Japan Platform (JPF) is launching a new series with actor Kirari Murayama, "Kirari's Notebook of Discoveries," which shares the humanitarian aid work of JPF and its member NGOs in a way junior and senior high school students can easily understand. Last year, Kirari Murayama served on the "JPF 25th Anniversary Special Support Team," and the YouTube videos and other social media posts from that time were viewed more than 120,000 times in total.
In the new series, Kirari Murayama visits aid sites to experience the work of member NGOs and takes part in events, exploring simple questions such as "Why is humanitarian aid needed?" and "Is there anything we can do?" from a 16-year-old's perspective. Impressions are drawn as illustrations and notes in a "Kirari Notebook," with the aim of helping peers and their parents feel that humanitarian aid is something close to them.
The first installment is set in Noto, which was hit by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024 and by heavy rains eight months later. Kirari Murayama visited in August 2026 and took part not as an observer but "on the supporting side": as a student volunteer at a community dining space run by PARCIC in Noto Town, and as a staff member for Shanti Volunteer Association's mobile library and for "Machino no Ma," a community hub run by Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center, in Wajima City. Since the day of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, JPF has carried out 43 aid projects through a total of 17 member NGOs in 17 cities, towns and villages in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Key points
- A 16-year-old actor digs into the "whys" of humanitarian aid from the same perspective as junior and senior high school students
- The first installment is in Noto, experiencing the "supporting side" at a community dining space, a mobile library and a community hub
- The "Kirari Notebook," with illustrations and notes of what was felt, will be released in part 2
Why This News Deserves Attention
Humanitarian aid can easily feel like a distant event in the news. By showing the field through the eyes of someone their own age, this series can prompt junior and senior high school students to think, "Maybe this has something to do with me."
In Noto, more than two and a half years after the earthquake, challenges such as prolonged life as evacuees and rebuilding local communities continue. Being able to learn about medium- and long-term aid in such an approachable way is also valuable.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“What struck me was that the 16-year-old actor joined in running a dining space and a mobile library not as an observer but on the supporting side. By actually taking part rather than just watching, words that truly reach peers can emerge.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“Words that reach peers, as Aoba says, are exactly what makes this series appealing. I also like the idea of drawing impressions as illustrations and notes in a notebook. With pictures as well as words, feelings come across directly.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Following your thoughts, I want to turn my attention again to the support that is still continuing in Noto. Even more than two and a half years after the earthquake, places that support daily life are still needed. I hope it sparks conversations within families.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“A dining space that becomes a place for children, a mobile library visiting temporary housing, a community hub for regaining "everyday life": it is refreshing to see the ongoing support in Noto through the eyes of a 16-year-old.
Part 1 of the main video is scheduled for early to mid-November. We hope you will watch it together as a family and use it as a chance to talk about humanitarian aid.”