iTunes makes donating to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan easy

Apple has made donating towards Japan earthquake relief easy for millions (and millions) of iTunes users. They've set up a separate section in iTunes where users can go to donate to the Red Cross. The iTunes link is here.

Users can donate in increments of $5, $10, $25, $50, $100, and $200. Don't worry; unlike other iTunes purchases, Apple won't be taking a cut: 100 percent of the money donated through iTunes goes to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

At the same time, Apple Japan has posted the following on its site:

”To those who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami, we send sympathies from our heart. In this deep sadness, we are praying for the victims and their families.”

Meanwhile, Microsoft will donate up to $100,000 of its own money, but has taken flak for turning the donation effort into a marketing campaign.

Those who wish to donate directly to the Red Cross can also text REDCROSS to 90999. The $10 donation made that way will be applied to your cell phone bill.

On Friday, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan, near the city of Sendai. The quake and the following tsunami have devastated the country, damaged some nuclear power plants. A tsunami wave even reached the coastal city of Crescent City, California, and killed a man who was washed out to sea.