Japan Benefit Raises $10M

“Songs for Japan,” the special compilation album of songs by some of the world’s biggest pop stars, has raised $10 million for victims of Japan’s March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Representatives of the four major record labels met with Japan Red Cross Society Vice President Yoshiharu Otsuka Nov. 8 to mark the occasion at a reception hosted by Frances Moore, the chief executive of the worldwide recording industry organization IFPI.

The collection, which contains 38 tracks, includes five No. 1 hits. It was rush-released March 25 as a digital album on iTunes, followed by a two-CD set.

The Red Cross, which distributes the revenues, said “one hundred percent of the money raised goes directly to those most in need.”

All participating artists, songwriters, labels and publishers, not to mention iTunes, waived their royalties and proceeds for the project. Moreover, manufacturers and distributors donated materials and services.

Altogether, more than 1 million copies of “Songs for Japan,” in either digital or physical form, have been purchased worldwide.