The Foundation for Moldovan-Japanese Relations together with the Japanese nationals who settled and work in Moldova launched a campaign to collect funds for helping the Japan quake victims, Info-Prim Neo reports. In a news conference on March 19, the Foundation’s head Valeriu Banzaru urged the Moldovans to donate money as Japan is an important donor for Moldova and assisted the Government of Moldova to implement a series of economic, social, educational and cultural projects. “We are not indifferent to the tragedy that happened in Japan. We call on the Moldovan people and state institutions to mobilize and help the Japanese people,” said Valeriu Banzaru. In the same conference, Masato Nishikawa, a citizen of Japan who settled in Moldova, said that the friendship relations between Moldova and Japan will become stronger after this fundraising campaign. Lucia Rosca, head of the Center for the Promotion of Traditional Japanese Arts “Maneki Neko”, said the Center joins in with the collection of money and will make “senbadzuru”, which is an ornamental motif with 1,000 cranes. “The crane in Japan is a symbol of longevity and happiness. The Japanese people think that these birds live 1,000 years. They say that if you make 1,000 cranes, you will get one wish fulfilled,” Lucia Rosca explained. The 1,000 cranes will be sent to Japan together with the collected money. The fundraising campaign will last by March 26. Those who want to help the quake victims can transfer money to the account opened by the Government or directly to the Foundation for Moldovan-Japanese Relations, which is situated at 60 Mateevici St, block 4A of the State University in Chisinau.