March 11th, 2011 - A month later...

March 11th 2011.

It's been a month since then. It seems like a lot more time has passed. It also feels like like a lot less time has passed.

In this past month, most of us, far away from Japan, have carried on with our lives. Japan gets less coverage now than in those first few days after the disaster, and what there is is mostly focused on the Fukushima I nuclear power plant and the troubles there. We hear a lot less about the thousands of people who have died, the thousands still missing, the thousands left homeless, the thousands who lost loved ones, the thousands who despite being alive, have still lost pretty much their whole lives. For them, life will go on because it has to. But things will never go back to the way they were. They can't. And yet, they - and for that matter, all the Japanese people - are taking that in their stride and making the best of it. I can only admire them for that.

Well, I can also try to help as well. We all can. Be it financially or morally, we can support the people in need. Every kind thought and every small gesture counts in helping those people face their future and rebuild their lives and their homes.

Many of your favorite artists have also decided to help, as they can. Be it YOSHIKI's auctioning off his piano (as well as other autographed items, both by him and US celebrities). Be it the STAND UP! JAPAN event held earlier this month and broadcasted online, where several artists played and most of them offered personal items to be auctioned. Be it ToshI's charity concerts across Japan, which also include auctions of X JAPAN members' personal items. Be it SUGIZO's working as a volunteer in the damaged areas (you can read his thoughts and feelings on that on his official blog; keep checking his official Facebook for an English translation, which is likely to be published soon). Be it LUNA SEA's release of a digital song, written after the event, and which can be downloaded from many places around the world, the money raised from that to be donated. Be it "Show your heart", initiated by GACKT, but which by now has gathered the support of MANY artists, and which both raised money and held an auction on March 31st, but is also gathering support messages from people all around the world, as videos and pictures. Perhaps participating in the various auctions is impossible for overseas fans, both for practical and financial reasons, but the last two are far more accessible. There are certainly many more efforts, and you can also try contacting the red cross in your own country and see if they are accepting donations for Japan.

That I am here writing this, that you are here reading this, it's all because we love Japan. So, let's all show our love to Japan, as much as each of us can, now when they need it the most. It will be a long time before things get better in the damaged areas, so they can certainly use any and all support they can get for a long time to come. So we encourage fans of Japanese music, Japanese entertainment and of course, people who want to help in general, to help as they can, too. Be it through donations, buying LUNA SEA's song or taking a few minutes to send a message to "Show your heart," your gesture will surely be appreciated.

Thank you.