Today, April 27, Japanese rock star/philanthropist Yoshiki announced he's donated 10 million yen (about $100,000) to his home country's National Center for Global Health and Medicine through his non-profit organization, Yoshiki Foundation America. The generous contribution comes during a vital time in the global fight against COVID-19, and when the cases in Japan have drastically increased in April.
According to data aggregated by covid19japan.com, as of today, there are over 11,170 active coronavirus cases in Japan and have been 372 deaths caused by it. As the press release explains, the country's NCGM researches autoimmune/infectious diseases, including the coronavirus, and their Center Hospital has the largest capacity to support coronavirus patients. Additionally, as the release said, "Now that there are over 10,000 coronavirus cases in Japan, the health system is likely to collapse. Fearing this situation, Yoshiki has donated to support frontline healthcare providers."
"In America, where I live, there have been over 54,000 coronavirus deaths. It's so sad. I heard that, unfortunately, the virus has also been spreading in Japan. It saddens me that people working in the entertainment industry, including myself, as well as people from many other industries, are economically and psychologically stressed because nobody knows when things will settle down. However, I believe that the people we should be supporting are the healthcare workers who are treating coronavirus patients as we speak. I wanted to support as much as I could," the X Japan founder said in a statement, also stressing the importance of quarantining and social distancing:
"I want people, including myself, to remember that the actions of everyone who's enduring staying home are contributing thousands of times more to the healthcare workers than what I have donated. I will also do my best as a musician to support people."
"Our center aims to contribute to the health and welfare of people in Japan and all around the world through the fields of medical care, research, education, and international cooperation," an official statement from the NCGM reads.
"Our mission includes the identification, assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and development of cutting-edge treatments for infectious diseases and other diseases, as well as promoting the development of medical supplies and equipment to make it possible to apply those treatments in clinical sites. We believe that this is exactly what Yoshiki has been supporting. Our staff members will continue their dedicated efforts to overcome the critical situation Japan is facing today."
Just last month, the rock hero donated another $100,000 to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, to support those in the music industry hit hardest by the coronavirus shutdowns. Also in March, he gave $24,000 to the Los Angeles branch of Meals On Wheels to help keep his elderly and immobilized neighbors fed during quarantine. Also this year, he and his foundation gave $10 million yen to the Japan Red Cross and a combined $100,000 to Australian Wildfire Relief and the Rainforest Trust.
On March 24, along with will.i.am, Bono and Jennifer Hudson, Yoshiki released "#SING4LIFE," an uplifting song, inspired by Italians singing from their balconies, to promote hope and remote collaboration. Watch the video above for the fun track, made from each artist's respective quarantine locations.
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