The Government of Japan decided to offer 100,000 yen per person as relief payment for COVID-19 response. All cabinet members have decided not to accept the payments for themselves. There are also many individuals from the general public volunteering to decline the payments with hopes the funds will be used elsewhere for a good cause.
For those well-wishers who would like to contribute their relief payments, A-PAD Japan would like to ask for donations to our COVID-19 emergency assistance to support front line health care workers.
You can donate to A-PAD Japan through Furusato Nozei ("Hometown tax" scheme)
Through Furusato Nozei, eligible individuals can receive a tax deduction in Japan for their next year's resident and income taxes.
Funds raised through Furusato Nozei will be used to procure medical equipment including masks and protective suits for medical and welfare facilities. Our assistance will also include provision of trailer offices and tents for triage posts to prevent cluster infections inside hospitals, and patient transfer operations from remote islands in case of critical cases.
Airborne Rescue & Relief Operations With Search (ARROWS), comprised of A-PAD Japan and partner organizations, has donated 900,000 masks to medical and welfare facilities across Japan from February to April.
ARROWS received many thank you messages.
"In February, our mask supply was down to 10 so we kept the remaining masks in a safe box. We started wearing masks all the time in March to prevent cluster infections inside the hospital but our weekly mask supply was only 2 masks per person at the NICU. Our staff washed the disposable masks and recycled them.
In NICU, many babies are fighting for their lives every day. If there is a cluster infection outbreak in the NICU, it would be difficult to save their lives.
No matter the circumstance, there will always be new lives entering the world and there is no future in a country where children are not cherished. Not only did the mask donation assist our NICU staff for COVID-19 prevention, but the assistance encouraged our spirits to continue our work. Thank you very much." (Doctor from Kanagawa Children's Medical Center)
We would love to receive your messages of support to front line health care workers with your donations. Your messages will be sent along with medical equipment to hospitals and welfare centers.