Urgent request to support “Mori wa Umi no Koibito” (“Forests are lovers of the sea”)
The massive earthquake and tsunami that hit Tohoku in Japan devastated the nation. Today, I ask your urgent support to help continue a very important movement to save lives in the sea of Japan and in the world.
Shigeatsu Hatakeyama is an oyster fisherman in Kesennuma, Miyagi. Since 1989, together with many children and adults, he has been planting trees in the forest to bring life back to the sea. The movement is called “Mori wa Umi no Koibito” (“Forests are lovers of the sea”) and has spread throughout the nation.
You might ask, “Why plant trees to protect the sea?” The answer is that fallen leaves in the forest create vital nutrients for a bountiful sea. The rivers carry them there to feed the plankton, which in turn feed other creatures such as oysters. We must protect forests. They are mothers to every living organism.
Many children and adults alike joined the movement and planted thousands of trees in the forest, and Kesennuma Bay finally returned to what it used to be. Now, the flesh of oysters growing there is a translucent white. The children are especially excited to see that they can make a difference.
Sadly, the tsunami destroyed everything. Countless trees were swept away. So were the oyster cultivation farm and the facilities for educating children. They lost their very foundation. There is no place for generous friends to come back to, where their serious work can continue. Children are losing hope for the future of their sea.
May I appeal to you? It’s urgent. Professor Tanaka from Kyoto University kindly organized a fund-raising team called “Mori wa Umi no Koibito Kinkyu Shien no kai” (“Support group for ‘Forests are lovers of the sea’”). Please make a donation by one of two following ways:
Postal transfer:
Account number: 009830-6-2821710
Name on the account: Mori wa Umi no Koibito Kinkyu Shien no kai
Bank transfer:
Bank: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ
SWIFT：BOTKJPJTXXX
Branch: Kyoto Ekimae (branch #: 434)
Account number: 3095280
Name on the account: Mori wa Umi no Koibito Kinkyu Shien no kai
For inquiries:
Mori wa Umi no Koibito Kinkyu Shien no kai
Call: 0774-33-2503
Thank you in advance for your support. Many children and adults are eagerly awaiting your help so they can continue to work to protect our sea. We need your help, now.
