(日本語は下記にあります。）

On Jan. 1, 2024, a large 7.6M earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, about 75 miles (120 km) from the capital Kanazawa. This was the largest and deadliest earthquake to strike Japan since 2011 and the damage is severe throughout the prefecture, particularly in the Noto Pennisula where recovery will be a long and difficult effort.

As we approach the final stretch of our fundraising goal, we’d like to announce the release of “Ride the Wind” a collaborative charity song for the cause by Japanese rock band The Molice and Buffalo's alternative rockers Letter to Elise.

The Molice had lived and performed in Buffalo for several years before Covid-19 forced them to return to Japan. Vocalist Rinko, who is from Kanazawa, was in her hometown during the quake on Jan. 1, and many of her relatives and acquaintances are still displaced as evacuees. With damage so widespread and severe, recovery is expected to take significant time.

Eager to help after the disaster, The Molice reached out to their label Good Charamel Records and worked with Letter to Elise and GCR Audio in Buffalo to produce this track to raise awareness and relief funds in collaboration with JapanWNY. The cover features stamp art of Ishikawa's largest mountain Hakusan, created by Kanazawa artist and Rinko's late grandmother Tokimi Kasahara.

Bringing together many people across borders and time, this initiative aims to provide healing and garner support for the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in Ishikawa. We kindly request that you contribute what you can and help spread the word.

"Ride the Wind" is now available for streaming at Good Charamel Records. As a token of gratitude, all supporters gain immediate access to downloadable high-quality versions of the track.

LINKS
Lyrics (English/日本語)
The Molice
Letter to Elise

About JapanWNY
JapanWNY operates the Buffalo-Kanazawa Sister City Committee, one of the longest continually running Japan-US organizations in the country. As Kanazawa is the capital and largest city in Ishikawa Prefecture, we set up this fund to collect donations for our friends in Kanazawa and Ishikawa Prefecture as a whole after this terrible disaster.

About the Fund
100% of funds collected will go to the government-designated Ishikawa Prefecture Community Chest, 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. Your contribution, regardless of amount, is immensely appreciated and is tax deductible. If making a donation isn't feasible for you, we kindly ask that you share this campaign with your friends and family.

（日本語）

2024年1月1日、石川県能登半島でマグニチュード7.6の大地震が発生しました。この地震は、2011年以降で最大かつ最も死者数の多い地震であり、県内全域、特に能登半島での被害は甚大で、復興には長く困難な努力が必要であります。

募金活動も残りわずかとなりましたが、日本のロックバンド、The Moliceとバッファローのオルタナティヴ・ロックバンド、Letter to Eliseのコラボレーションによるチャリティーソング「Ride the Wind」を発表いたします。

The Moliceは、Covid-19（コロナウイルス）によって日本への帰国を余儀なくされるまでの数年間、バッファローに住み、演奏活動を行っていました。金沢出身のRinkoさん(Vo.)は1月1日の地震の際、地元におり、彼女の親戚や知人の多くが避難民として今も避難しています。被害が広範囲かつ深刻な為、復興にはかなりの時間が掛かると予想されます。

震災後の支援を熱望していたThe Moliceは、彼らのレーベルであるGood Charamel Recordsに連絡を取り、バッファローのLetter to EliseとGCR Audioと協力して、JapanWNYとの協力のもと、意識向上と救援金集めの為にこの曲を制作しました。ジャケットには、金沢のアーティストであり、Rinkoさんの亡き祖母でもある笠原時美が描いた石川県最大の山、白山の切手アートが使用されています。

国境や時間を超えて多くの人々が集い、石川県の復興と再建のために癒しと支援を提供する事を目的としています。皆さまのご協力をお願いいたします。

"Ride the Wind "はGood Charamel Recordsにてストリーミング配信中です。感謝の気持ちを込めて、サポーターの皆さんは、この曲の高音質バージョンをすぐにダウンロードすることができます。

JapanWNYについて
JapanWNYはバッファロー・金沢姉妹都市委員会を運営しています。金沢市は石川県の県庁所在地であり、最大の都市であることから、今回の震災後、金沢市および石川県全体の友人達に義援金を集める為、この基金を設立しました。

基金詳細について
集まった義援金は100％、国の指定する石川県共同募金会「2024年能登半島地震災害義援金」に寄付されます。
寄付は金額にかかわらず、米国で税控除の対象となります。寄付が難しい場合は、友人やご家族にこのキャンペーンをご紹介くださいますよう、宜しくお願いいたします。

---

2/22 Update: Here are the latest official tallies from Ishikawa Prefecture.
1429 injuries (241 deaths)
78402 homes damaged, 14935 other structures damaged (6023 total homes/structures damaged in Kanazawa)
With the full extent of damage becoming known, it's clear that recovery will be a long and difficult effort...

Here's a translation of the most recent statement from Kanazawa Mayor Takashi Murayama:

I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and my deepest sympathies to the many affected by this disaster. I would also like to recognize those working hard to support recovery in affected areas and re-iterate that we in the City of Kanazawa will do our utmost for the earliest possible restoration and recovery.

First, we are ensuring the safety of disaster victims and supporting them in rebuilding their lives while we work to fully restore public infrastructure such as roads, cliffs, and sewer facilities. In addition, we are also making efforts to support the Noto disaster area by hosting evacuees from Noto and transporting relief supplies.

At the same time, we are seeing a difficult impact on the local economy, as events and meetings have been canceled out of consideration for the affected areas. While we ask that everyone continue to be mindful of those affected by the disaster, we encourage citizens and visitors to support local businesses without excessive restraint.

---

1/9 Update: Thank you so much for all your support. Here is the latest assessment from Kanazawa:
Injuries: 9 slightly injured
Building damage: 4 houses completely destroyed by landslides. Numerous municipal residences, city facilities, and art galleries and museums suffered damage to ceilings & exterior walls. Extensive road damage.
Evacuation shelters: 6 shelters set up, with 24 people currently evacuated.
Support for Noto: Kanazawa Fire Department dispatched support teams to Wajima City and Anamizu Town. Kanazawa City dispatched doctors, nurses, and clerical staff to Shiga Town.

Note that donations made through JapanWNY are tax deductible in the US. Supporters in Japan can donate directly to the Community Chest account below to qualify for tax deductions in Japan (see Ishikawa Prefecture's website for details)

口座名義	銀行名	口座番号
社会福祉法人石川県共同募金会令和6年能登半島地震災害義援金	北國銀行県庁支店	普通預金28600

We're seeking a generous corporate sponsor in Western New York to match donations or support the cause. If you have connections or are interested in serving this crucial role, please reach out to us–Your kindness can make a significant impact.

(More updates will be posted as information becomes available.)

1/3:
Due to the New Years Holiday, the extent of damage is still being assessed but in Kanazawa, there are reports of minor injuries, along with damage to multiple homes and notable sites including Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and Onohiyoshi Shrine. Additionally, roads, train tracks, and water infrastructure in and around the city have suffered significant damage. Closer to the epicenter in the Noto Pennisula, the damage is severe, particulary in Wajima and Suzu cities. Many roads remain impassable.

About the Japan Culture Center of Western New York (JapanWNY)
JapanWNY is the umbrella organization of the Buffalo-Kanazawa Sister City Committee. In 2022, we celebrated our 60th anniversary with a series of events and performances in Buffalo, along with a restoration of the Japanese Garden in Delaware Park. We organize regular exchange events with Kanazawa and Japanese arts and cultural programming in WNY.

Contact: events@japanwny.org

2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Relief

By The Japan Culture Center of WNY Inc.

2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Relief

Aid for Kanazawa City and Ishikawa Prefecture