Major entertainment agency Watanabe Entertainment, whose 130 groups comprise of 200 talents, including Nakayama Hideyuki (43), Honjamaka, and Nakagawa Shoko (25), announced on March 15th the�"WAE Charity Project '~To our circle~ Now is the time to band together!'"

This project is aimed at donating 100,000,000 yen (about $1.2 million USD) to relief efforts for the victims of the earthquake disaster.

In addition to the company's 100,000,000 yen, all of the agency's members will be participating in charity auctions online beginning the afternoon of the 18th, and will be offering signed personal items as needed.

They will be also be soliciting donations from fans, and the fees for D*DATE's ringtones will be donated, as well as the fees for sets of phone standby images from Nakagawa and Shirota Yu (25).

According to Nakayama, their reason for teaming up was, "Because it's a time like this, I think everyone was thinking about what they each could do for the disaster victims."

Details about the project can be found at the official site.

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<Messages From The Agency's Members>



Nakagawa Shoko:
"Let's help out by doing whatever we can. And let's make smiles bloom on people's faces!"




Nakayama Hideyuki:
"To put it in simple terms: conserve energy! If everyone does it together, it will lend great power to changing things. Let's cooperate for the sake of those who are doing their best in the disaster area. I'm wishing that everyone can return to their usual routine as quickly as possible."




Honjamaka's Ishidzuka Hidehiko:
"If there's anything I can do, I'd like to do whatever I can. I think it gets especially colder at night, but please don't give up and do your best! "



Honjamaka's Megumi Toshiaki:
"What is it that's most needed by the disaster victims and those working in various places for them without sleeping? I want to do as much as I can. I want to let them know. That's why we're banding together."



Marcia:
"My heart hurts every time I see the news. In Tokyo, people are buying up all the food due to anxiety. Let's try to stay as calm as possible. Let's share with everyone. I hope that peace will return even one day quicker."



Nasubi:
"My hometown... is the Fukushima that has currently been torn apart by the earthquake's damage. To everyone who has suffered so much damage, the ways I can help are very limited, but even from Tokyo I want to do as much as I can to support you."



Shirota Yu:
"Just like everyone else, we can't live without love. Now is the time for our hearts to be one. You are not alone."



AKB48's Kashiwagi Yuki:
"If I can be even a little help, I want to do whatever I can. Now is the time for us to be one and support each other!"



AKB48's Takajo Aki:
"I always get powered up by seeing everyone's smiles. I want to send the power of smiles back to everyone!"



AKB48's Kuramochi Asuka:
"In order to help even a little bit to save many people, I'll do what I can with all my might."



AKB48's Sato Natsuki:
"I'm full of frustration at the fact that all I can do is watch the TV and can't really know how you all are... But you're not alone! We're all with you! Please don't forget how to smile... I'm praying that we can save even just one more person."



Idoling!!!'s Miyake Hitomi:
"When the earthquake hit, I was on location in Ibaraki, and my body was filled with fear when I felt the powerful tremors. There might still be terrible days to come, but I'm praying that everyone's smiles will return soon."

Source: Sanspo

Source & Photos: Watanabe Entertainment Official Site