Yuzuru's new charity show for earthquake victims in Japan | Sep 15

[Magill]

Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Takahito Mura and Akiko Suzuki will give a charity show titled "Challenge" on September 15, with all the proceedings (less costs) going to support victims of the New Year's Day earthquake in Noto Peninsula and to the area recovery fund. The show will be performed at an undisclosed location in Noto, with a paid livestream being the only way to watch.
An all-female group of Noto high schoolers who create Japanese calligraphy banners while dancing on the stage will also take part in the show as will a local drum group of kids and teenagers. There will also be live input from various locations in the area which will be contacted live from the stage.
A two day special event for 20 elementary school children from the area (each accompanied by a parent) is also planned for this September 14-15 weekend with kids having a chance to meet the skaters and take part in skating classes delivered by the show stars, i.e Yuzuru, Satoko, Akiko and Takahito. They will also view the show live at the venue as an exception.
There will be no international stream available this time due to right issues, with broadcast available oin Japan only, but many fans from all over the globe report buying the stream tickets anyway (international credit cards seem to work ok), aware they will not be able to watch, but willing to contribute by donating money anyway which I think AWESOME!!!!
The show is a fast follow up to Yuzuru Hanyu visiting the area in late June as Every News NNN TV Special Messenger. He was shocked then how much hardship local residents still suffer in spite of 6 months having passed. "I could not sit there doing nothing" - he said in the special report.
Some 3 weeks later the new charity show was announced ! wow!
Here's the report published by TV with English subtitles on their official You Tube channel and the show announcement.
Kudos to the skaters, organizers and everyone who contributes!!

 

[TallyT]

I'm buying a ticket as a donation. I hope the highlights (including some of the teaching sessions) will be available online afterwards, Japanese fans will let us know the details.

 

[Sai Bon]

Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Takahito Mura and Akiko Suzuki will give a charity show titled "Challenge" on September 15, with all the proceedings (less costs) going to support victims of the New Year's Day earthquake in Noto Peninsula and to the area recovery fund. The show will be performed at an undisclosed location in Noto, with a paid livestream being the only way to watch.
An all-female group of Noto high schoolers who create Japanese calligraphy banners while dancing on the stage will also take part in the show as will a local drum group of kids and teenagers. There will also be live input from various locations in the area which will be contacted live from the stage.
A two day special event for 20 elementary school children from the area (each accompanied by a parent) is also planned for this September 14-15 weekend with kids having a chance to meet the skaters and take part in skating classes delivered by the show stars, i.e Yuzuru, Satoko, Akiko and Takahito. They will also view the show live at the venue as an exception.
There will be no international stream available this time due to right issues, with broadcast available oin Japan only, but many fans from all over the globe report buying the stream tickets anyway (international credit cards seem to work ok), aware they will not be able to watch, but willing to contribute by donating money anyway which I think AWESOME!!!!
The show is a fast follow up to Yuzuru Hanyu visiting the area in late June as Every News NNN TV Special Messenger. He was shocked then how much hardship local residents still suffer in spite of 6 months having passed. "I could not sit there doing nothing" - he said in the special report.
Some 3 weeks later the new charity show was announced ! wow!
Here's the report published by TV with English subtitles on their official You Tube channel and the show announcement.
Kudos to the skaters, organizers and everyone who contributes!!

Thanks so much for the video! Yuzu looks so mature now, and he's a brilliant communicator. I loved the way he made the kids feel comfortable and how well he listened to the market trader ladies. It really comes across how much he cares about the cause. Respect!

 

[Magill]

I'm buying a ticket as a donation. I hope the highlights (including some of the teaching sessions) will be available online afterwards, Japanese fans will let us know the details.

You' re not alone on this (and I do not mean just myself) !
Austria, Australia, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Spain, UK, US, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Turkey, Italy, France, Portugal, Brazil, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, China, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand - and probably many, many more - these are the countries where fans decided to donate to the Noto Peninsula reconstruction and victim assistance fund by buying a streaming ticket for the show while knowing perfectly well that there would be no international streaming this time so they would not be able to watch it. And these are only those who decided to publicize it on SMNs to encourage others and I have come across their messages.
I am pretty sure they were, in fact, much more numerous, and even more numerous were surely those who did donate, too, but did not announce it anywhere.
Among those who elaborated on their motives, most moving to me were the ones from Turkey who claimed it was just a tiny way of repaying the swift donation of USD 80 000 from Yuzuru merchandise fund to the victims of earthquake in Turkey in February 2023.
These are all wonderful gestures of solidarity, appreciated by Japanese fans but also by Japanese regular folks, especially from the affected areas who have asked Japanese posters to forward their gratitude to the international fandom community. As I know some of them are among us, and some more I am not aware of might be reading this, I think it just right to forward it here, too. Thank you and respect!

Here's just one of many messages of this kind I have seen around:


Meanwhile, two days are left for the eligible kids from the earthquake-affected areas in Noto Peninsula to apply for participation in the free figure skating masterclasses with Yuzuru, Satoko, Akiko and Takahito to be held in Noto on Saturday, September 14. No skating experience necessary, complete beginners are welcome just like those more and most advanced. 20 lucky winners will be decided upon by a draw, they will be transported to the venue by organizers for the classes and for the charity show next day. Each kid can be accompanied by one parent. Here's an announcement from the skating event donor NNT Docomo, a Japanese mobile phone operator, with more details. They accept applications online till this Sunday August 18.

 

[Magill]

The Olympic site has published a detailed article on The Challenge charity show to take place in Noto just in 4 days this Sunday as did Tokyo Sport and some other Japanese press.
"The two-time Olympic figure skating champion is hitting the ice to raise money for those affected by the M7.6 quake on New Year's Day - because Hanyu has been there, and he knows. (...) There are people who are suffering at this moment, as we speak,” Hanyu told organisers of the show scheduled for Sunday (15 September). “I hope I can deliver a performance that can help them, give them even the slightest lift.”"

https://olympics.com/en/news/hanyu-yuzuru-kanazawa-charity-show

Tokyo-Sport' article details today the working process by talking to the show organizers. They say Yuzuru had been to Noto with a private visit (visits?) long before the televised one, and they say they've been working with him on the show since the end of April.
"The person in charge said, "Mr. Hanyu said, 'I want to do whatever I can do,' and we sympathized with that feeling, and the project proceeded. (...) Hanyu took time out of his busy schedule to come up with ideas via email and remote meetings."

「能登のためにできることはないか」羽生結弦の被災地への思い　１５日にチャリティー演技会 | 東スポWEB

自らの演技で〝笑顔と元気〟を――...

www.tokyo-sports.co.jp

Meanwhile, several public-viewing locations have been announced in Noto Peninsula itself where residents of the earthquake-affected area will be able to watch the show for free on Sunday (otherwise it will be available by paid livestream only with the view to raise money) and TV Kazanawa published a short message from Yuzu speaking of how important it is for him to perform both in the very place where it happened and to do it with his friends, and how he hopes to bring some smiles and some hope to those watching.


And another short news on the planned show from TV Kazanawa, the organizer of the event

 

[TallyT]

The Olympic site has published a detailed article on The Challenge charity show to take place in Noto just in 4 days this Sunday as did Tokyo Sport and some other Japanese press.
"The two-time Olympic figure skating champion is hitting the ice to raise money for those affected by the M7.6 quake on New Year's Day - because Hanyu has been there, and he knows. (...) There are people who are suffering at this moment, as we speak,” Hanyu told organisers of the show scheduled for Sunday (15 September). “I hope I can deliver a performance that can help them, give them even the slightest lift.”"

https://olympics.com/en/news/hanyu-yuzuru-kanazawa-charity-show

Tokyo-Sport' article details today the working process by talking to the show organizers. They say Yuzuru had been to Noto with a private visit (visits?) long before the televised one, and they say they've been working with him on the show since the end of April.
"The person in charge said, "Mr. Hanyu said, 'I want to do whatever I can do,' and we sympathized with that feeling, and the project proceeded. (...) Hanyu took time out of his busy schedule to come up with ideas via email and remote meetings."

「能登のためにできることはないか」羽生結弦の被災地への思い　１５日にチャリティー演技会 | 東スポWEB

自らの演技で〝笑顔と元気〟を――...

www.tokyo-sports.co.jp

Meanwhile, several public-viewing locations have been announced in Noto Peninsula itself where residents of the earthquake-affected area will be able to watch the show for free on Sunday (otherwise it will be available by paid livestream only with the view to raise money) and TV Kazanawa published a short message from Yuzu speaking of how important it is for him to perform both in the very place where it happened and to do it with his friends, and how he hopes to bring some smiles and some hope to those watching.


And another short news on the planned show from TV Kazanawa, the organizer of the event

It's lovely when sports stars can do this sort of thing, both economically helpful and emotionally healing, for people in disasters. It's going to be special.

 

[Magill]

It's lovely when sports stars can do this sort of thing, both economically helpful and emotionally healing, for people in disasters. It's going to be special.

That's very true. Star power, when used well, can truly help to collect funds, find solutions and get attention of the public and TPTB which in turn helps to collect funds and find solutions. Yuzu is known for using his star power with a great skill and to help important causes and people in need. It feels like some really very well-invested star power, indeed ! No wonder he consistently gets so much recognition for what he does.

Newsweek Japan has just announced Yuzuru's efforts for Noto Penninsula - and the situation there and why it needs an effort - will be the cover story of their next issue. The announcement for Newsweek JP of September 25 below says:
"Cover: Yuzuru Hanyu]
Cover story: Yuzuru Hanyu talks about the earthquake and Noto"
Well done!

 

[Magill]

This was very raw, very authentic and very powerful indeed. Lots of taiko (Japanese drums) music - which I love - played with nerve and passion by the young local teen group from Wajima High School in the Noto Peninsula, yes, the same place Yuzuru had visited in the video linked in OP. They were awesome and I hope performing next to the FS stars will help the youngsters get some broader recognition. They also provided background music for the girl team from the same high school creating a huge calligraphy banner with colourful paints on the floor while dancing among the paints and letters. The banner was lifted afterwards and looked really impressive, especially as you could see it being created right there, in real time, almost with no effort.
I was really impressed and I loved that the young local performers were given equal coverage, time and floor as the superstars. The two groups also communicated via video, talking and asking/answering questions and basically could see and watch each other all the time via huge screens placed at the rink and the high school gym where the teens performed.
As for the skaters, they performed in what looked like a vary basic local ice rink, with full lights on, with no seating for audience at all, a venue surely not used to housing global superstars. As they wanted to keep the costs at the minimum to channel most of the proceedings to the reconstruction, there were no special lighting, spotlights, no ice projection mapping and other elaborate staging. Interestingly, this lack of "ornaments" made their skating appear even more emotional and beautiful, and appealing straight to the heart. The tiny venue made it possible to see skaters really close and their emotions were obvious. It was almost like going back to the very roots of figure skating itself and it just helped to showcase its natural beauty. For example, Haru Yo Koi was soooooo moving - and, yes, Yuzu changed it a bit for the occasion. But all four of them were great and you could feel they gave all of their souls to the performance. Takahito's "Brilliant" was awesome while Akiko's "Hymn of Love" and Satoko's "Mother Dolorosa" were unspeakably lyrical and beautiful which was only enhanced by the raw - and well lit - surroundings.
The opening number was skated to taiko music - Noto Kuni Kiriryu Festival' by Wajima City's Japanese drum team Toranosuke- with its overwhelming rhythm and the closing numbers included short same sex duos of Satoko /Akiko and Yuzu / Takahito, both were great. They really looked much in sync for most of the show.
"Yuzru Hanyu prays for Noto" is probably the most catching press title I have seen so far but it seems there is quite a lot of coverage in Japanese press expected for tomorrow, not just for the show but for Noto situation as such which was obviously the purpose, too.
Congratulations and kudos to Yuzuru, Akliko, Satoko and Takahito, to the taiko and calligraphy teen groups and their teachers, and to everyone involved, and all the best to Noto, may they receive all the assistance they need a
The stream access can still be bought and The Challenge show can be accessed and watched until September 30.

 

[TallyT]

It's been calculated on streaming ticket and shirt sales, the show has already made 84.6 million yen for the people affected by the earthquake. But more important is the number of people from Noto, old and young, who have said in the news and on social media how the fact that the skaters created and did the show, for them and in their own rink small as it was, and made it free for them to watch made them feel. They are still struggling, and it really helped them, they are making that clear.

I hope the skaters all read these messages.

 

[Magill]

It's been calculated on streaming ticket and shirt sales, the show has already made 84.6 million yen for the people affected by the earthquake. But more important is the number of people from Noto, old and young, who have said in the news and on social media how the fact that the skaters created and did the show, for them and in their own rink small as it was, and made it free for them to watch made them feel. They are still struggling, and it really helped them, they are making that clear.

I hope the skaters all read these messages.

They specified later that the amount announced was for Friday night only as they had not added the weekend sales yet - Accounting Dept. had their days off, I guess, it was Sunday Many people were buying the stream over this very weekend so the final amount may be even higher. But you're right, it is the attention and care shown to the victims and the way they felt about it, that mattered most.
Yuzuru being a survivor himself is also important for the way his actions are perceived and supported.
As the Olympic channel has highlighted in the title of their review of Yuzu's charity show just published today, it is "From one survivor to another"

https://olympics.com/en/news/hanyu-yuzuru-back-kanazawa-figure-skating-earthquake

 

[Magill]

Lots of coverage and praise for The Challenge show yesterday from Japanese media and online outlets, including the biggest press and TVs, with Yuzuru's words "I want to use my fame in a positive way to help the victims" being the quote of the day, and a reporter's comment "Hanyu's Olympic gold may shine even brighter today than it did the day he won it" a close second
Here's a translation of Yuzuru's interview from Hochi Sports being quoted and re-quoted in many other outlets (I am not sure if he gave it to Hochi or to a bunch of reporters as it is quoted in so many different media)

Here's from a fellow skater, Akiko Suzuki:

Two behind-the-scenes are expected to be shown today by TV stations and Yuzu is expected to appear on the cover of Newsweek Japan with his interview being this week's cover story there tomorrow. Hopefully some of it will be accessible online!
Hopefully all this coverage will make even more people buy access to the show archive and support Noto with their ticket money this way. The show access can be bought and the show can be viewed until September 30.

 

[Magill]

Newsweek Japan has just revealed the cover of its newest issue with Yuzu. It says on its official X account:: "Special Feature this week is the interview: "Yuzuru Hanyu Message for Noto. What can we do for Noto? After experiencing the 3.11 disaster, Hanyu has continued to work in the disaster-stricken areas. We asked him about the meaning of living through the disaster. Photographed by Toru Yaguchi".
Goes on sale this Wednesday September 25, with enough time to boost the last minute sales for the charity streaming tickets i.e. donations.
Yuzu is such a great, great face for the sport in Japan and worldwide and such a great spokesperson for the victims. His outreach is tremendous! Kudos!!! And help will be needed even more now as Noto, still struggling to rise from the earthquake, has just been partly flooded today with thousands of people evacuated again, including from Wajima City where Yuzu was recorded visiting with TV crew, linked here in OP to this thread.
Thank you for all your donations (which I know some of you made)!

Torrential rain in Japan floods quake-stricken Noto region

TOKYO (Reuters) - Record rainfall on Saturday hit central Japan's Noto region, which was devastated by a major earthquake in January, prompting evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents and causing a power outage for more than 5,000 hous...

kelo.com

 

[Magill]

Newsweek Japan with Yuzuru cover, his 8-page-long interview and 4 page cover story (Special Report), was a huge hit yesterday, was announced a bestseller both in print and digital versions, sold-out in many places, with some outlets limiting sales to one copy per customer (and going viral with these announcements ).
The interview in particular is very candid, and thoughtful, and gets a lot of praise also outside of skating, or sport, community, as an authentic and important voice of a survivor turned a sport superstar, and a celebrity, to go back and help others.

But what's even more important is that it helps to win attention and assistance for Noto region, now struggling not just with effects of the earthquake, but also with the flood resulting from torrential rains that poured down there over the weekend.
Many fans report buying an additional Challenge show archive stream ticket as a way for an easy donation, which is awesome.
Online fan community has also found ways to donate money through Amazon gift cards and wish lists compiled by volunteers involved in assistance effort on the ground in Noto itself, donating gloves, cleaning agents, masks, rubber boots, fans for drying surfaces, etc.
This help coming from all over the globe, really all continents, through online channels, from people who actually heard about the need through Yuzuru and his show, and the noise it caused online - this is tremendous. Of course, this is just a drop in the efforts of many people and organizations. Nevertheless, this collective effort, however limited, is truly heartwarming, just as the disaster news and images coming from Noto were heartbreaking. OTOH, you can read numerous thank you messages addressing Yuzu international fan community from Japanese volunteers and regular folks. It really feels like this double Olympic gold is in the right hands to help and unite! Kudos!

 

[Magill]

Some longer vids from the Challenge charity show have been published. First from docomo who sponsored the children's event, many pics, a written report (in Japanese but goes well just with a browser translation tool), and a YouTube video from their official channel linked below. This is Yuzuru, Satoko and the kids as they were running the classes when Akiko and Takahito worked on the choreo for their group numbers. Apart from skating, the kids were also introduced to secrets of TV broadcasting. Fun Q&A session with the skaters and the kids at the end of the first video.
The second report comes from TV Kanazawa, the local organizer of the event, and it is focused more on the show itself, including some interviews, some rehearsals, some skating and some pretty cool drum playing and dance painting (although you'll see bits of the masterclasses, too)
BTW the drum music the opening number is skated to by the superstars was recorded by the local teen group we can see playing at the high school hall! These teens were so excited, seems they had a time of their lives! Good for them, I think they were great!

Don't forget you can turn the YT English subtitles tool on!

Here's for the masterclass:

https://docomo-mirai.tda.docomo.ne.jp/field/report/yuzuru-hanyu_2401/

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

And here's for the general report, including the show:

- YouTube

Auf YouTube findest du die angesagtesten Videos und Tracks. Außerdem kannst du eigene Inhalte hochladen und mit Freunden oder gleich der ganzen Welt teilen.

www.youtube.com

 

[TallyT]

Those little kiddies having (probably) their first ever time on ice were adorable... especially when we remember what they went through.

 

[TallyT]

Those little kiddies having (probably) their first ever time on ice were adorable... especially when we remember what they went through.

 

[Magill]

Newsweek Japan has just released the whole interview with Yuzuru Hanyu that made their last week's issue the No 1 bestseller in Japan. It was taken right there at Noto, 1.5 hours after the charity Challenge show for the benefit of the Noto earthquake survivors.
As the digital version is much easier to translate, we already have a translation posted by fans.
It is a truly great interview, personal, insightful and very interesting! Yuzu speaks most of all from the pov of an earthquake survivor. He also mentions how his perspective was evolving over the years, including a change from the competitive to professional phase. The interview was released today, hours after Yuzu had announced his new Ice Show No 3 to be titled "Echoes of Life" , to be premiered at Saitama Arena on his 30th birthday, December 7 (more info on this in the 'Japanese shows' thread and in Yuzuru FF).



And here's the original Tweet from Newsweek with the link to the original version in Japanese for those who can read it.

 

[Magill]

Forwarding one of many messages from Noto residents thanking Yuzuru fans for their donations (this one is actually in English) hoping it will reach some of them here!!!
Yuzuru also thanked wholeheartedly everyone who donated to Noto, in particular, international fans, during his live, so if you did donate one way or another but were not there, here you are
It is really heartwarming!