Volunteers from the Egao Project regularly visit survivors of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, thousands of whom still live in temporary accommodation more than three years after the disaster.
Smiles of Tohoku —
Volunteers from the Egao Project regularly visit survivors of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami, thousands of whom still live in temporary accommodation more than three years after the disaster.
Egao Project/Supplied
The group is made up of professional makeup artists, models, photographers and other volunteers.
Smiles of Tohoku —
The group is made up of professional makeup artists, models, photographers and other volunteers.
Egao Project/Supplied
Over the last three years, they've visited 180 shelters across Tohoku, a region north of Tokyo that bore the brunt of the disaster.
Smiles of Tohoku —
Over the last three years, they've visited 180 shelters across Tohoku, a region north of Tokyo that bore the brunt of the disaster.
Egao Project/Supplied
The group's activities have helped build a sense of community among those living in the shelters, the Egao Project's founder says.
Smiles of Tohoku —
The group's activities have helped build a sense of community among those living in the shelters, the Egao Project's founder says.
Egao Project/Supplied
The name Egao, or "smile" in English, was chosen because the group hopes to bring joy to the people of Tohoku who have shown remarkable resilience in spite of suffering extraordinary hardships.
Smiles of Tohoku —
The name Egao, or "smile" in English, was chosen because the group hopes to bring joy to the people of Tohoku who have shown remarkable resilience in spite of suffering extraordinary hardships.
Egao Project/Supplied
"They don't even know how much longer they have to live (like this), because the housing situation in Tohoku is not progressing as easily as initially planned, so they're living in quite a challenging, harsh environment," says one of the group's members.
Smiles of Tohoku —
"They don't even know how much longer they have to live (like this), because the housing situation in Tohoku is not progressing as easily as initially planned, so they're living in quite a challenging, harsh environment," says one of the group's members.
Egao Project/Supplied
Katsuhiro Asama, founder of the Egao Project: "I strongly felt I had to do something and anything I could possibly do."
Smiles of Tohoku —
Katsuhiro Asama, founder of the Egao Project: "I strongly felt I had to do something and anything I could possibly do."
Egao Project/Supplied
One of Asama's most treasured images: These women met for the first time on the day an Egao Project photographer captured this picture in May 2011. They have since become close friends.
Smiles of Tohoku —
One of Asama's most treasured images: These women met for the first time on the day an Egao Project photographer captured this picture in May 2011. They have since become close friends.
Egao Project/Supplied
Asama says that many of those living in the shelters are "tired, stressed, physically and mentally exhausted."
Smiles of Tohoku —
Asama says that many of those living in the shelters are "tired, stressed, physically and mentally exhausted."
Egao Project/Supplied
"But from our experience, we know that our activities can lighten up their day a little and make them smile, even for a few seconds," he says.
Smiles of Tohoku —
"But from our experience, we know that our activities can lighten up their day a little and make them smile, even for a few seconds," he says.
Egao Project/Supplied
Asama and his team are determined to keep the project going "until everyone can get their smile back," even if that takes decades.
Smiles of Tohoku —
Asama and his team are determined to keep the project going "until everyone can get their smile back," even if that takes decades.
Egao Project/Supplied