Talent agency's charity to bear several billion yen for panda lease

A charity established by a talent agency to support reconstruction of northeastern Japan expects to shoulder several billion yen in costs related to the lease of giant pandas from China to a zoo in disaster-hit Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, according to a Japanese singer heading the group.

Masahiko Kondo, 47, who represents the ''Marching J'' charity set up by his agency Johnny & Associates Inc., said it will cover the expenses estimated for the initial five-year period. ''We want to bring back smiles to as many children as possible,'' Kondo said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has expressed willingness to lease two giant pandas to the Sendai zoo to cheer up children there.

Other than fees to transport the pandas to Japan, the costs will include rental fees to China, as well as expenses for building panda pens and their upkeep, Kondo said. The charity plans to tap into general donations as well as contributions from the talent agency and its affiliates to finance the costs.

The Marching J charity was launched immediately after the March 11 disaster. After learning of the city's desire to rent two giant pandas for its Yagiyama Zoological Park, the group decided to support the cause, in the hope of boosting the region's economy and lifting the spirits of children. Kondo has since conducted multiple negotiations with the Chinese side.

The charity also aims to facilitate exchanges between disaster-hit children in Japan and China through projects such as establishing a scholarship for Chinese children orphaned in the 2008 Great Sichuan Earthquake to study or work in Japan.

''We want to continue with fundraising. We hope people will chip in thinking, 'It's for panda's food','' Kondo said.

==Kyodo