Helping victims of the Japanese tsunami

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan had a devastating effect and we wanted to do something to help children overcome the hardship caused by these events. We joined up with the Save the Children charity to help bring about the mid to long term recovery that will ensure a bright future for children across the affected regions.

Establishing the Restart Japan Fund

With Save the Children Japan we established the Restart Japan Fund. The money raised will help the charity to provide aid, recovery and assistance – with a focus on psychological care, education and creative activities – for children across Japan.

RESTART charity single with TUBE

As a first step, we made a record for charity called RESTART, to support the recovery effort. The song was written and produced by the Japanese artists TUBE – signed to Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc – and 173 celebrities who felt strongly enough about this cause to participate in the recording. Profits were donated to the Restart Japan Fund.

Beach Soccer Charity Match Brazil versus Japan

To support the Restart Japan Fund we recently held a charity event – Sony Presents Beach Soccer Charity Match Brazil versus Japan – in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The national beach soccer teams of Japan and Brazil, played alongside an exhibition match that attracted some of the best Brazilian football stars of the past, including Cafu, Ronaldo, and Alcindo. Proceeds from the event went to the Restart Japan Fund.

We also sent invitations to children in areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and poverty-stricken districts of Rio de Janeiro. Children who participated in the event used Play Station 3 (PS3) equipment with a hook-up between Japan and Brazil for a video chat with their families back in Japan.

Find out more about Save the Children

Find out more about Restart Japan