The City of Soma with the population of 5,249, located 25 miles north of the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear-power plant, lost 475 citizens in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami incident. And 44 children under 18-year old became orphans.
Among 44 orphans, 9 are children of citizens who volunteered as rescue workers as known as shobodan in Japanese.
The City Council of Soma recently voted to establish the Soma City Earthquake Disaster Orphan Scholarship Fund to provide 30,000 yen ($360) every month to each orphan until they would become the age of 18.
The City of Soma is now accepting donations from overseas for the fund.
The following are details of how to send your donation to Soma:
Bank: Toho Bank Ltd.
Swift Code: TOHOJPJT
Branch Name: Soma Branch
Account Number: 0126-502-1033249
Beneficiary’s Name in Japanese (account name): somashi saigaikoji shienkin
English translation of Beneficiary’s Name: The Soma City Earthquake Disaster Orphan Scholarship Fund
The telephone number of donors is requested to write in the remittance memo.
In Japan, donations to this fund are tax deductible. A receipt for your donation is available on request.
The postal mailing address of this fund is following:
Soma City Financial Section
Aza Otesaki 13, Nakamura
Soma City, Fukushima 976-8601 Japan