Buddhist priest Tatsuaki Ohora in Gifu said his group, aimed at promoting Japan-Dunhuang friendship, donated the money to the Dunhuang Academy, which started restoring part of the murals and inner walls of the Mogao Caves in the spring of 2004.

The site has about 500 caves, the oldest of which dates back to the 14th century. The Japanese group's donation was used to help restore two caves.