Sony, the PlayStation manufacturer, has contributed $5 million to aid first responders, community recovery initiatives, and support programs for those impacted by the devastating wildfires currently engulfing Southern California.
In a joint statement shared on X/Twitter, Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony's chairman and CEO, and Hiroki Totoki, president and COO, emphasized Los Angeles' significance as the home of Sony's entertainment operations for over 35 years. They pledged continued collaboration with local leaders to identify the most effective ways Sony Group can contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts in the coming days.
The crisis, which began on January 7th, persists, with three major wildfires continuing to cause widespread damage across the greater Los Angeles area a week later. The BBC reports at least 24 fatalities and 23 individuals remain missing in the two most severely affected areas. Firefighters are preparing for challenging conditions as stronger winds are forecast.
Sony's contribution is part of a larger corporate response to the disaster. CNBC reports that other companies, including Disney ($15 million), Netflix and Comcast ($10 million each), the NFL ($5 million), Walmart ($2.5 million), and Fox ($1 million), have also made significant donations.
