Bookoff Corporation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Bookoff), a subsidiary of Bookoff Group Holdings, Ltd. (Headquarters: Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President: Yasutaka Horiuchi) which operates the reuse shop "BOOKOFF," has launched an initiative in response to the major earthquake that occurred in Venezuela on June 24, 2026. In collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official support organization, the NPO Japan Association for UNHCR (Secretariat: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Director: Machiko Kondo, hereinafter referred to as the UNHCR Association), Bookoff will utilize its mail-in purchase donation service "Kimochi to." to support disaster victims. Unwanted books, CDs, DVDs, and game software sent through this service will be purchased, and the proceeds will be used to support the affected areas of the Venezuela earthquake through the UNHCR Association.

Support the Venezuela Earthquake Disaster Areas with Your Unwanted Items

Around 6:00 PM local time on June 24, 2026, major earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela consecutively. Widespread damage to housing and public infrastructure occurred in a broad area, including the capital Caracas. At least 1,700 people were reported dead and approximately 5,000 injured, with concerns that these numbers will significantly increase (as of June 30). Medical facilities and lifelines such as electricity and water have also been affected, forcing many people to evacuate. Emergency support is needed in the disaster areas for safe housing, daily necessities, and water and sanitation.

Bookoff, whose management philosophy is "Contributing to society through business activities," is launching the "Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Support Program" in collaboration with the UNHCR Association through its mail-in purchase donation service "Kimochi to." This service aims to contribute to society by utilizing familiar unwanted items to support disaster-stricken areas abroad. The purchase price of items collected through "Kimochi to." will be used for life-saving activities in the disaster areas, such as providing necessary relief supplies.

Bookoff will continue to value the sentiment of "wanting to make unwanted items useful for someone" through the "Kimochi to." initiative, promoting a circular economy through reuse, and contributing to society by donating purchase proceeds.

How to Apply for the Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Support Program

Application Page: https://sell.bookoff.co.jp/fund/projects/zw186

▼ "Kimochi to." Usage Procedure

1. Apply from the program page: Please apply using the form on the Venezuela Earthquake Emergency Support Program page above.

2. Pack your unwanted items: Pack them in cardboard boxes or paper bags. A delivery driver will pick them up free of charge.

3. Appraisal value supports disaster areas: Bookoff will appraise the items you send, and the appraised amount will be donated on your behalf to support the disaster areas.

"Kimochi to." is a service that converts the appraised value of unwanted items, not money, into support funds and donates the entire amount to organizations, companies, and local governments engaged in social contribution activities. By simply packing unwanted items from around your home and sending them, you can support selected programs and contribute to society, all from the comfort of your home.

About the Japan Association for UNHCR

The Japan Association for UNHCR was established in 2000 as the official support window for UNHCR in Japan. In cooperation with the UNHCR Representation for Japan, it conducts public relations and fundraising activities targeting the private sector, including corporations, organizations, and individuals, to support UNHCR's activities. It is a certified non-profit organization that can issue receipts for donations, allowing for tax deductions (preferential tax treatment).

About "Kimochi to."

"Kimochi to." is an initiative where you can send in your unwanted items such as read books, CDs you no longer listen to, and games you've finished playing, and the purchase price is used to donate, support, and aid various organizations. It aims to contribute to society through the appraisal value of unwanted items and seeks support in various fields, including disaster relief, support for children and women, and environmental problem-solving.

Launched in 2000 as "Volunteer Home Delivery," the service name was changed to "Kimochi to." in April 2019 to better connect with the sentiment of supporting and aiding various things and matters more easily. The name "Kimochi to." embodies the idea that "although the sent items cannot be directly delivered to the recipient, the sentiment will surely be conveyed to them." It is used by many people because it allows for easy donations with unwanted items instead of money, and as of the end of May 2026, the cumulative donation amount has exceeded 524 million yen. It partners with a wide range of organizations, from international NGOs and NPOs to professional sports teams and castle restoration support projects.

Cumulative Donation Amount: 524 million yen (as of the end of May 2026)

Number of Partner/Donation Organizations: 160 organizations (as of the end of May 2026)

Support Categories: Disasters (Conflict/Natural), Medical (Welfare), Child Independence, Culture & Entertainment, Community Support, Animal Support

"Kimochi to." Details Page: https://sell.bookoff.co.jp/fund

Bookoff's Proposed Options for Letting Go of Items

Bookoff operates domestic BOOKOFF stores, as well as premium service businesses such as "hugall," a specialized purchase store within department stores staffed by highly skilled and knowledgeable staff; "Rehello by BOOKOFF," a purchase consultation counter; and "aidect," which handles jewelry reform, repair, purchase, and sale. It also has overseas operations such as "BOOKOFF USA," which engages in reuse activities locally, and "Jalan Jalan Japan," which sells products not sold in domestic stores in Malaysia and Kazakhstan. In addition, it offers various ways to let go of items, from everyday items to those cherished across generations, and circulate them to those who need them next. These include activities to spread the importance of reuse through book donations like the "SustainaBook Project," the box-type unwanted item collection system "R-LOOP," the "Bookoff Mail-in Purchase" service that allows customers without nearby stores to dispose of items from home, and the "Kimochi to." service where the appraised value of unwanted items can be donated to support a chosen program.

Instagram "Smile Circulation | Hints for Sustainable Living"

Reuse is about connecting "smiles" born from not letting the value of things disappear. On Instagram, we share companies' sustainable initiatives and offer hints for living that circulate smiles into the future.

https://www.instagram.com/smile.circulation8/

About Bookoff Group

BOOKOFF began in 1990 with the Chiyoda store (Kanagawa Prefecture), which was 35 tsubo in size. Under the management philosophy of "Contributing to society through business activities and pursuing the happiness of all employees in both material and spiritual aspects," it has grown with over 60 affiliated companies and currently operates approximately 840 stores group-wide, both domestically and internationally. In 2026, it serves approximately 88 million users annually in Japan and handles over 680 million items bought and sold annually. As of 2026, in addition to the premium service business with stores in department stores and affluent residential areas, it is actively engaged in overseas operations in countries such as the United States and Malaysia. As a leading reuse company, it will continue to strive for sustainable business practices.

Corporate Site: https://www.bookoffgroup.co.jp

Service Site: https://www.bookoff.co.jp

Official Online Store: https://shopping.bookoff.co.jp

Bookoff's Vision of a Circular Economy: https://www.bookoffgroup.co.jp/sustainability/top/creating-shared-value/

Sustainability press releases will be issued on the 8th of every month, inspired by "∞" symbolizing circulation.

Inquiries Regarding This Matter: https://www.bookoffgroup.co.jp/contact_us/top/contact-us-02/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 社会貢献
  • Organizations: BOOKOFF USA