New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Wednesday, said government sources, after almost 150 earthquakes struck Japan in a single day on New Year’s Day.
“I am deeply anguished and concerned to learn about the major earthquake that struck Japan on 1 January, 2024. I express my deepest condolence to the bereaved families of those who lost their lives. We stand in solidarity with Japan and its people affected by the disaster,” said the Indian Prime Minister in a letter to his Japanese counterpart, government sources told ThePrint.
Modi added: “As a special strategic and global partner, India values its relationship with Japan, and is ready to extend all possible assistance at this hour.”
On 1 January, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit Japan, becoming one of the largest quakes to hit the country since 2018. It has reportedly claimed the lives of over 100 people and injured over 450, resulted in widespread infrastructural damage to at least 200 structures, caused landslides in certain areas and created power and water shortages.
Movement of Japan’s infamous bullet trains has also been suspended.
The recent quake also raised fears of a potential repeat of the deadly 2011 tsunami that was triggered by a quake off northeastern Japan and left about 18,500 people dead.
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India offers assistance
A day after the quake, the Japanese Prime Minister issued a statement after conducting a disaster response meeting, saying there was “very extensive damage”, including numerous casualties, building collapses and fires caused by the earthquake.
According to a report by public broadcaster NHK Japan, Kishida hinted at revising Japan’s draft budget for 2024 in the wake of the disaster. He had reportedly suggested making use of the remaining reserve funds for the current fiscal year to provide relief to the quake-hit areas, which would approximately comprise $3.2 billion.
In his letter to the Japanese Prime Minister, sources said PM Modi offered to extend assistance to the Asian country following the mass destruction caused by the earthquake. However, no such aid or assistance has been delivered as yet, the sources added.
Last year, India sent search and rescue teams after the Turkey-Syria earthquake under “Under Operation Dost”. Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a field hospital, pharmaceuticals and other necessary equipment and materials were sent to the disaster-hit region.
It has been reported that Japan is in talks with the U.S. about emergency assistance and has rejected offers for help from other countries for the time being.
“We are not accepting any personnel or material aid from other countries or regions at the moment given the situation on the ground and the effort that would be required to receive them,” Japan’s top spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi has been quoted as saying.
(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)
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