The Great East Japan Earthquake and resulting tsunami on March 11, 2011 has taken a severe toll on the Tohoku region, and we understand that CIPA member companies have also suffered from this disaster.

CIPA has been working on measures to support reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas under the initiative of the Photo Aid Project, and has decided to establish a fund entitled “CIPA Photo Aid: Connecting the Past and Future through the Power of Photography and Imaging” which will be funded by donations from its members. With the help of the Nippon Foundation, this fund will provide grants for organizations engaging in reconstruction work of the disaster areas through the use of photo imaging.

The CIPA Photo Aid Project will be centered on the reconstruction support through the Photo Aid Fund, and will also explore other support measures that CIPA will be able to implement from the perspective of social contribution. This fund project, starting as an effort to help cope with the Great East Japan Earthquake, will aim to expand its range of activities on a global scale in the future.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your letters of sympathy as well as the supports we have received from around the world.