 After the devastating March 11th Touhoku tsunami and earthquake, Kanjani Eight were selected because the members themselves were affected by the 1995 Hanshin earthquake, nearly 16 years earlier.Murakami commented, in regards to being selected to host the fund raising event, " Now it's our turn to return the favor ", in regards to the help given to them during the 1995 quake.Yokoyama stated, " I can still remember the screams and the parents protecting us.