Justin Bieber met with Japanese children whose lives have been devastated by an earthquake, tsunami and an ongoing nuclear crisis that has forced thousands of families from their homes.

In Japan for several concerts, the 17-year-old singer spoke briefly with nearly a dozen kids.

Justin walked into the room with the children and squeezed onto a couch with them. The girls and boys, all representatives of some of the hardest-hit communities in northeastern Japan, shyly peered at Bieber as he made small talk with them.

“How old are you?” the singer asked one of the girls.

One boy from Otsuchi read a card from the children to Bieber, thanking him for meeting with them.

“We have friends who lost their family and their homes, some have left our school. The town is covered with wreckage and it will take a long time to get back to normal,” he said.

“But we will work hard for this. Please give us courage through your music.”

Speaking of the meeting Justin said, “just met some incredible kids who have been thru alot because of the devastation here in Japan. blessed to meet them and proud to know them.”

He continued: “when you meet kids like that..with all their strength and courage to move on you realize the important things in life. #supportJapan”