[Arai Shoji] Donates Funds for Emergency Food Aid to the Middle East Region
Arai Shoji donated 3 million yen to the UN WFP Association for emergency food aid in the Middle East, motivated by ties with Middle Eastern customers. The donation aims to alleviate suffering in Iran and surrounding countries.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 9, 2026 at 01:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 17:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 02:32 (297h 32m after Collected)
Promptly due to the expansion of the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, the Certified NPO World Food Programme Association (hereinafter referred to as the UN WFP Association) launched the 'Emergency Food Aid Fundraising for Iran and Surrounding Countries' on March 6, 2026. WFP International United Nations World Food Programme is preparing to continue and expand its support activities not only in Iran but also in countries such as Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen, Palestine, and Armenia.
In response to this, Arai Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Ryuzo Arai) donated a total of 3,000,000 yen to the UN WFP Association to assist with emergency food aid in the Middle East.
A donation ceremony was held on April 7, 2026, where our President, Ryuzo Arai, commented:
'Our company has connections with members from the Middle East, particularly in our auction business, with approximately 120 companies from this region. This support is also offered as a token of our gratitude to those who have supported us over the years. This time, the support is not limited to Iran alone, but we hope to reach those in need of food assistance in the Middle East, including Iran and its surrounding countries, as quickly as possible. We will continue to provide support in any way we can.'
Mr. Hajime Aoki, Secretary-General of the UN WFP Association, stated:
'The current crisis is not confined to Iran but has a significant impact on surrounding countries. The UN WFP is already providing emergency food assistance on the ground and is preparing to scale up and respond rapidly as the situation deteriorates. In such circumstances, timely support from the private sector is an extremely important and flexibly usable resource.'
We extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the current humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and pray that the necessary food aid reaches those in need in the region as soon as possible.
[About Arai Shoji Co., Ltd.]
Founded in 1920 as a rice wholesaler, we are now in our 106th year.
We have diversified our business in the food sector, including expanding our trading business through business alliances with Brazil's largest beverage manufacturer, Antarctica (now Ambev), and developing the food supermarket 'Al's Food Market.' In 1987, we opened 'Arai Auction,' a used car auction venue, characterized by a wide lineup including trucks, vans, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, four-wheeled, and two-wheeled vehicles, and we operate auction businesses at 7 locations nationwide.
◆ Location: 17-2 Beni ya-cho, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
◆ Established: 1920 (Taisho 9)
◆ Capital: 100 million yen
◆ Number of Employees: 647 (as of September 2025)
◆ Sales: 23.8 billion yen (Financial year ending September 2025)
◆ President: Ryuzo Arai
In response to this, Arai Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Ryuzo Arai) donated a total of 3,000,000 yen to the UN WFP Association to assist with emergency food aid in the Middle East.
A donation ceremony was held on April 7, 2026, where our President, Ryuzo Arai, commented:
'Our company has connections with members from the Middle East, particularly in our auction business, with approximately 120 companies from this region. This support is also offered as a token of our gratitude to those who have supported us over the years. This time, the support is not limited to Iran alone, but we hope to reach those in need of food assistance in the Middle East, including Iran and its surrounding countries, as quickly as possible. We will continue to provide support in any way we can.'
Mr. Hajime Aoki, Secretary-General of the UN WFP Association, stated:
'The current crisis is not confined to Iran but has a significant impact on surrounding countries. The UN WFP is already providing emergency food assistance on the ground and is preparing to scale up and respond rapidly as the situation deteriorates. In such circumstances, timely support from the private sector is an extremely important and flexibly usable resource.'
We extend our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the current humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and pray that the necessary food aid reaches those in need in the region as soon as possible.
[About Arai Shoji Co., Ltd.]
Founded in 1920 as a rice wholesaler, we are now in our 106th year.
We have diversified our business in the food sector, including expanding our trading business through business alliances with Brazil's largest beverage manufacturer, Antarctica (now Ambev), and developing the food supermarket 'Al's Food Market.' In 1987, we opened 'Arai Auction,' a used car auction venue, characterized by a wide lineup including trucks, vans, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, four-wheeled, and two-wheeled vehicles, and we operate auction businesses at 7 locations nationwide.
◆ Location: 17-2 Beni ya-cho, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture
◆ Established: 1920 (Taisho 9)
◆ Capital: 100 million yen
◆ Number of Employees: 647 (as of September 2025)
◆ Sales: 23.8 billion yen (Financial year ending September 2025)
◆ President: Ryuzo Arai