Nao Minamisawa and the cast of "Akai Ito (Red Thread)" help support the children of Guyana

by Chris MaGee

Here's a bit of good news amongst the gloom and doom of the daily headlines. At an official function that took place in the Minami Ward of Tokyo yesterday Nao Minamisawa (above center) and the cast of the Japanese blockbuster teen drama "Akai Ito (Red Thread)" donated ¥3.8 million ($52,336.22 CAD) to the Japan Committee for UNICEF to help assist in aiding the impoverished children of the Republic of Guyana, a country in which nearly 40% of families live in poverty.

Working in conjunction with Fuji TV's 35th FNS Charity Campaign ¥5 (or $0.69 CAD) from each ticket for "Akai Ito" sold will go to support this cause and with 760,000 sold so far it will translate to quite a bit of aid to this troubled region.

Speaking to the press at the event Minamisawa expressed her satisfaction with being able to help UNICEF in this way. "If the movie can help even a little bit, I’m happy."

Thanks to Japan Today for this story and to Nikkan Sports for the above image.