'Songs for Japan' charity album raises US$5 million

A charity album featuring hits from the likes of Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan and Madonna has raised US$5 million for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the record labels involved said.

The album "Songs For Japan," a collaboration between the world's biggest record companies, was released a month ago and has been on sale in digital format and as a two-disc CD set. It was available from March 25 on iTunes and from April 4 as a CD.

Organizers said the Japanese Red Cross Society last month received US$2 million on behalf of featured artists, songwriters, labels, publishers and iTunes, who waived their royalties and proceeds. A further payment of US$3 million was made on Monday. More than 500,000 copies of the album have been sold so far in all formats. Songs For Japan featured 38 hits and classic songs, including "Imagine" by John Lennon, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" by Elton John and "Pray" by Justin Bieber.