Japanese students raise money for homeland

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - Several Southeast students have undertaken a relief effort for those affected in the Japanese earthquake that involved a tsunami and radiation leaks.

Yuhei Hikasa is a senior majoring in Sports Management. He is the student organizer of the "Pray for Japan: We Need Your Help" campaign.

He said that he and the other students​ wanted to help after surfing the Internet and seeing the devestation on television.

"Actually, we don't have a certain goal for it. We wanted everybody to know about the earthquake. Around this area there is a New Madrid plate, one of the most dangerous ones. We just wanted everyone to be aware of it," he said.

He said it's important that people learn from tragedies.

Southeast Missouri’s International Education Program says that there are 56 Japanese students enrolled at the university, but only one student is from the affected area in northeast Japan.

The students are currently collecting funds until March 30 in the University Center lobby. They will then send the money to the Red Cross.

Rachel Weatherford, KRCU

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