http://www.asahi.com/special/10005/NGY201103190004.html
http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2011/03/20/p1_0003879398.shtml

Quote:

March 19, Takahiko Kozuka of Toyota told that his fellow skaters of Japanese Worlds team have plans to hold a charity show and raise money for the earthquake/tsunami relief efforts. Kozuka graduated from Chukyo University in Nagoya that day. Right after the disaster, Kozuka talked to Mao Asada, Daisuke Takahashi and the other national team skaters and discussed what they can do to relieve the afflicted people. He got approval from them and they will work out details later.

Translated by safina_chos from the ontd comm.

And from the recent interview with Nobunari Oda:

Quote:

Q: Is there anything you plan to do to help the situation caused by the earthquake, such as charity? A: Of course, I have an idea. All of the skaters want to do something. Once we put those ideas together, we'd like to put them into shape.

http://www.boom-sports.com/
Translated by originallove from ontd.

It's so great that the Japanese team thought of doing something to help raise the money!

Now I just hope that the fate of the Worlds will be decided quickly, so that the skaters can start planning the event without being afraid to have it coincide with Worlds or impede the skaters' training. ISU, please get your act together!

I'll be looking forward to seeing what they do

There's going to be a figure skating fund raiser for Japan (in the US looks like), but no mention of any notable names:
http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2011/04/14/pettit-center-to-host-japan-fundraiser.html

http://evgeni-plushenko.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=250#p50718
One in Russia as well!
Plushenko, Lambiel and Miki along with many others (..according to the link..)!
Hope we get some clips later on!

Charity event will be held in Toyohashi, Aichi on May 7th.

Participants will be 8 female skaters including Mao and Kanako and 6 male skaters including Taka-chan and Mura.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b59RKU5h99o

Taka-chan says, "We will give the very best performances we can to show our sympathy to the people in the affected areas."

According to news articles, Akiko and Yuzuru will also participate in the charity event to be held on May 7th in Toyohashi. The show will be held two times, in the morning and in the afternoon. Tickets sales will start on April 22. The Aichi Federation requests the audience to refrain from throwing flower bouquets and using banners for athletes. As reported earlier, Taka-chan called for a charity event and invited other athletes to join him.

http://mainichi.jp/area/aichi/news/20110421ddlk23040071000c.html
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news/20110421-OYT1T00347.htm?from=navr
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/p-sp-tp0-20110421-764233.html

I wonder if a TV station in Aichi has a plan to broadcast it. I hope to see some video footage of the event, even if the whole event is not broadcasted.

I'm very impressed with the Japanese skaters' contribution to the victims of the earthquake. Everyone does his best to help: raising money in the shows, bringing needed things and encouraging people (Shizuka), even organizing entire events. Nobu, who could not participate in the skating events before Worlds because he had to leave Japan to train in Canada came up with the idea of raisong money and the train station together with other skaters (Takeshi Honda and Yamato Tamura). And there will still be more events after Worlds!

Great job, Team Japan! Your country is lucky to have you.

So the show is today, right? Is it known whether it will be on tv or not and when if so? I already start to miss Mao skating...

http://www.47news.jp/CN/201105/CN2011050701000315.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHI0QOiGCqY

Dai & Nobu joined the show as "surprise guests". (I thought Dai's participation was announced earlier though.)

They had a improvised　quad contest at the end of the show. (I really want to watch it!! )

Tickets for about 2300 seats for the two shows were sold out. The ticket revenue and raised money will be donated.

Skaters also raised fund to support the victims.


Hope there will be more clips and TV broadcast of the event.


ETA: http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/news/20110508k0000m050041000c.html

ETA2: According to twitter, Taka-chan said a few words at the opening of the first show. But, he forgot some lines. He turned around and looked at Dai and Mao for help. They say he's soooo cute!

Thanks linglang!

linglang wrote:

They had a improvised　quad contest at the end of the show. (I really want to watch it!! )

Did Mao take part too? The girl never says no to a challenge so I guess it is possible?

polosatik wrote:

Maoooooooooooooooo..... I missed her so much!!! I want videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Till the start of Worlds Ex I hoped they invited Mao to skate there

We have seen Mao skate just a week ago. I don't even want to think how much we will miss her in the full off season!

Skaters raising money after the show: http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2011/05/07/jpeg/G20110507000772710_view.jpg

Gosh, you can say I am doing everything possible just not to write my thesis .