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Dear supporters,

This facility is supported and maintained by people with a humanitarian

conscience for protecting children that surely no one can oppose. The building

renovation costs, the facility operating costs, the travel expenses, and the

accommodation expenses for children are all covered by donations from people

who sympathize with this project.

Without such supporters, cooperators, and support from the local community of

Kumejima, this facility would have been impossible to establish.

Several part time staff members are working in this facility. However, numbers

are kept to the necessary minimum. This is because the salary of just one

person can cover the expenses for around 50 to 100 children. Mindful of this, we

manage this facility with the support of many considerate volunteers.

As I have stated before, the organization OKINAWA KUMINOSATO is charged

with receiving and utilizing donations for the purpose of protecting children.

Volunteer staff work towards that purpose. All expenses of this organization are

covered by generous donations.

It is a key characteristic that OKINAWA KUMINOSATO is a not-for-profit

organization.

Eventually, perhaps in a few years, most people might forget about the victims

of Fukushima. We, however, will not. That is because we -- people who have

been involved in helping Chernobyl victims, people who have been distressed

about such issues for a long time -- know well that this damage will continue for

decades. Even if it becomes difficult to raise money, the number of people who

suffer will remain. In fact, this facility now faces a moment of truth. We need

more people to help with the operation of this facility so that we can continue to

operate for even one more month, and help even one more child.

Our organization is not limited to Kumejima, but rather draws on a diverse pool

of directors, staff, part-time workers, volunteers, and fundraisers operating

throughout Japan. In particular, we have received the support of numerous

volunteer and organizations. Our organization is run by donations, and asks

people to do volunteer work. Therefore we must have a sense of our own

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identity and mission which draws a clear line between us and "for profit"

groups.

Also, this organization has received the limitless support of the town of

Kumejima. We have received help from hundreds of residents of the town who

have volunteered to help the construction of this facility. First and foremost, the

directors and staff of this project have feeling of deep respect and gratitude

towards all of our volunteers and the people of Kumejima town.

As of August 2012, the people involved in this project are as follows. Although

all of their names are not indicated, we have received donations from more than

2000 people.

1 50100

1

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2012 8

2000

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Sharing of philosophy

We take care of victims here. This is not a place to speak out against nuclear

power plants. But it is necessary at leastto put ourselves in the victims shoes.

Based on an understanding of this position, donations are sent in, and

volunteers offer to help us.

The staff who work here must be independent individuals who want to be

involved in the purpose of this facility. Working here can be harder than working

elsewhere, but we have to constantly keep in mind that the people who help us

as unpaid volunteers have an even harder job.

Moreover, not only the directors and members of this project, but also the stafftoo might not be able to continue working here unless they truly empathize with

our philosophy. If they do not do so, we think they cannot build a good

relationship with our volunteers. When we employ people, we want to have

their signatures, saying they understand deeply and empathize with our

philosophy. And not only just with our staff, but we also want anyone wishing to

become a volunteer, or wanting to apply for any job here, to read our

philosophy of OKINAWA KUMINOSATO over and over, and to understand it

thoroughly. Also, we want those who wish to be part-timers to cooperate after

reading it, and constantly renew their agreement with our philosophy.

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The meaning of this facility in Kumejima

Finally, we have to seriously take to heart the meaning of why this facility was

built in Okinawa.

Especially, Kumejima is the location of a heartbreaking incident in which

residents of the island were executed by the Japanese military after the Battle

of Okinawa. History shows that Okinawa was occupied by Japan, sacrificed for

Japans war, and offered as an occupied territory to the U.S. military. Even now

it is also occupied by vast U.S military bases, and it continues to experience

discrimination and suffering.Promises of reduction in U.S. military bases and having these forces transferred

to the mainland, made by Japanese government, were broken repeatedly, and

the people of Okinawa have been betrayed.

We, the directors and staff, are deeply grateful that the children of Fukushima

victims have been here accepted most warmly, and we are especially thankful

that Kumejima island is supporting them in such a gracious way.

At the same time, we hope that we can learn a lesson from history, and that the

children who take refuge on this island can help to build a healthy relationship

between Okinawa and the rest of Japan.

We believe that a deeper understanding of the need to protect not only the

children of Fukushima, but also the children of Okinawa, can be achieved by

being here.

July 25, 2012 (revised on November 20, 2012)

Ryuichi Hirokawa, chairman of the board, NPO OKINAWA KUMINOSATO

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