Cranes for Japan site invites support for beleaguered country

While those who felt the full impact of the disaster in the north of Japan need immediate practical support, many indirectly affected people in the rest of Japan have indicated that they most need to hear words of support from friends around the world.

To this end the industry has established a site to enable people to share their message of hope regardless of their geographic location.

The site, www.1000cranes4japan.org, was developed by teams from Proximity in Canada, Japan and Singapore and is based on an ancient Japanese legend that promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes (senbazuru) will be granted a wish by a crane, such as recovery from illness or injury.

Visitors to the site can make monetary donations and, as a mark of solidarity with Japan, are encouraged to create a supportive message, or multiple messages to make up thousands of such cranes. They are asked to share the site with friends, family and colleagues and on Facebook and Twitter feeds.

A number of agencies and brands in Japan and abroad have initiated programmes to aid the relief efforts.