The Red Cross has confirmed that it has received its pledge of 100,000 euros from Los Angeles, donated by Yoshiki, a Japanese rock star.
“Even though I’ve lived in Los Angeles for many years, Japan will always be my homeland, and Europe—and especially France—has become a second home for me,” Yoshiki states on his website. He adds, “Seeing the people of France, Spain, and Japan facing such disasters is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires in France and Spain, especially those who have lost their homes and the courageous first responders. ” He also announces a donation of €100,000 for the victims of the fires in France and Spain, as well as a donation of 10 million yen (approximately €55,000) for the victims of the earthquake that struck Japan in late July .
The French branch of the Red Cross has confirmed its pledge of a €50,000 donation – the other half destined for Spain. All of this comes from this flamboyant figure of Japanese rock… who is much more than that.
Musician and savvy businessman
Drummer and pianist Yoshiki Hayashi was born in 1965. His childhood was marked by the suicide of his father, who had lost his livelihood, when he was 10 years old—a traumatic yet formative event. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he is involved in numerous philanthropic activities. In 2011, he auctioned off his piano to raise funds for disaster relief. Through a foundation established in his name, he donated $500,000 to the victims of the 2025 California wildfires. A prominent figure in Japanese metal for about a decade, he shifted in the early 1990s toward a more melodic and lyrical style, often accompanied by piano. In 1993, he collaborated with the London Philharmonic Orchestra to record his music.
But music isn’t his whole life: a savvy businessman, Yoshiki has created his own clothing brand (Maison Yoshiki Paris) and collaborated with the Reims-based champagne house Pommery. He even became the star of the last Japan Expo in July. Today, he sports a very personal style: shoulder-length blond hair and vibrant outfits that reflect the energy he brings to the stage. “Life depends on how you look at it,” says this great optimist, who was named one of the 100 most influential people of 2025 by Time magazine.
Yoshiki joins the list of stars mobilizing for the victims of the fires, including Guillaume Canet , Jérémy Frérot, and Léna Situations. A concert organized at the end of August will bring together Zazie, Pascal Obispo , and Renaud, also to benefit the victims.
