Dine Out for Japan During March 7 - 11, 2012 to Support the Japan Earthquake Recovery

NEW YORK, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 7 - 11, 2012, support Japan's recovery from last year's Great Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami by participating in Dine Out for Japan – Restaurant Week, organized by Azix, Inc. Now in its second year, Dine Out for Japan encourages people to help the relief efforts by eating out at participating restaurants, which will donate a portion of their sales to the Japanese American Association of New York (JAA) Japan Disaster Relief Fund. All of the proceeds JAA collects will go directly to support the victims of the disaster, helping the area get back on its feet.

March 11th marks the one-year anniversary of the severest disaster in Japan's recent history that decimated the Tohoku region. The catastrophe involved a record magnitude 9 earthquake followed by a massive tsunami, which triggered the world's worst nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture. Aside from the great physical damage and humanitarian crisis, the Great Tohoku Earthquake also burdened Japan with an economic challenge; it is the most expensive natural disaster in world history.

The Dine Out for Japan initiative currently has over 35 NYC restaurants participating, including Ippudo NY, Greenwich Grill, Hatsuhana, Kyotofu, and Sake Bar Decibel. Some of these restaurants will have a promotion on dishes featuring Japanese ingredients or introduce new menus specifically created for Dine Out for Japan.

Last year, Dine Out for Japan raised a total of $130,000, of which $70,000 was donated through the Red Cross and $60,000 was donated though JAA.

Diners also have a chance to win a free round-trip ticket to Japan via Delta by posting about the restaurant they visited on the Dine Out for Japan Facebook wall. Please see http://bimi.asia/dineoutforjapan/sweepstake.php for more details.

One of the goals besides raising money for Japan's revitalization efforts is to dispel any negative images regarding the quality of Japanese food products after the wake of the disaster. Dine Out for Japan aims to promote to the world a deeper understanding of Japan, especially through its food.

Dine Out for Japan is proudly sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA), NBC, Time Out New York, Yelp, Japan National Tourism Organization, Uniqlo, Delta, Marukome, Nikkei, Suntory, and JAA.

Please visit our website at http://bimi.asia/dineoutforjapan to learn more.

SOURCE Azix, Inc.