SINGAPORE - A SINGAPOREAN woman has generously donated S$1 million to help the Japan quake victims.

Ever since the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake shook northeast Japan last Friday, Singaporeans have been showing empathy and pouring in support for the battered nation through donation drives, practical help and so on.

Philanthropists are doing their part too, reported Lianhe Wanbao.

At a donation ceremony held yesterday afternoon at the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, Ms Elaine Low, 24, presented the cheque to Ambassador Yoichi Suzuki.

Ms Low is the daughter of Datuk Low Tuck Kwong, 63, who is the founder of Indonesia-based coal mining company Bayan Resources. Mr Low is the third richest man in Indonesia, according to Forbes magazine.

Mr Low said his company has business ties with Japan, and added that his family has friends and relatives in Japan. The family also has fond memories of Japan's Tohoku region, one of the regions worst hit by the earthquake and tsunami.

Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: ST)

The Straits Times reported that the $1 million donation came from Ms Low's own pocket. Ms Low, who is in charge of business development at her family's company, is leaving it to the Japanese to decide how to use her donation. The same report said that the donation would most likely go to the Japanese Red Cross.

The spokesman of the Japanese embassy told the Chinese evening daily that the embassy only received a call from the Japanese Association here yesterday evening, informing them of the donation. At short notice, they had to organise a ceremony to host Ms Low.

Ambassdor Suzuki said this is the largest donation received for the tsunami victims so far.

Contributions to date

So far, $235,000 has been raised by the Singapore Red Cross Society, excluding the $500,000 pledged by the Singapore Government, reported The Straits Times today.

World Vision Singapore and Mercy Relief have raised over $190,000 and $43,280 respectively.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) will also be collecting donations from tomorrow onwards.

Want to donate to the victims the Japan earthquake? Here's how you can help.