Japan Earthquake News

Many around the motorcycle industry have provided financial assistance to the relief efforts in Japan, including America's iconic V-Twin manufacturer Harley-Davidson.

And on Wednesday, three industry associations have partnered to provide additional financial assistance in Japan. The boards and members of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America are collectively donating $10,000 to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund.

All three motorcycle organizations are also encouraging its members to make contributions, and have links on its websites so the riding community can easily donate.

Tim Buche (President and CEO of MIC, MSF and SVIA) says: "Thanks to the support of our boards and the contributions of our members, the MIC, MSF and SVIA are able to make a substantial financial contribution to assist the people of Japan.

"We also wanted to provide a way for the riding community to contribute, which is why we established website links."

Interested in assisting? Log onto MIC.org. rockmoto.com, motorcycles.org, MSF-USA.org, SVIA.org or atvsafety.org, and click on the "2011 Japan Relief Fund" tab. The MIC says visitors will be directed to a page with more detailed information and a link to the Japan Relief Fund donation page on the Japan America Society of Southern California website.

The JAS-SC created the 2011 Japan Relief Fund as the country continues its relief efforts, attempting to recover from March 11's 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which subsequently triggered a tsunami in the Northeastern region of the country north of Tokyo.

As of Thursday, the death toll is more than 9,000 and there are over 16,500 people missing. There is also fear of a nuclear power-plant meltdown due to the quake.

The 2011 Japan Earthquake is considered the deadliest natural disaster since the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, which claimed the lives of more than 142,000 people.

Tim Buche says: "The devastation is too much for any country to deal with alone. Japan is a vital part of our industry, now it is our turn to help them."

All donations will go to experienced non-governmental disaster relief agencies in Japan that have a proven track record of emergency humanitarian relief and restoration work.