X JAPAN Mainman's YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA: Call To Action

A six-minute video spotlighting some of the charitable efforts of the Yoshiki Foundation America, the California non-profit, public benefit corporation founded in 2010 by Japanese musician Yoshiki of the multi-million-selling rock band X JAPAN, can be viewed below.

Shock-rocker Marilyn Manson told LA Weekly at the opening party for Vivienne Westwood's Melrose Avenue shop in Los Angeles that he will be working with Yoshiki on a forthcoming project to benefit earthquake/tsunami relief in Japan.

"He's a good friend of mine," Manson said of the famed drummer. "I am also working with him on helping out with the benefit for Japan, only because I like their clothes. I got these glasses from Japan." He added, "My fashion and charity ties together in that I'm very selfish."

Yoshiki recently put his favorite "crystal" piano on the auction block, donating all proceeds to help provide aid to the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

The custom-made, plexi-glass "Yoshiki Signature Piano by Kawai" with Yoshiki's name engraved on it, was used when the band played their legendary shows at the Tokyo Dome.

The Japanese-born Yoshiki, who lives in Los Angeles, felt the earthquake tremors while in a Tokyo recording studio working on X JAPAN's first North American album, and was shocked by the large-scale damage across Japan. "It took awhile to locate my mother, but she is, thankfully, OK," said Yoshiki, "and I've spoken with [band members] Toshi, Pata, Sugizo and Heath, and they are all safe as well."

X JAPAN has decided to postpone the release of their first U.S. single, "Jade", that had been scheduled to be released last month, so that they may focus on their time and energies on helping with the recovery.

In addition to raising money by auctioning his "crystal" piano, Yoshiki is collecting donations for the Japanese disaster relief through the Yoshiki Foundation America. In 2010, the Yoshiki Foundation donated to American organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, the Grammy Foundation, and St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels, but for the time being, all money raised through YSF will to go Japanese aid.