Sunday May 27, 2012

Out-of-season Santa Claus appears at evacuee shelter

SAITAMA —

Children were in great spirits when an unexpected Santa Claus showed up at an evacuee shelter in Saitama Prefecture on Tuesday. Straight from his home in Finland, Santa came to Japan to pay a visit to Kazo City, where he presented gifts of candy and shoes to children evacuated from Fukushima Prefecture. 

Santa, who said he normally spends the summer answering letters from children all over the world, told reporters he came to Japan to bring smiles to the faces of disaster-affected children. 

  • 4

    littlebird

    This is a great idea. I hope Santa can visit a lot of kids in a lot of evacuee shelters!

  • -4

    whiskeysour

    Why couldn`t the guy be Tiger Mask guy ? Or Voltron ??? Power Rangers ?

    The bug face guy K????Rider dude ???

    Since its halloween everyday in Japan. I guess its oe

  • 2

    Badsey

    It seems the adults are confused here. -but obviously this is the real Santa Claus on a out-of-season mission. The kids can obviously tell because he is bearing gifts unlike the typical rent-a-Claus. (If you pull on the beard -you can see it is real.)

    Kids need to set adults straight on this.

  • 0

    yabits

    A story to bring tears to my eyes.

  • 0

    sunshinekyutech

    Santa gives dream and wish to people. So many children would be happy. He is kind.

  • 0

    kwatt

    I did not know that Santa Claus comes to places over summer, so maybe he would come any time of the year! I would prefer hot Christmas than cold winter.

  • 0

    BurakuminDes

    I did not know that Santa Claus comes to places over summer, so maybe he would come any time of the year! I would prefer hot Christmas than cold winter.

    Yep - Mr.Klaus visits Australia every summer when it's xmas - even 40 degrees doesnt worry the big fella! Nice story, hope a few of those kids will have smiles tonight!

  • 0

    John Becker

    Straight from Finland??? That's why I never got the G.I. Joe with Kung Fu grip! I kept sending my letters to the North Pole!!!

  • -1

    Alphaape

    Whever thought of this idea is a good person. Glad to see that this has happened some time after the media rush of the relief efforts has died down. I imagine these kids probably feel as if they are forgotton. But I hope that this gives them hope to understand that people still care for their well being!

  • 0

    OrangeW3dge

    Another fine example of Japanese homogeneous culture and non-multiculturalism...

  • -2

    miamum

    I suspect there are some Swedes, Danes and Norwegians that might disagree with the statement "straight from his home in Finland" but nonetheless, lovely idea and I hope it brought a smile to the kids faces.

  • 0

    Hide Suzuki

    Thanks Santa !! I'm sure you made lots of kids happy !!! I wish I could have met you when I was a litlte kid :(

  • 0

    Jeremy Rigby

    I am a professional Santa Claus performer from Australia. Yearly I perform at Park Place shopping center in Oita. This year I am hoping to visit children in a number of shelters on Christmas day to give out toys.

    http://users.tpg.com.au/jrigby//santaclaus.htm

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