Japan ready to assist in disaster response

TOKYO – The Japanese government on Monday expressed readiness to send relief and rehabilitation support to countries stricken by disasters. 

Tetsuji Morimoto, deputy director for disaster management of Japan’s Cabinet Office, told foreign journalists here that Japan continues with its commitment to provide assistance when needed by other countries. 

“Japan is always willing to cooperate in disaster relief effort,” he said, citing as example the relief and rehabilitation support to the Philippines when Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) struck Eastern Visayas in 2013.

The Japanese government then provided $30 million (about 3 billion yen) in emergency shelters, food, water and healthcare goods as part of its humanitarian support for the Philippines, on top of the emergency support materials and the medical and disaster response specialist team dispatched to typhoon-affected areas.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), under Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also implementing the Typhoon Yolanda Disaster Emergency Recovery and Reconstruction Assistance Project as an emergency recovery project. 

“The government of the Philippines expects Japan to provide assistance, including technical advice, based on Japan’s experience in the areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011,” said JICA.  

“The project is not a mere recovery and reconstruction project, but also assists a comprehensive process for early recovery and reconstruction of the afflicted areas and building disaster resilient societies and communities based on Japanese experiences and lessons,” it added.