Five Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in Japan have been closed in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

This is yet another reminder that the world is flat -- and that global is increasingly local, as the saying goes.

Overland-based Build-A-Bear has a franchisee who runs nine stores in Japan. All of the stores' employees are safe, a company spokeswoman said.

The five stores that have closed are all in shopping malls that have shuttered in the wake of the disaster. These stores are in Sendai, Hanyu, Narita, Koshigaya and Tsuchiura.

Build-A-Bear's foundation also announced this week that it is making a donation of $25,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts in Japan.

In addition to company-owned stores in the United Kingdom, Build-A-Bear has franchisee agreements in 12 countries including South Africa, Thailand, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates.

Another one of its franchised stores in Bahrain was also recently closed due to the political turmoil in that country.