Japan Honors Birkin

“When I saw all those images on TV after the earthquake I asked myself, ‘What can I do?’ And I bought myself an airplane ticket and rushed there and organized concerts in support.”

In addition to performing in Tokyo only days after the earthquake and nuclear disaster, when most foreign artists had canceled planned shows in Japan, Birkin also set up an “SOS concert” in Paris to raise money.

She still sells bracelets made by women in Sendai, one of the cities hardest hit by the disaster.

“We were very moved by her immediate reaction to the quake,” Suzuki told reporters. “While people have been seen to be stoical and resilient, they wanted reassurance and the feeling that people care. Jane Birkin gave them that.”