Japan fundraiser in Arlington Hts. taking shape

Suburban performers will join a Japanese singer and radio personality and other groups for the charity event the Mid America Japanese Club plans for victims of the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Money raised at the June 11 fundraiser in Arlington Heights will go to the Japanese Red Cross, which is building temporary housing for people still living in schools and other shelters, said Mike Koyama, president of the club.

Kazume Mizuki of Hoffman Estates will perform classic Japanese dance. A parents choir from the Futabakai School in Arlington Heights will sing, and students will perform sohran dance.

Aya Uchida, a singer and radio personality in Japan, will be featured, and there will also be traditional Japanese drumming and harp playing.

The event is called “Gambaro, Nippon,” which the club is translating “Let’s Do Our Best! Japan.” It will be held 2-5 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Community Education is also a sponsor.

Due to space, fewer than 500 tickets can be sold for the event, said Koyama. However, people who do not get tickets can purchase T-shirts or toys that will be sold that day or can donate by sending checks. Donations and ticket orders can be sent to the club, MAJC, at Suite 2127, 855 E. Golf Road, Arlington Heights, 60005. Call the Community Education center at (847) 718-7702.

The Japan Festival that is usually held at this time will return next year, but it was not considered appropriate to celebrate while so many people are still suffering, said Jay Shimotake, outgoing president of the club.

The festival traditionally draws many local residents who are not Japanese, and it is hoped this fundraiser will serve as an opportunity for them to donate, said Shimotake.

Koyama said he is very happy with the way people in the suburbs are responding with donations.

“People all over the world are helping. Sometimes it moves me to tears,” he said.

Fumio Adachi, a club director, said the help of the U.S. military was very impressive. They called it Operation Tomodachi, which means friendship, he said.

It is frustrating to people in America that the only way they can help is by giving money, said Shimotake. Koyama said people all over the world are also sending words of support, often by email.

In the suburbs Mitsuwa Japanese Market in Arlington Heights is collecting funds for the relief effort, and smaller projects just as events at Japanese restaurants have been going on, said Fumio Adachi, a director of the club.

The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago accepts donations. The organization has matched at least the first $500,000 and will be sending more than $1 million to Japan.