湊かなえさん、トンガ支援　日本財団が寄付募集

　海底火山の噴火と津波に襲われた南太平洋の島国トンガを支援するため、日本財団（東京都港区、笹川陽平会長）は１９日、基金を設立し寄付金募集を開始したと発表した。青年海外協力隊の隊員として同国に赴任した経験を持つ作家の湊かなえさんが、１０００万円を寄付。財団からも１億円を拠出する。
　湊さんは「協力隊時、またそれ以降の人生においても、トンガの方々から愛と優しさによって支えられた。一日でも早く、笑顔に満ちた日常を取り戻すことを心より願っている」などとコメントした。寄付は７月末まで募集し、赤十字社を通じて届ける予定という。（2022/01/19-19:31）

Famous Japanese author Kanae Minato, who has experience of volunteering in Tonga, has donated 10 million yen to the southern Pacific island nation, which was recently hit by a submarine volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.
   Minato's donation was sent to a fund established by the Nippon Foundation.
   The Japanese public interest incorporated foundation said Wednesday that it has established the fund and started collecting donations to support Tonga. The foundation itself plans to offer 100 million yen.
   Minato once stayed in Tonga as a volunteer worker under the government-linked Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer program.
   "I was supported by the love and kindness of Tongan people during my time as a volunteer and in my life after that," Minato said in a comment posted on the foundation's website. "I sincerely hope that people in Tonga will get back to their normal lives filled with smile as soon as possible," she said.