Osaka prefecture presented the Japan Racing Association (JRA) with a letter of appreciation on Thursday for “Funds to help Osaka with COVID-19.”
Those funds relate to JPY200 million (US$1.9 million) donated by the JRA to support medical and related personnel in Osaka’s fight against COVID-19.
Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura expressed his gratitude, stating, “Thank you very much for such a generous donation. This was possible thanks to the many fans of horse races run by Japan Racing Association.
“We must defeat COVID-19 and continue with social activities. I hope to take positive action and get back to the normal, lively Osaka.”
JRA Director Sadao Yokota commented that “the JRA’s fundamental policy is to exist ‘with society’ and part of that is to contribute to society through holding horse races. We hope the donation will be useful.”
The JRA announced it would donate JPY5 billion (US$47.4 million) of its sales from the Takarazuka Kinen Race (GI), held on 28 June, as support for measures against COVID-19. The association also made a JPY500 million (US$4.7 million) donation to the Japan Student Services Organization on the same day.
In the past, the JRA has donated JPY 5.9 billion (US$55.9 million) for the 1995 Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake and JPY5.4 billion (US$51.2 million) for the 2011 Tohoku earthquake.