Taiwan raises $30 million for Japan quake relief

TAIPEI: Taiwan has raised about $30 million in two Star studded televised fundraisers this week for quake-hit Japan, organisers said Saturday.President Ma Ying-jeou and more than 300 entertainers raised Tw$800 million ($26.7 million) in a four-hour fundraiser broadcast live on local channels late Friday, said co-organiser Taiwan Red Cross.

Ma and his wife Chow Mei-ching joined the stars to take donations from viewers via the telephone while Terry Gou, head of the hi-tech Hon Hai group,made the single biggest donation of Tw$200 million.

Another fundraiser co-sponsored by World Vision Taiwan on Thursday also saw hundreds of local celebrities join hands to raise Tw$114 million for Japan quake relief.

So far the Taiwanese government has pledged Tw$100 million while many corporations and charity groups have also been collecting donations for Japan quake victims. Taiwan was a Japanese colony from 1895 to 1945 and is still heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Many Taiwanese performers have attempted successful careers in Japan.