Key Points
- Kuniaki Yamada, a resident of Yatsushiro City, launched a donation initiative on the “note” platform to support Kumamoto earthquake victims.
- The initiative allows for donations starting at just 100 yen, aiming to lower the psychological and procedural barriers to giving.
- Yamada personally covers the platform’s transaction fees to ensure that the full 100 yen from each donor reaches the relief efforts.
- 8bitNews has developed and published a real-time information map detailing the operational status of medical institutions in Yatsushiro and Hikawa.
Full Transcript (English)
Host (Aoi Kamai): Good evening, everyone. This is the video podcast program “Breaking Borders” (Breboda). I am journalist Fuki Kamai. This program looks back at a week of news, crossing various boundaries from local to global, and explores what “I” can do to help find solutions and take that first step. This week, we are broadcasting from Hachi-Suta, the 8bitNews studio in Odate City, Akita Prefecture. I have been reporting in Akita since Sunday, and today I am joined by a guest who has traveled here with me. He is the MC of “Setofura,” which broadcasts every Wednesday from a studio in Okayama, and is from Setouchi Co., Ltd.—Mr. Kuniaki Yamada. Welcome.
Guest (Kuniaki Yamada): Thank you for having me. It feels a bit different than usual, so I am a little nervous. Thank you.
Host: Thank you. Today, as shown in our thumbnail, we want to talk about the Kumamoto earthquake that struck this week with a maximum intensity of 7. While damage has been reported across various areas, Yatsushiro City has seen significant impact. Interestingly, Mr. Yamada actually moved to Yatsushiro City this spring. I believe your own home might have been affected?
Yamada: Yes, that is right. I hadn’t really made it public that I moved there, though I told people I met in person. There was no specific reason for keeping it quiet; I just live a life that involves a lot of traveling back and forth. My family and I moved to Kagami-machi in Yatsushiro City. Coincidentally, my child started summer vacation, so we decided to go on a trip. We had been traveling through various regions for about ten days and were just about to head back when the earthquake hit. Fortunately, there were no injuries in my family. However, many places I usually walk past have collapsed houses, and many people are in need of evacuation. I have been hearing from relatives and friends I’ve made there, and seeing photos via LINE. I am not there physically right now, but I can feel the weight of the situation.
Host: Since you just moved there this spring, you probably just finished buying new things for the house. Moving costs a lot of money, too.
Yamada: Yes. Compared to those who are still in dire situations, I feel very fortunate. But things I cherished, like my books, are all back there. It is simply painful and distressing.
Host: So, while you are currently working here in Akita, you have started a new initiative just about 30 or 40 minutes ago. Could you tell us about it?
Yamada: Yes. I don’t usually put myself out there like this, but I write daily on a platform called “note.” I have about 2,000 members who read my work regularly, and it reaches over a million people annually. I thought about what I could do. There are many great donation activities and relief funds already, but honestly, sometimes the process can be tedious—registering your credit card every time, looking up where to send money, or doing bank transfers. While services like PayPay and Yahoo have made it much easier, I felt “note” could do more. Many “note” users already have their payment information linked. I decided to publish a “paid note” for 100 yen. If people buy it, I will send that 100 yen directly to specific relief efforts. I will personally cover the platform fees, which are usually 15% to 25%. It has only been 30 minutes since I posted it, but about 25 people have already donated.
Host: 25 people in just 30 minutes. That is amazing.
Yamada: It hasn’t reached many people yet, but as it spreads, I hope more will join. The amount is important, but I also want to create a state where people are consciously remembering and not forgetting the victims in Kumamoto. When I update the note, donors get a notification, so I can keep them informed about the total amount and how many people have joined. I want to keep this interest alive.
Host: 100 yen is a price point that makes it very easy for people to take that first step.
Yamada: Exactly. I want this to be an entry point. Once someone gives 100 yen, they might become more interested and start researching how to donate directly. I wanted to find the lowest possible hurdle for that first step.
Host: And you mentioned these funds will go to Yatsushiro City?
Yamada: Yes, I think Yatsushiro is best. I’ve consulted with people active in Kumamoto, like those at Bridge Kumamoto, and it seems sending “condolence money” (gienkin) to the city is the most direct way to help those currently in trouble.
Host: It is a powerful use of your influence on “note.” Even people at the Odate City Hall told me they wanted to start using “note” because they saw your work. You are turning that influence into something positive.
Yamada: There are two main thoughts behind this. First, the people working hard in Kumamoto and Yatsushiro right now are truly amazing. If I had the strength, I would be there delivering supplies or working on the ground, but I might not be the most useful person physically. I thought about what I can do from my current position. Second, donating shouldn’t be something “special.” It should be like buying a meal for a friend who is short on cash or buying an ice cream for a child who dropped theirs. It is a natural action. On “note,” buying a good article is normal. I want donating to feel that natural.
Host: In your note, you wrote that 100 yen might seem small, but it can change the world. That message really resonated with me.
Yamada: I actually wrote and then deleted a part about Mr. Satan from Dragon Ball. He is a “weak” human compared to Goku, but in the end, he is the one who convinces the people of Earth to contribute their energy to the Spirit Bomb (Genki-dama). Goku and Vegeta couldn’t get everyone to help because they were just “strong guys,” but people trusted Mr. Satan. I think donations and crowdfunding are like a Spirit Bomb. It is about everyone giving a little bit of their energy to defeat a great evil—or in this case, a disaster. I want to be a catalyst for that.
Host: We will put the link in the description. Sharing the post is also a great way to help. Now, 8bitNews has also been active since the disaster. Jun Hori and Tomoyuki Mishima have been reporting from the ground. Since yesterday, we have published a “Medical Institution Reception Status Map” for Yatsushiro City and Hikawa Town. It covers 107 facilities, including 10 hospitals and 97 clinics, showing whether they are open, partially operational, or closed. We know people are anxious and might hesitate to go to the hospital during a disaster, so we consolidated this public information into one map. Please check it before heading out. Also, if you are unsure about calling an ambulance, you can dial #7119 (24 hours) or #8000 for children’s sudden illnesses. We have also linked a damage map by a company called Sagri, which shows road damage and other infrastructure issues. This is useful for volunteers and rescue teams to plan their routes.
Yamada: It is truly scary to speak out or take action during a disaster because of the risk of criticism or “flaming.” Even I felt that fear. People worry that their good intentions might be misunderstood or that they might cause trouble for the victims. But that feeling of wanting to help is a very good thing. I hope we can create a world where that impulse isn’t stopped by fear. I want to be someone who makes it easier for others to take that step.
Host: Thank you, Mr. Yamada. Your initiative is very encouraging. The donation period on “note” is until August 9th, so you can send the funds quickly, right?
Yamada: Yes, I want to get the money to them as soon as possible, so I set a short period of about one week. If it becomes a movement, we can do a second round.
Host: Thank you. We have been joined by Kuniaki Yamada of Setouchi Co., Ltd. Thank you very much.
Yamada: Thank you.
