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Kyoto Animation will use none of its arson donations for business recovery, all of it for victims

Casey Baseel Oct 4, 2019
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The company has received over one billion yen (US$10.1 million), and plans to use every single one for human beings, not business.

Following the arson attack on Kyoto Animation’s Fushimi anime studio on July 18, a special bank account was set up to receive donations from the anime industry and fan community. Generous donors from both inside Japan and abroad, including X-Japan front man Yoshiki, swiftly contributed over one billion yen (US$10.1 million), hoping to do so some sort of good after the tragedy that left 35 Kyoto Animation employees dead and injured nearly as many.

At the time the donation account was set up, Kyoto Animation had yet to specify exactly how the funds would be used, but it seems the company has now reached a decision. In a tweet from Shinichi Isa, head of the House of Representatives Finance Committee, the politician announced that Kyoto Animation will not be using any of the money for the recovery of its business operations, and will instead be using the complete sum for the sake of the human victims of the attack.

京アニ、世界から頂いた寄付は事業再開には使わず、全て遺族や負傷者、ご家族のために使うとのこと。
会社としては、公的支援を含めて外部支援を受けずに、自らの足で歩み始めます。

11月3日4日、みやこめっせ（京都市勧業会館）で、ファンをはじめひろく追悼する場を設けるようです。 pic.twitter.com/9qfpHKFGhm

— いさ進一　衆議院議員 (@isashinichi) October 2, 2019

“Kyoto Animation will not be applying any of the money it received from donors around the world for business recovery, but will be using all of it for the bereaved, the injured, and their families.

The company itself will not retain any of the financial support, including funds coming from government institutions, and will move forward under its own power.”

Isa’s report of the decision, which has yet to be officially announced through Kyoto Animation’s website, was met with overwhelming support from other Twitter users, whose reactions included:

“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Kyoto Animation.”
“They’re a company that always puts people first.”
“I made multiple donations, and I’m grateful that they’re using the money in this way.”
“Kyoto Animation is so cool to come to this resolution.”
“They’re showing how strong their company really is.”

Isa also tweeted that Kyoto Animation will be holding memorial services, which fans can attend, on November 3 and 4, at Kyoto’s Miyako Messe conference center, with more details to come in the near future. The company also listed the names of all of the arson victims in the credits for its recent Violet Evergarden theatrical feature, the first stage of the company’s “ultimate counterattack” of continuing to produce passionate works of art.

Source: Twitter/@isashinichi via Jin
Top image: Kyoto Animation
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