Donation has not really taken root in Japan yet, like in Western countries. In Japan, donation is sometimes still considered to be an act of hypocrisy, but I believe that, donating is an act of goodwill. By being open about your donation, you are sending a message to your friends or acquaintances that donating to others is a good thing. People who sympathize with your action will then take action themselves, expanding the circle of support.
This is exactly what Ms.Kanae Doi, Director of Human Rights Watch Japan and a lawyer, stated in our previous company interview series, My Philosophy #10:

“Donation is the act of showing “sympathy”. Of course, the act of sympathy could be just posting “I support ○○’s activity” on twitter. It is a big support for the NGO to get messages from people that say “This is the organization I support.” Those actions by the individuals will sway public opinion and urge the Government to take action and lead to problem solving. If you sympathize with us, we want you to take action. I hope in the near future that the Japanese opinion towards donation will change, and that people will be able to step out and donate under their own name with their head held up high.”
―Human Rights Watch Japan Director, Lawyer, Ms.Takako Doi

I agree with Ms.Doi and am planning to make a list of donors to post on this site with the goal of expanding the circle of support. I would like to seize this as an opportunity to change the way people think about donations in Japan.