Yachin Chen, Suchiu Sun, Gengmei Pan, Mengchuan Wang, Hsiuling Wu, Wenling Luo | Japan

The walls of the Cultural Hall are covered with small notes of encouragement, each one inspiring the people of Japan and warming the hearts of Tzu Chi volunteers. | Photo courtesy of Sunny Yen | Noto, Japan


“Today is July 14, 2024, the 196th day since the earthquake. Keep going! Spring has arrived, come visit Noto! Don’t give up! Although we are far away, our hearts are close. Everything will be all right!” These messages on a whiteboard are the daily affirmations from Noto residents following the earthquake. Each one not only encourages the people of Japan but also warms the hearts of Tzu Chi volunteers, reminding everyone that a bright future is no longer just a distant dream.

Po-Wen Yen, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation (front row, third from the right), personally traveled to Japan to participate in the fourth round of relief fund distribution, joining volunteers in caring for the people of Japan. | Photo courtesy of Sunny Yen | Noto, Japan

From July 13th to 15th, the Tzu Chi Foundation’s fourth round of relief fund distribution was carried out in full swing, with teams from Taiwan and Japanese Tzu Chi volunteers working hand in hand. Po-Wen Yen, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation, personally traveled to Japan to offer support and care to the people. In Shika Town, volunteers split into groups to visit different distribution sites. Group B volunteers arrived at Shika Town’s Cultural Hall on the afternoon of the 14th, where the bonds of friendship and care continued long after the distribution ended.

Cultural Hall: A Gathering Place of Love

At 10 AM on the 14th, the television inside Shika Town’s Cultural Hall was showing Da Ai Journal, depicting Tzu Chi’s humanitarian efforts in Japan after the Noto earthquake. This path of compassion has been etched into the hearts of everyone present, with gratitude filling the room.

LEFT: CEO Po-Wen Yen (right) visited the distribution site to offer care and expressed his gratitude to the town hall staff. | Photo courtesy of Sunny Yen | Noto, Japan | 2024/07/14‌ ‌RIGHT: Mei-Fen Wu, wife of CEO Yen (right), seized the opportunity to give by coming to Japan. She served hot tea, helped, and introduced Tzu Chi’s disaster relief efforts to the residents after they received their relief funds. Her gentle and humble demeanor, like a warm breeze, bridged the gap of love. | Photo courtesy of Joyce Chou | Noto, Japan | 2024/07/14

CEO Po-Wen Yen also visited the distribution site to offer his care, expressing heartfelt thanks to the town hall staff. He bowed deeply, respectfully offering a small token of appreciation, sincerely grateful for the spacious and comfortable venue provided by the town hall.

Mutual Help Brings Happiness to All

Eighty-three-year-old Grandpa Shintani is a cheerful and optimistic elder. While in the care area, he learned about Tzu Chi through a conversation with the volunteers. They explained everything, from the “Tzu Chi School of Buddhism” to Master Cheng Yen.

When asked, “Do you know where the relief fund you received comes from?” Grandpa Shintani replied, “From the Taiwanese people.” The volunteer smiled and explained, “That’s correct, but it also comes from Tzu Chi members around the world who contributed through bamboo banks.” Grandpa Shintani’s eyes widened in surprise, “Is that so? I’m so grateful!” To show his appreciation, he decided to take a bamboo bank home, willing to make a wish with each coin he deposits, planting blessings for himself and others.

With wisdom, Grandpa Shintani expressed his gratitude and blessings through words,

“Taiwan and Japan have been helping each other wholeheartedly for a long time. So, nations have no borders, and neither do people. Everyone helps one another. I believe this is the heart of the Buddha. So, when misfortune strikes, we help each other, and everyone finds happiness. As long as we live healthily, doing our best is our duty. I want to pass this history down to my descendants. So, I hope everyone in Taiwan can live a healthy and happy life too.”

Love transcends boundaries, and the selfless great love rooted in the Buddha's heart moved everyone present.

Relief Fund: Hoping for Warmth to Last

At the distribution site, 86-year-old Grandpa Koyama walked unsteadily, tightly holding the hand of his 50-year-old son, who has physical and mental disabilities, as if afraid he might lose him. Volunteer Shu-Huei Chiu quickly approached them, inviting them to rest on a nearby sofa.

Outside, the rain poured down as the volunteers asked, “How did you get here today?” Grandpa Koyama replied, “I drove here with my son. We still need to visit the dentist afterward.”

Seeing that Grandpa Koyama was in no rush to leave, the volunteer asked about the condition of his house. The volunteer worried that if the house leaked during the rainy season, it might affect the father and son’s safety. Grandpa Koyama reassured, “The roof is currently covered with a blue tarp, so it won’t leak.”

“I’m already 86 years old, and this is the first time in my life I’ve experienced such a big earthquake, a magnitude 7.6. I was watching TV at the time and didn’t think much of it at first! But then I noticed the shaking was getting stronger and stronger! Instinctively, I knew it was dangerous, so I quickly grabbed my son’s hand and hurried outside!” Grandpa Koyama’s face still showed signs of fear as he recalled the moment of the earthquake, and his house is now half-destroyed.

The volunteers asked, “Do you have plans for the relief fund you received today?” Grandpa Koyama’s expression brightened as he replied, “I’m very happy! It’s heartwarming to receive cash. I’ll first make a list of essential items we need and then take my son shopping.”

As they departed, the rain was still falling. Grandpa Koyama’s steps were still unsteady, so consultants Tien-Lai Lin (right) and Ching-kuei Hsieh (behind) each held an umbrella to escort Grandpa Koyama and his son to their car. | Photo courtesy of Meng-Chuan Wang | Noto, Japan | 2024/07/14

As they left, the rain continued to pour. The group watched as Grandpa Koyama’s car slowly disappeared, but the bittersweet feeling in their hearts lingered. The father’s deep love for his son was palpable, leaving a lasting impression. Beyond the relief fund, the volunteers wished they could do even more...

Lily Su, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Japan, was responsible for coordination and accounting checks during the relief fund distribution in Shika Town. Though the work was intricate and demanding, she embraced it wholeheartedly, finding great fulfillment. | Photo courtesy of Keng-Mei Pan | Noto, Japan | 2024/07/14

“I’m very grateful for the team’s cooperation and for the experience gained from the previous three distributions, which allowed us to complete the preparatory and logistical work quickly.” Lily Su, Deputy CEO of Tzu Chi Japan, expressed her hope to help the residents through the darkest times, so that the sun in their hearts may always shine on Shika Town, making it a place forever embraced by sunshine.