After the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in Japan last March, LSU’s own Yoshinori, Kenta, and Shota Kamo have been able to send a tremendous amount of aid to Japan through innovative fundraisers and the help of the LSU community.
Yoshinori Kamo, associate sociology professor, and his two sons, Kenta and Shota, have raised more than $25,000 to help restore the country.
The Japanese people are still in great need, Yoshinori said.
“Shelters closed in late April and May. People are returning to homes without a first floor,” he said. “There is a very pensive mood. … People are almost depressed.”
Yoshinori was born in Japan and moved to the U.S. when he was 25. Kenta and Shota were both raised in the U.S. but spent summers in Japan and feel a strong tie to the country.
Kenta, an international trade and finance junior, designed a T-shirt and organized a fundraiser while Shota, a University alumnus, helped organize Bogie’s Japan Relief Palooza last March.
Kenta’s fundraiser, “Hope, Help, Heal,” has been incredibly successful.
“The T-shirt fund really went off. We’ve sold more than 1,300 shirts,” he said. “We really weren’t expecting it to be this successful. Our original goal was to raise $10,000 so we’re very excited about it.”
Yoshinori also sold 117 T-shirts in June while guest lecturing on a Japanese cruise ship, bringing the count to 1,327 shirts.
The shirts have also been distributed in Slovenia using Kenta’s design. Yoshinori was not sure how many shirts were sold in Slovenia but noted that Slovenian people are friendly with the Japanese and are eager to help the struggling nation.
“It has been awesome to see all the support from not only in Baton Rouge and LSU but all over the world,” Kenta said. “We’ve received numerous orders out of the state and some even from out of the country.”
The money raised by “Hope, Help, Heal” T-shirt sales has helped purchase shoes, washer and dryer machines, tents, rice cookers, futons and food.
On Monday, Yoshinori spent $1,500 of donated funds on bicycles.
“They are just asking for basic stuff. … The people are now on their own without help from the shelters,” Yoshinori said.
Kenta and Shota were also involved in a translation from Japanese to English for the ebook “Save Fukushima, Save Our Future — 200 Voices.”
The ebook is a compilation of tweets from Japanese citizens in response to the earthquake. Proceeds are being donated to victims of the Tohoku earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Yoshinori encouraged people to continue to support the Japanese.
“People outside of Japan need to realize that they need to help get the economy going,” Yoshinori said. “Most people just don’t want to.”
Kenta said he will continue raising money as long as there is an interest in his shirt design.
“There’s no question that people in Japan still need help,” Kenta said. “I’m also planning on checking out the damaged areas when I go to Japan in July. I don’t know what it’s going to be like, but I’m sure it will be an experience.”
For more information, visit hopeforjapantshirts.com.
 
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Contact Laura Furr at [email protected]