The relationship between Wales and Kumamoto Prefecture has remained strong following last year’s Rugby World Cup. NHK reported that, on 10 November, Ursula Bartlett-Imadegawa (second left), president of the St David’s Society Japan, and Yoko Kobori (left) from the Welsh Government, visited the prefectural office to present Vice Governor Takeshi Kimura with a donation of ¥200,000. The money—collected with help from Gareth Lewis of the Welsh social media platform St David’s World—is meant to assist with recovery efforts following this year’s heavy rainfall, which killed at least 77 people and destroyed more than 15,000 buildings.
Bartlett-Imadegawa thanked the many people and groups who donated, including Brits at Lunch and the St David’s Society committee and members. Messages of support for Kumamoto also came from former Minister for International Relations and the Welsh Language Eluned Morgan, members of the Welsh Parliament, rugby players, three former presidents of the St David’s Society and the Friends of Wales congressional caucus in the United States.