Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Joseph Wu, announced on Thursday that his country will donate 60 million yen, approximately 420,000 US dollars, to assist in relief and reconstruction efforts following the recent devastating earthquake that struck central Japan with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale.
According to Japan’s NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Wu emphasized that the state of emergency in Japan is also a state of emergency in Taiwan, expressing his hope that earthquake victims can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.
Wu stated that Taiwan and Japan have supported each other whenever they needed assistance, showing his country’s solidarity with Japan.
Taiwanese authorities have clarified that citizens can make monetary donations at banks, post offices, and stores starting from tomorrow, Friday, until January 19. They also indicated that they would consult with Japanese officials to determine the destination for the funds.
A massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan, causing widespread destruction and a major tsunami warning. The earthquake, which was felt even in Tokyo, approximately 300 km away, resulted in the collapse of buildings, fires, and widespread power outages across the region. Ishikawa Prefecture, particularly the Noto Peninsula, was the hardest hit. The quake led to the evacuation of nearly 100,000 people across nine prefectures, with many taking refuge in sports halls and school gymnasiums equipped with emergency supplies.
The impact of the earthquake was severe, with reports of at least 30 collapsed buildings in Wajima and several fires. This disaster comes at a sensitive time for Japan’s nuclear industry, but thankfully, no irregularities were reported at nuclear plants along the Sea of Japan, including the nearest one in Ishikawa. In the aftermath, about 31,800 people were sheltered, as tens of thousands of homes were destroyed. Access to some of the worst-hit areas, like the Noto Peninsula, was challenging due to damaged roads, prompting considerations of sea routes for delivering aid.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the damage to infrastructure, with severe challenges in reaching those trapped under rubble. Japan, known for its earthquake preparedness, faced difficulties despite robust infrastructure and warning systems. The earthquake generated significant tsunami waves and sparked concerns about further seismic activity, with the Japan Meteorological Agency warning of potential aftershocks.
