Oita ¨C After a large-scale fire broke out in the Saganoseki district of Oita, many companies and prominent figures with ties to the region have announced donations and other aid to support recovery efforts.

On Friday, major nonferrous metals company JX Advanced Metals offered to donate a total of ?1 billion as a corporate group to the Oita city government, saying it hopes the city will use the money in a way that makes residents feel better as much as possible.

The group has long ties with the region, as its Saganoseki Smelter and Refinery began operation in 1916. ¡°The local community has supported us for 110 years,¡± Shigeki Sakamoto, deputy head of the smelter, said.

Shirogane Noel, a popular virtual YouTuber, said that all proceeds acquired during her livestream on Monday will be donated to Saganoseki. The YouTuber said she grew up in Oita Prefecture and has visited Saganoseki several times.

¡°I sincerely pray for reconstruction as soon as possible,¡± Shirogane Noel posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Major meeting room rental service company TKP has decided to provide ?30 million in financial aid to Oita and offer guest rooms in a hotel it operates as temporary evacuation sites. The company plans to offer continuous support.

¡°Though it¡¯s only a small help, we hope it will support the rebuilding of the lives of people affected by the disaster,¡± TKP President Takateru Kawano, who is from Oita, said in a statement.

The Oita prefectural and city governments began accepting donations on Nov. 20, two days after the fire began. The city had received a total of roughly ?115 million as of noon Friday, and the prefecture is also seeing a steady stream of donations.

Although the fire, which has consumed 182 buildings, has almost been brought under control, some 110 people from around 80 households are still living in evacuation centers. Support for rebuilding their lives has only just begun.

¡°We will do all we can for swift revitalization, including restoring infrastructure,¡± Oita Mayor Shinya Adachi said.