Miliyah Kato, Mai Kuraki to perform at 'LOVE in Action Meeting' for Red Cross

Mai Kuraki

TOKYO — The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has announced the addition of two big names in Japanese entertainment - Miliyah Kato and Mai Kuraki – to its 2011 “LOVE in Action Meeting” event to be held in June this year at the Budokan in Tokyo.

The upcoming live performance in June is part of JRCS’s initiative “Love in Action Project,” launched first in 2009, to promote blood donation awareness among Japan’s young generation. In recent years, the number of young people donating blood has decreased.

JRCS officials, together with the cooperation of the government, have publicly begun to acknowledge the threat of possible future blood donation shortages. With the launch of “LOVE in Action Meeting,” organizers hope that more young Japanese will become aware of the importance of donating blood.

JRCS has announced that 8,000 people will receive free invitations to the concert, and winners will be selected via a drawing. Those who are interested can apply via JRCS’ website (see below).

Kato and Kuraki will be joined by other popular musicians and idol groups such as Shota Shimizu and all-girl group AKB48.

Application for free tickets can be made until Sunday May 8.

Website: http://ken-love.jp
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Satomi Ishihara, other Horipro stars raise emergency relief funds

Satomi Ishihara, right, and Sei Ashina ask for earthquake relief donations in front of the Parco store in Shibuya.
SANKEI

TOKYO — Actress Satomi Ishihara, 24, and 80 other “talents” from Horipro Entertainment, gathered in front of Parco department store in Shibuya over the weekend for the “You are the one who rings the bell” emergency relief donation event, the name of which is borrowed from Akiko Wada’s 1972 famous top single.

“I wanted to contribute in some way myself,” said Ishihara, who added that she was happy to chat with everyone who donated and share their concerns about the ongoing crisis.

Fukushima-born actress and ex-model Sei Ashina, 27, and comedian duo Tanpopo’s Kumiko Shiratori, 29, also participated in the event. “I am very grateful for everyone’s help,” said Ashina, whose parents and siblings currently live in emergency shelters in Sendai.

The total amount of collected donations reached 1,643,500 yen. Some of the Horipro team also went to Shinjuku on Sunday.

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