Henkel supports earthquake victims in Japan

Makoto Tamaki, President of Henkel Japan, visited Dr. Hidekiyo Tachiya, Mayor of Souma City, Fukushima Prefecture and other city officials in December 2011, to formally present cars and money donated by Henkel to the victims of last year’s terrible earthquake. Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted also had some encouraging words for the Mayor which he expressed in a personal letter.

The financial assistance which came up to the total sum of 105,000 Euros was donated to the city to assist in ongoing relief measures after the earthquake: One part of the money was appropriated for the purchase of seven cars, the remaining amount was donated to the Children’s Education and Development Fund.

Hidekiyo Tachiya expressed his gratitude to Henkel CEO Kasper Rorsted and all Henkel employees who aided in the donations and also seized the opportunity to inform all the donors that the cars are used everyday in actively helping people in the recovery work. “Over 5,500 people were affected by the disaster. 457 people died and 2 were still missing.” the Mayor stated. “Everyday, our helpers use your cars to visit people living in 1,500 temporary homes to provide support. Those affected include over 300 people who are handicapped and 200 who are elderly. The lady helpers are particularly grateful for the Henkel donation in providing cars they actually need with excellent agility.” The money donated for the city’s Children’s Education and Development Fund will be put towards helping children, some of whom lost their parents in the disaster.

Representing Henkel, Makoto Tamaki recapitulated that the company was also affected by the disaster and therefore all Henkel employees worldwide were pleased to be able to lend a helping hand to the city’s recovery effort. In the wake of the earthquake and all the infrastructural and financial misfortune that befell the residents of Souma City, Henkel was also grateful to be able to deploy some specific and useful aid to the affected area. This was therefore a great opportunity to be useful in a city, which was struck by the natural disaster, and where family members of Henkel employees lived.

Henkel’s collaboration with the city of Souma stemmed from an Isogo ATT employee Kenji Shimaoka, whose family members live in Souma. 6 of the 7 cars bearing the logo “Donated by Henkel” had already been delivered. Souma is currently considered a “model city” in the recovery work and Mayor Tachiya’s leadership was praised by the former Prime Minister Asō Tarō. The city now attracts a remarkable amount of national and international attention. The city was selected for a visit by the Emperor & the Empress of Japan and foreign officials keen to see the recovery effort. A group from Hong Kong was visiting after Henkel’s charitable visit with the intention of formally lifting the travel ban.