The chairman of Evergreen Group, Chang Yung-fa, donated $12.35 million of his personal fortune on Wednesday to help Japan with its post-disaster reconstruction, Journal of Commerce reports.
Chang presented the money via Evergreen Japan Corp. to the Japan Red Cross Society as a personal donation.
He said the scale of damage from the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northeastern Japan had left him sleepless.
"I was overwhelmed and couldn't sleep when I watched the daily TV coverage on the disaster," Chang said.
Chang said that he was moved to tears when he saw the reports of 70-odd elderly people who had lost all their family members in the disaster.
"The post-disaster reconstruction cannot be completed in three or five years -- it will take at least 10 years," Chang said.
It will have an impact on the economy of Japan, if not the whole world, he said.
Right after the disaster, Chang directed Evergreen to transport rescue teams and relief supplies by air or sea to the affected areas and to give priority cargo space to the relief goods.
Now that the rescue work has largely ended, Chang has decided to donate money to help with Japan's reconstruction.
"If necessary, I will provide further assistance through the Chang Jung-fa Foundation," he said.
Chang also expressed his admiration for the orderly conduct and resilience of the Japanese people in the affected areas, particularly those who had to queue for rationed food.
As of Monday, Taiwan had collected more than NT$1.5 billion (US$50.7 million), including a government donation of NT$100 million, for Japan's disaster relief.
Chang presented the money via Evergreen Japan Corp. to the Japan Red Cross Society as a personal donation.
He said the scale of damage from the March 11 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in northeastern Japan had left him sleepless.
"I was overwhelmed and couldn't sleep when I watched the daily TV coverage on the disaster," Chang said.
Chang said that he was moved to tears when he saw the reports of 70-odd elderly people who had lost all their family members in the disaster.
"The post-disaster reconstruction cannot be completed in three or five years -- it will take at least 10 years," Chang said.
It will have an impact on the economy of Japan, if not the whole world, he said.
Right after the disaster, Chang directed Evergreen to transport rescue teams and relief supplies by air or sea to the affected areas and to give priority cargo space to the relief goods.
Now that the rescue work has largely ended, Chang has decided to donate money to help with Japan's reconstruction.
"If necessary, I will provide further assistance through the Chang Jung-fa Foundation," he said.
Chang also expressed his admiration for the orderly conduct and resilience of the Japanese people in the affected areas, particularly those who had to queue for rationed food.
As of Monday, Taiwan had collected more than NT$1.5 billion (US$50.7 million), including a government donation of NT$100 million, for Japan's disaster relief.