
From June 9-12, volunteers delivered cash, relief goods and a letter of support from Master Cheng Yen to thousands survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Tzu Chi were the first charity to distribute money directly to those involved, who have not yet received funds from their government, even three months after the disaster. Japan's top-selling newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, reported the Tzu Chi operation.
On the morning of June 8, more than 110 volunteers, from Taiwan and Japan, rose at five in the morning, put on their blue and white uniforms and set off for the distribution sites in Iwate prefecture in northeast Japan. There were two places – Kamaishi and Rikuzentakata, both badly hit by the earthquake and tsunami.
On the morning of June 9, at the survivors management headquarters in Kamaishi, many people waited patiently under the hot sun for the distribution. The only sound was that of shoes walking on the ground; the volunteers marveled at the order and self-discipline of the Japanese people. Many thought that the money would be deposited into their bank account and only discovered at the site that Tzu Chi would give the funds directly to them. Many found it hard to believe and felt very comforted. Some plan to use the money toward building of a new home, while one old man said: "finally, I can buy sushi."

One of the main organizers of the event was Masafumi Kumagai, a department chief at the Rikuzentakata city hall. After the disaster, he played a very active role in raising money and seeking goods for the relief effort. With his effort, Tzu Chi could held the relief distributions on May 26 and 27 to eight places in the city. During those events, the foundation earned the trust of the city government and people, enabling it to organise the large-scale distributions in June.

During the distribution, each volunteer ate only instant rice and often took their meals in the car. They all cherished this opportunity to make a contribution to Japan.
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Older news items:
- Tzu Chi Prepares Aid Distribution for 9,000 Households in Japan
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