild, medical specialist, engineers etc. and those smal towns need supplies to reach them food, water and supplies, most of which Japan has plenty of, and for that matter Japan has ample people to help throughout the country that has not been hit by disaster-- are we forgetting that they are one of the highest populated countries in the world, and one of the most technologically advanced countries. So if you feel like you need to do something good and help think of those countries that really have nothing such as Haiti who a year later are still living in a crumbled country with no end in sight.

I have very little faith left in these charity organizations left. I don't want to see my hard earned money swallowed up by the bureaucracy of these groups and/or swallowed up by miscreants in the troubled land. I would be more than willing to contribute but to whom

Re: Jeff | Mar 16, 2022 9:35:03 AM

Jeff, you sound like one of the ignorant morons who says that the disasters in Japan are karma for Pearl Harbor. And if you're going to use such twisted logic, at least get your facts straight.

The US Government website (http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2005/September/20050915165123ajesrom9.768313e-02.html) noted "Japan is one of the best friends the United States ever could have to provide support."

Washington -- If the saying "a friend in need is a friend indeed" is true, Japan is one of the best friends the United States ever could have to provide support while so many Americans are suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Japanese private citizens and the government alike have sent a virtual tsunami of assistance to the victims of Katrina, which devastated 90,000 square miles along the U.S. Gulf Coast in August. Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes and hundreds lost their lives.

Japan has pledged more than $1.5 million in private donations. The government of Japan has donated $200,000 in cash to the American Red Cross and some $800,000 in relief supplies -- from blankets to generators -- already are arriving to aid the most needy. Japanese firms with operations in the United States have donated some $12 million in total, including Honda Motor Corporation ($5 million), Hitachi ($1 million) and Nissan (more than $750,000). "

Overall though, that is not what this article is about. Japan may be perceived as wealthy, but they are in serious debt and facing a MAJOR crisis with half a million displaced, tens of thousands presumed dead and entire cities destroyed. They do need aid!

Hello, my dear sweet mother-in-law was so generous...She give a little to every tragic situation no matter where it happened, around the world or in our own area...She lived on a seniors check and died with provisions to cover her own funeral...I was visiting her on one occasion when a fund raiser
knocked on her door and as usual she went for her purse, gave cash, and the fundraiser gave her a receipt for the donation.
And I retorted, why did you donate? You don't know if that money is not just going into their pocket...And this dear lady's answer "Then Shame on them" but if I did not give something to help my fellow man in there time of need, shame on me!!
When money is donated, it is not handed over to go shopping...Necessities are bought and distributed with that money...or services. When Haiti and Katrina occurred I gave to Doctor's without Borders and the Salvation Army...They are both found on-line.. Give if you are able...

I have to agree and disagree on the points made here.

Firstly, yes, I understand that scammers love disasters. It's another easy way to make money. Anyone can set up a website that mimicks a genuine relief effort. So yes, if you do choose to donate, be careful. Make sure the organization is reputable (say, the Red Cross, or something similar).

Secondly, I also agree that in times like these, donating in mass quantities may not be as helpful as you'd think. Roadways are virtually non-existant, and if any of you have seen pictures, the debris fields are incredibly large, there isn't much of a transport route to speak of. Mainly, relief workers are glad to see that people care and are attempting to help out but really, supplies are only being distributed at select locations at the moment because of limited transportation means. I'm not saying don't donate, I'm just stating the obvious. By ways of money, yes, Japan has just minted a few billion dollars to help out, clearly they can afford that now, but after this is all said and done, that's when they're going to need money. Think about all the manufacturers that bring in most of Japan's income. They've all had to shut down for a while now and therefore are losing money. IF you've seen the estimations on how much money the repairs and clean up will cost, then surely you understand that financially, Japan will need the most help in the weeks/months, possibly years to come.

And thirdly, to all of you who think that donating is a waste of time, or that this is just "karma" (you get what you give) whatever the case may be, did you take a step back and re-read what you wrote? Do you understand how selfish you sound? I understand that okay, maybe in some situations Japan didn't help out as much as they could but have we always been there? I'm sure there have been times when our country (whether you live in the States or in Canada or wherever) just didn't have adequate means to help out as much but you don't see other countries resenting us for that. Disaster is disaster, whether it's a rich country, a poor country, or something in between. Everyone can use help. If you honestly believe that they're getting what they deserve then I hope, for your sake, that you never ever experience a situation similar to the one that Japan is experiencing right now. Your selfish attitiude is what will come around and you may not be so lucky to have help when you need it most. I can't imagine the levels of pain and stress and total dispair these poor people are enduring right now, and I hope I never have to, but you better believe that if I could help out, I would be. These people deserve to have normalcy returned to their lives as quickly as possible. There's been enough pain and hardship to last them a lifetime.

If u want to donate .... send ur donation to the Canadian Red Cross. Do it online or even via text.
5$ is not alot but it goes to a reputable charity in helping with the efforts in Japan.

I agree with Charles. The Japanese are the most soft spoken and polite people I have had the honor of being around. My son is teaching in Japan and I visited him for 2 weeks. I walked the streets of Japan in the wee hours of the morning and I had no fears that I would be mugged or anything. I never felt safer. I live in Canada and there have been times when I haven't felt so safe here. I felt very welcome. I think that every little donation helps. A little may not seem like much but with everyone helping it adds up so quickly. I think that Red Cross must be good. I work for a charity and I know that there are audits done. The charities have to give an account for money that is donated.