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Miyazaki's Group Raises 73 Million Yen to Save Forest

On October 9, famed anime director Hayao Miyazaki, along with a group of supporters, presented about 73 million yen (US$620,000) to the city of Higashimurayama to preserve what local residents are calling "Totoro's Forest." Developers were initially planning to make this patch of trees near the Fuchi no Mori forest into a housing complex, but stopped amid protests from Miyazaki, local residents, and supporters from all over Japan. The nearby Fuchi no Mori forest served as an inspiration and backdrop for Miyazaki's acclaimed anime film My Neighbor Totoro.

It was also announced Tuesday that 25 million yen (US$210,000) of the 73 million yen total came from donations from the general public. The official site for the campaign to save the forest has been accepting donations via bank transfers and a donation area set up inside the online virtual world Second Life.

If the city approves the current plan concerning the forest, the reacquisition of the land could potentially be completed by November.

Thank you to enjin2000 for the news tip.

Source: Jiji Tsūshin