Canon Group donates 30 million yen to aid Japan earthquake relief efforts

Canon Group have just announced they will be donating 30 million yen (approximately US$206,900) to the Japanese Red Cross Society, to assist in the relief efforts following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake which occurred on the 1st January 2024.

The earthquake, recorded at a magnitude of 7.6, has led to an official death toll of 92 (as of Friday), with nearly 250 further people missing and assumed trapped under buildings. Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have 4,600 troops on the ground assisting with relief and rescue, helping to look for the missing and assisting the tens of thousands who are still without power and water.

The Japanese Red Cross Society, the recipient of Canon’s donation, have released a report outlining the situation in detail and their response. Within just 3 days of the earthquake, the Red Cross had distributed nearly 10,000 blankets, 3,400 portable toilets, and 5 Disaster Medical Coordination teams were deployed to the area.

However, their report also brings to light to scale of the disaster. “The Japanese Government applied the Disaster Relief Act towards 35 cities, 11 towns and 1 village in 4 prefectures,” and over 700 residential buildings are reported to be collapsed/damaged, leading to 35,000 people currently residing in evacuation centres.

You can read Canon’s full press release here.

Update: Shortly after Canon published their donation press release, Nikon announced they too are donating 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society. Read their press release here.