The Akita Northern Happinets and Japanime, which produces bj-league All-Star trading cards, have teamed up to help raise money for the Tohoku region.

During this weekend's games in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, 50 Makoto Sawaguchi cards, donated to the team by Japanime, will be sold for ¥1,000, and that cash will go directly to relief efforts to help victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami last month. Sawaguchi, a rookie guard, autographed the cards.

Sawaguchi, 19, is a graduate of Morioka Minami High School.

Akita plays host to the Niigata Albirex BB on Saturday and Sunday.