SMAP give show time and donations to 3/11 victims

SMAP x SMAP was different in every way on March 21 because its stars wanted to dedicate a 79-minute special for the victims of 3/11, reports Sankei Sports and Sports Hochi.

 

The extended show took place in an empty white set, where the five members of SMAP came on in black and took turns to express their feelings about the disaster that had struck north-eastern Japan.

“To those who were the victims of this tragedy, we extend our most sincere condolences to you all,” said Masahiro Nakai (38), and the five bowed their heads.

“I’m overwhelmed by it all,” said Takuya Kimura (38).

“I hope we can all realise how lucky we are to be able to live a normal life,” said Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (36).

“I hope we can all believe in one thing.  Believe in ourselves.  Believe in Japan,” said Shingo Katori (34).

 

During the show, the five read out a select number of messages sent in by viewers which totalled more than 10,000 emails and 3000 faxes.

 

The group performed three songs, including their hit number “世界に一つだけの花 (Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana)”.

 

It has been reported the five have already donated an undisclosed amount towards relief funds, and have also donated their salaries for this week’s SMAP x SMAP show.

 

**********************************************

EXTRA:

A new AC Japan commercial to support the victims of the 3/11 disaster will be played on Japanese TV, starring SMAP, and Japanese soccer players Yuto Nagatomo, Atsuto Uchida, and Shinji Okazaki, it was revealed on March 22, reports Nikkan Sports.

 

It has been reported the move comes after AC Japan had received criticism for running its commercials after the earthquake.  Many companies had pulled their commercials from TV out of respect for victims of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident.  This left AC Japan commercials, including one to raise awareness of cancer checkups, to fill in for all of the advertisement time.  The company has been bombarded with complaints from the public saying the commercials had nothing to do with the current situation and their over-playing was getting annoying.

 

AC Japan representatives had said the current commercials were never made with earthquakes or tsunamis in mind, and so it had made its latest commercial to send a message to victims.

**********************************************

 

(Credits to @Maddy for forwarding these news stories to me)