Songs for Japan, the star-studded album created to help raise money for victims of Japan’s 2011 earthquake and tsunami disasters, continues to benefit the survivors through Japanese Red Cross Society.
Last week, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry released a statement that senior executives from four major music companies – EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music Group – met with Japanese Red Cross Society Vice President, Yoshiharu Otsuka, to recognize the milestone of $10 million raised and donated from the global sales of Songs for Japan.
A music industry-wide initiative, Songs for Japan is a compilation of 38 major hits and classic tracks, including some of the biggest names in contemporary music. U2, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Eminem, Madonna, Bon Jovi, R.E.M. Elton John, Queen, Adele, and Shakira, are just a few of the generous artists supporting the cause.
All participating artists, songwriters, music labels, music publishers and iTunes waived their royalties and proceeds to maximize the amount of money donated for survivors. In addition, manufacturers, distributors and marketing partners donated materials, services and advertising time or space.
Worldwide to date, music fans have purchased more than one million digital and physical copies of Songs for Japan.