Now to our weekly series, The Inspirers, Known to all in Japan as simply KONISHIKI, the career of this Hawaiian-born sumo champion has seen him wrestle, play music and even star in a children's TV program. But it's his latest role that's really caught the attention of the wider public, as he travels around the country providing aid to the victims of Japan's many disasters. His warm Hawaiian greetings, gifts, and hot meals are more than welcome by those in need of a smile. CGTN's Steve Ross tells us more from Tokyo.

From his home in Hawaii, he came to Japan as a youth, and rose to the top ranks of sumo wrestling. He was like a typhoon in the ring – and couldn't help but notice the real ones happening regularly in his adopted home. 'Wazawai', or catastrophic misfortune – 'the wrath of the gods' – is something the Japanese have learned to tolerate. Typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami, and now nuclear disasters are part of life in old Nippon. Konishiki wanted to do something to help. He calls his operation 'KONISHIKI'S KIDS'.

KONISHIKI KONISHIKI'S KIDS "Every year, some kind of disaster is guaranteed. A lot of, lot of natural disasters are in Japan. The people that live there are kind of – live with knowing that there will be some kind of disaster every year."

And, they know KONISHIKI. He's been part of Japan's sports and media landscape for generations, which now helps him lift hearts, feed disaster victims, and bring smiles in tough times.

KONISHIKI KONISHIKI'S KIDS "Parents that watched me during my career kids who are now, like, in college, who watched me getting up in the morning -- it's like this Sesame Street kind of show that's been on here in Japan, so I guess that's why you can see the age range."

KONISHIKI's team is likely to strike after a natural disaster. Among dozens of communities assisted, an area of particular attention is the northern Tohoku region, afflicted by the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis.

KONISHIKI KONISHIKI'S KIDS "The goal is to try to get out there as soon as I can."

With many Tohoku residents still living in temporary housing, hot meals of rich sumo 'chanko nabe' stew and festively wrapped gifts have kindled hope during the holidays, year after year.

KONISHIKI KONISHIKI'S KIDS "It's a Christmas project that we did for five years. We delivered over 3000 gifts. We handed, personally, per kid, one by one, well I personally had it with my team, went out to Tohoku for five years in a row, we just kept on going with a four-ton truck."

STEVE ROSS TOKYO "While Konishiki is still frequently seen on television and the internet, for those who've met him, the greatest impression is on their hearts."

And while it's one man's project, KONISHIKI doesn't do it alone. He's inspired volunteers and businesses to join him in the preparations, wrapping, packing, cooking, and personal delivery.

ENSON INOUE VOLUNTEER "We're letting the people of the north know they haven't been forgotten. Because they're not in the news. It looks like that they've actually got back on their feet, they're fine, but actually they're still not on their feet."

And while KONISHIKI's music, food, and presents make it all look joyful, each 'gifting' trip is a lengthy logistical challenge.

MARTIN FLUCK OAKWOOD ASIA PACIFIC "It took about 3 or 4 weeks, maybe more, I mean, collecting gifts was maybe over two months, and wrapping, it took over one month to do the work, and everybody was very much involved."

KONISHIKI has inspired those caught in disasters and, maybe – when they have recovered – they too will be able to help others in need. For now, it seems, their smiles will suffice.

KONISHIKI KONISHIKI'S KIDS "If that would carry over a day or two – or even that moment – to take their minds off the hardship they're going through."

Steve Ross, CGTN, Tokyo.