Disasters in their homeland and adopted country have moved the Dunedin Japanese community into a fundraising effort this weekend.
Kodomai Kai president Izumi Uchida said the Japanese community group, along with the Dunedin Otaru Sister City Society and Otago Japan Club, were planning to raise funds for those affected by last month's Christchurch earthquake.
But given the devastation to parts of Japan, the group decided proceeds to the Red Cross would be split "50-50" between New Zealand and their home country.
"We want to do our bit."
The Dunedin-based family group, who lost no immediate family members in either disaster, was shocked by images from Christchurch and from the Japanese western prefectures hit hard by the quake and resulting tsunami.
"It is all quite unbelievable."
The group normally meets every second month to celebrate a cultural festival, but decided to focus efforts towards a Japanese-flavoured fundraising event this Sunday.
"It will be a great opportunity to work together, for something meaningful for the community," Mrs Uchida said.
The groups were asking for any saleable donated goods to be dropped off at the Pine Hill School on Saturday between 1pm and 3pm.
The fundraiser, which features Taiko drumming, Japanese food stalls and a flea market, will be held at the Hislop St school on Sunday between 11am and 2pm.
