On Mar 11, 2011, the Tohoku region in Japan was struck by a massive earthquake. In order to support the recovery of the Tohoku region which suffered immense damage, the JOC started the "GANBARE ! NIPPON!" Project.
Under this project, Olympians and athletes who have been supported by the public conduct various on-going support activities to try to bring a smile those in the affected regions of Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima and Ibaraki Prefectures.
