Last Updated: 2012.02.28
UNIQLO Launches Recovery Project in Japan's Tohoku Region
Pledges Sustained Assistance Ahead of First Anniversary of 3/11 Disaster
Partners with Five NGOs, Opens Stores in Hard-Hit Communities
UNIQLO Co., Ltd.
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February 28, 2012, Tokyo, Japan - UNIQLO today announces the launch of its next phase of assistance to the revitalization of communities in the Tohoku Region that were most affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011. Under this project, known as the UNIQLO Recovery Assistance Project, the company will partner with five NGOs for three years and open new stores in the hardest-hit communities.
Fast Retailing Group companies led by UNIQLO have been actively working with affected local communities since soon after the disaster struck, donating funds and relief supplies, as well as sending volunteer staff to distribute clothes to people in need. Working directly with these communities over the last year has given UNIQLO a clear understanding of their immediate needs and hopes for the future. The UNIQLO Recovery Assistance Project was shaped by this experience. Through this project, UNIQLO aims to provide long-term support to communities in need and make a contribution to revitalizing Japan.
Recovery Assistance Project Overview
UNIQLO will work with five NGOs to support programs in devastated communities in prefectures such as Miyagi, Iwate, and Fukushima. The focus of these programs is to help these communities rebuild, create employment and become independent of aid. With this in mind, UNIQLO will open temporary stores in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture and Kamaishi in Iwate Prefecture --- two of the hardest-hit communities. UNIQLO will also reopen a store in the Haramachi district of Minamisoma in Fukushima Prefecture which was temporarily closed following the March 11 disaster.
■ NGO Partnerships
UNIQLO is committed to contributing a total of 300 million yen (around 3.7 million USD) to NGOs working on the ground to help devastated communities rebuild and become self-sufficient. Each of UNIQLO's five NGO partners will receive around 20 million yen a year for three years. The 300 million yen donation will come from a portion of the sales generated at all UNIQLO stores in Japan during March 2012. UNIQLO is also offering customers the opportunity to directly participate by launching a three-month donation drive at all UNIQLO stores in Japan, starting March 1. In addition, UNIQLO and the Fast Retailing Group are planning to offer employees opportunities to work as volunteers at partner NGOs.
UNIQLO's partner organizations:
・JEN
・ADRA Japan (Adventist Development and Relief Agency Japan)
・Specified Non-Profit Organization International Volunteer Center of YAMAGATA
・PlaNet Finance Japan
・Tohoku Relationship Capitals
■ Store Openings
While visiting disaster areas to distribute clothes, UNIQLO volunteers were often told by local people that they looked forward to the day when UNIQLO returned to open a store in their neighborhoods. Now, UNIQLO is pleased to be able to open temporary stores in some of the hardest hit communities. Through these stores, UNIQLO will offer local people a specially selected lineup of great, affordable clothes, as well as new employment opportunities. UNIQLO are honored to welcome customers to these stores.
| UNIQLO Kesennuma Store | |
| Address: | 67-1, Akaiwa Suginosawa, Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture |
| Launch: | 9:30, March 9, 2012 (scheduled) |
| Duration: | Around one year |
| Business hours: | 11:00 - 20:00 |
| Store size: | Approx. 100 sq. meters |
| Store type: | Prefabricated structure |
| Product lineup: | About 40 specially selected items planned |
| UNIQLO Kamaishi Store | |
| Address: | Sea Plaza Kamaishi, 2nd floor, 22-1, Suzuko-cho, Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture |
| Launch: | 9:00, March 9, 2012 (scheduled) |
| Duration: | Around one year |
| Business hours: | 9:00 - 18:00 (closed on Tuesdays) |
| Store size: | Approx. 260 sq. meters |
| Store type: | In-mall outlet |
| Product lineup: | About 40 specially selected items planned |
UNIQLO Haramachi Store
UNIQLO Haramachi Store in Fukushima Prefecture will reopen on March 9, 2012. The store has been temporarily closed since March 12, 2011.
| Address: | Via Fresco, 261 Kitahara Aza Sakaibori, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima prefecture |
| Relaunch: | 9:00, March 9, 2012 (scheduled) |
| Business hours: | 11:00 - 20:00 on weekdays, 10:00 - 20:00 on weekends |
| Store size: | Approx. 590 sq. meters |
| Product lineup: | About 200 items |
