Taiwan stars raise $3.8M for Japan relief

More than a hundred Taiwan entertainers raised about 24 million yuan ($3.8 million) at a fundraising gala in Taipei Thursday night, March 17, 2011 to help earthquake victims in Japan. [Photo/ynet.com]

More than a hundred Taiwan entertainers raised about 24 million yuan ($3.8 million) at a fundraising gala in Taipei Thursday night to help earthquake victims in Japan.

Influential showbiz figures, including talk-show host Harlem Yu Chengqing, magician Liu Qian and singers Christine Fan and Ariel Lin, rallied public support from locals at the event co-hosted by TVBS and other local cable channels, according to media reports on Friday.

Singer Alan Luo who could not attend the fundraising event gave his support via recorded video message.

Actor Peter Ho, who is currently filming a movie in Xiamen, made a donation via a long-distance phone call. His planned concert in Japan on March 11 was canceled on account of the earthquake.

Another large-scale gala in Taiwan called "Fight & Smile" will begin Friday evening to raise additional funds for Japan earthquake relief efforts.

Days after the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, millions of people were left homeless and are now experiencing shortages of food and water. Entertainers from the Chinese mainland and South Korea have also demonstrated their strong support for survivors and victims of the disasters in Japan.