Kimura Takuya visits Chiba for flood relief aid - NHKニュース

Famed Japanese actor Kimura Takuya visited Chiba, east of Tokyo, on Monday to support recovery efforts following recent flooding and landslides caused by August's record downpours and September's typhoon.

Kimura met Chiba Governor Kumagai Toshihito at the prefectural government office. The actor is backing a support initiative by a Tokyo-based group that has pledged to donate 20 million yen, or about 127,000 dollars, for the prefecture's reconstruction.

Kimura called Chiba the place where he laid his foundations, as he lived there from the first grade of elementary school through his first year of high school.

Kimura said he was shocked to hear about the embankment collapse at Lake Inbanuma and damage to local recreational facilities.

He noted that he still goes golfing in Chiba and will continue doing whatever he can to help the area's recovery.

Governor Kumagai said that he appreciated the offer, adding that he will make sure the donations reach residents affected by the disaster.

Prefectural government officials say the money will help bring the lives of those affected back to normal, including covering home repair costs.