Actress Norika Fujiwara (center) attends the opening ceremony of a school in Cambodia.

Actress Norika Fujiwara opens school for kids in Cambodia

Tuesday 08th April, 11:10 AM JST

TOKYO —

Actress Norika Fujiwara, 36, said this week that her charity organization had opened a school for children in Cambodia on March 25. According to Fujiwara, the school was built in an area four hours by car from the capital Phnom Penh. The school, which used to be made of wood, has been renovated into a concrete building with toilets and a water well. It can accommodate 600 students.

Fujiwara said, “A lot of children attended the opening ceremony, singing a Japanese song for us. I was very happy and they also looked happy. I hope many more people come to realize how their charity efforts can make it possible for poor children to go to school.”

In 2004, Fujiwara visited Cambodia and decided to launch her charity fund organization. She has held photo events to raise funds in order to provide education to Cambodian children. She was awarded a decoration by the Cambodian government for her charity activities.

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14 Comments

rjd_jr at 01:05 PM JST - 8th April

Good for her, beautiful and a big heart to boot
GrouchyGaijin at 01:54 PM JST - 8th April

While I applaud her efforts, and those of many an unsung Japanese philanthropist who do this kind of work for underprivileged kids overseas, I cringe a bit to see Japan's unkindness at home, to the homeless about town, for example. Or to the folks who need social welfare money just to eat. Doesn't charity begin at home?
thepro at 04:58 PM JST - 8th April

The price of one of her handbags could probably fund a second school
keech2 at 05:28 PM JST - 8th April

If anyone is interested in donating to a charity that helps kids in Cambodia get an education, try here: www.theplf.org This is a complete grassroots effort with absolutely 100% of the money going for the kids. If you're not interested in donating, check out the woman who runs the group's story. She is a great lady. If you want an excellent tourguide for time in Siem Reap or any part of Cambodia, also check her out.
hudagree at 08:53 PM JST - 8th April

Nice to see that it will benefit children who need education.
greenteaonsens at 09:03 AM JST - 9th April

Haha! The money she spent on that totally over the top wedding she had last year would probably equal Cambodia's national debt!

The hypocrisy of rich celebs who pretend they are "doing their bit" for Third World poverty is stomach churning.
smartacus at 09:35 AM JST - 9th April

Fujiwara does a wonderful thing, opening a school in Cambodia, and sure enough, right on cue, someone posts a comment criticizing her. Greenteaonsens, who cares how much her wedding cost? Fujiwara has been active in charity causes for many years, holding photo exhibitions and staging other events for children all over the world. I say good for her and shame on you, little man.
greenteaonsens at 09:55 AM JST - 9th April

Fujiwara does a wonderful thing, opening a school in Cambodia, and sure enough, right on cue, someone posts a comment criticizing her. Greenteaonsens, who cares how much her wedding cost? Fujiwara has been active in charity causes for many years, holding photo exhibitions and staging other events for children all over the world. I say good for her and shame on you, little man.

What the hell are you being so angry for? Are you her husband or something?

Fact: Norika's wedding cost an estimated 12 million yen Fact: 12 million yen would go a LONG WAY in a country as poor as Cambodia

Thank you
smartacus at 10:06 AM JST - 9th April

Greenteaonsens I'll repeat my argument. The cost of her wedding is irrelevant to her charity activities. The two are separate issues. May I ask if you donated the cost of your wedding to any charity? Irrelevant, right? Any high school debating student would wipe the floor with you, as I am doing now, if you tried to link the two.

Why don't you just admit that what Fujiwara did is a good thing?
rjd_jr at 10:06 AM JST - 9th April

Thank you smartacus. The loudest critics are the ones that do not donate any of their time or money to any worthy charity. When was the last time those who criticize her here visited children in poor countries and built schools and other help. There are so many celebrities in the world that get attention for how drunk they are, what drugs they're using, who they are sleeping with, good for people like Norika who are making true differences in the lives of others.
johnny416 at 12:06 PM JST - 9th April

Greenteaonsens, wouldn't you rather have a rich snotty celebrity who donates at least some of their time and money to a good cause, as opposed one who does nothing at all. Yes, some may be doing it for good publicity, but the fact is that it does help some very needy people. Just because celebrities make boatloads of money, we shouldn't hold that against them. They're not holding a gun to people's heads to make them buy their CDs, photos, movies, etc. I only with more celebrities in Japan would follow the lead of people like her...
rajakumar at 02:32 PM JST - 16th April

Way to go Norika Fujiwara and Japan donors. Cambodia's 600 students and more in countryside,will now be much better off due to your efforts.
westurn at 02:43 PM JST - 16th April

People from other nations have been doing this for years. So much so that it is now no longer "news" ! Lets hope that this is the beginning of a new trend here in Japan. Lets hope that every celebrity, sports figure, and recording artist gets out there and gives something back to mankind. And not just giving for the sake of promoting something "Japanese" either. This is the main problem with Japan's ODA programs. The vast majority are used to advertise Japanese products, services, or lifestyle. Hell, the whole JICA organization is one big advert for Japan Incorporated. They drive Toyotas, teach how to use Toshibas, and even send hundreds out every year to teach Japanese, hardly a heartfelt gift if you ask me.

Lets hope the tide of "generation me" has turned. This is but one small step. Well done Fujiwara!
keech2 at 03:55 PM JST - 16th April

Interesting video here:http://72.3.245.233/video.php?vid=283&category=undefined&l=South%20Central%20Asia&organization=undefined&location=7