The Los Angeles Dodgers and their newly-signed pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, announced this week they are donating $1 million to support those affected by the massive earthquakes in Mr. Ohtani’s home country of Japan on New Year’s Day.
A series of earthquakes—the largest of which measured 7.6 in magnitude—hit the west coast of Japan on Jan 1.
Ninety-four people are reported dead and 222 missing as of Jan. 5, according to the Associated Press.
“In support of the disaster relief efforts for the 2024 Sea of Japan earthquake and in collaboration with the Dodgers, I am making a donation in aid of the survivors,” Mr. Ohtani said in a joint Jan. 4 statement with the Dodgers.
“I would like to thank those who have joined in the recovery effort, and my hope is that we continue to come together to support those whose lives have been upended. I hope for the rapid rescue of missing persons and the reconstruction of the disaster-stricken areas.”
The Dodgers will be donating $1 million, while Mr. Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the team in December, will be making his own separate contribution.
“Our thoughts are with all of Japan in the wake of this tragedy,” the Dodgers announced in the same statement.
