Many of us love a good rummage through a secondhand store. While the items aren't new, there's a thrill in unearthing a hidden gem, and Japan, in particular, is brimming with these shops. Sometimes, you can even score a long-sought item at a fantastic price.
However, a recent post by the secondhand store "HARD OFF" in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, on X (formerly Twitter) has ignited a lively discussion. The store announced it had acquired a "rather special item": a DSi LL handheld console that Nintendo had donated to residents in evacuation shelters during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. This unique find has stirred up memories for many, sparking a widespread conversation.
Back in 2011, following the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake, Nintendo provided DSi LL consoles as relief supplies to people living in emergency shelters. Each console was equipped with a dedicated OneSeg digital TV tuner, allowing users to watch digital broadcasts. While largely identical to the retail version, these special units and their TV receivers were engraved with the names of the towns they were distributed to, symbolizing a gesture of support.
The store's post read: "We took in a rather special item. Upon checking the engraving, we discovered it was a DSi LL donated by Nintendo to evacuation centers back then. Truly grateful for Nintendo's kindness."
This post quickly went viral, drawing numerous retweets and comments. Many users expressed surprise and admiration for Nintendo's initiative, while others questioned the ethics of selling a donated item. Unaware netizens commented, "Nintendo was so thoughtful!" and "I had no idea they did that back then!"
Some users who were in evacuation shelters at the time shared their experiences: "This DS didn't come with games; it had a TV tuner. We used it to watch evacuation information or tsunami alerts, like a personal mobile TV." Another recalled, "After the earthquake, I also bought that DS antenna because iPhones couldn't watch TV back then. During power outages, everyone relied on these small devices for information."
On the flip side, a significant number of people criticized the sale, stating, "It's inappropriate to sell donated items." Some argued that it disrespects Nintendo's original act of goodwill: "Selling something Nintendo donated for disaster victims is just too much." and "Such goodwill items should be returned with a thank-you note, not monetized."
However, many held the opposite view, suggesting that selling the item isn't disrespectful but rather signifies that "the affected areas have moved past the reconstruction phase." Comments included: "It's been 14 years. The original recipients no longer rely on these devices for daily life, so selling them is natural." and "Nintendo donated these so they could be useful to those in need, right? There's nothing wrong with them circulating now."
Others proposed that the console "should be preserved as a historical record." They argued that this DSi LL is more than just a used game console; it's a precious testament to the 2011 earthquake. Nintendo's efforts to aid disaster victims shouldn't be forgotten, and this console serves as a tangible piece of that history.
While opinions on the sale remain divided, most netizens agree that this DSi LL symbolizes the spirit of mutual aid and goodwill during the 3/11 earthquake. Perhaps this also sheds light on the kind of assistance Nintendo provided to disaster victims back then.
via： togetter