VIZ Media Joins Global Effort to Help Japan

VIZ MEDIA DONATES TO JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AID AND RECOVERY EFFORTS

Manga publisher VIZ Media has joined global relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan with a substantial corporate donation to aid the recovery. The company will donate the funds to three prominent organizations – Save the Children, AmeriCares and Architecture for Humanity – working to provide immediate aid and assistance in the affected regions of Sendai and Fukushima. In addition, VIZ Media is planning additional fundraising efforts with other San Francisco Bay Area companies and businesses, which will benefit Artists Help Japan (in partnership with Give2Asia).

The 9.0 earthquake displaced more than 100,000 children from their homes and more than 380,000 people have been evacuated across the country. Many tsunami-affected areas are still cut off from relief and Japan remains on high alert for the three nuclear reactors in Fukushima. More than 465 roads, 43 railways and seven bridges have been completely washed away.

“We were all shocked and saddened by the terrible events of March 11th, but we’re heartened and inspired by resilience of the Japanese people and the tremendous outpouring of physical aid, money, and global good will that has followed so quickly,” says Hidemi Fukuhara, President and CEO of VIZ Media. “Save the Children, AmeriCares, Architecture for Humanity and Artists Help Japan will provide critical support and aid for the youngest victims of the disaster, arrange for medical care and social services for all survivors, as well as help begin rebuilding efforts. We’re honored to contribute to Japan’s recovery, and encourage our fans to do the same.”

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organization for children. The organization’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. The mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. More information on Save the Children’s Japan recovery efforts is available at: http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6621121/k.3D08/Japan_Earthquake_Tsunami_Relief.htm.

AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs – and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs – for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. More information on AmeriCares’ Japan recovery efforts is available at: http://www.americares.org/whatwedo/emergency/japan/japan-earthquake-tsunami.html.

Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. The organization seeks to build a more sustainable future through the power of professional design. By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, Architecture for Humanity brings design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed. More information on Architecture for Humanity’s Japan recovery efforts is available at: http://architectureforhumanity.org/updates/2011-03-12-sendai-quake-supporting-reconstruction.

Artists Help Japan is a San Francisco Bay Area-based charity movement, gathering the force of communities of artists and creative minds around the world. The project founder was also behind the 2008 Totoro Forest Project in Japan. The fund is responding to the immediate needs of survivors, as well as short to long- term recovery projects undertaken by the affected communities. Artists Help Japan is partnering with Give2Asia, which has a local team based in Tokyo to assess the current situation and to obtain information on the needs of survivors. More information on Artists Help Japan and Give2Asia’s recovery efforts is available at: http://give2asia.org/artistshelp.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and website at http://www.viz.com/.