AKS Co, which manages megapopular all-girl idol group AKB48, announced Thursday that the group's Tohoku reconstruction support project, “Dareka no tameni” (What can I do for someone?), has raised over 1.3 billion yen as of March 12.

In 2011, right after the earthquake, the group immediately launched the fund-raising project across the nation. In addition to financial support, the girls have visited the disaster-hit areas numerous times since May 2011, holding mini-concerts, greeting fans and other seasonal events such as Christmas parties.

"AKB48 will continue with reconstruction support efforts," AKS said in a statement to media.

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