'Ready to extend all possible assistance': PM Modi writes to Kishida after Japan earthquake

“India is ready to extend all possible assistance” to Japan that witnessed a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake on New Year’s Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in a letter to his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida. PM Modi conveyed his deep condolences and expressed India’s solidarity with Japan and as well as its people affected by the massive earthquake on 1 January, 2024. In a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, PM Modi said, “As a special strategic and global partner, India values its relationship with Japan, and is ready to extend all possible assistance at this hour.” At least 94 people have died and over 240 are still missing in Japan, making the disaster potentially deadlier than the 2016 earthquake and possible worst since the devastating quake and tsunami struck the Asian nation’s east coast in 2011. “I am deeply anguished and concerned to learn about the major earthquake that struck Japan on 1 January, 2024,” PM Modi said. “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,” PM Modi added. The Japan earthquake has caused widespread devastation, flattening homes, triggering a tsunami, and cutting off remote communities. Japanese PM Kishida said he received offers of help and messages of condolence from various governments, including Taiwan and China. On Friday, Japan decided to accept $100,000 aid by the United States which includes blankets, water and medical supplies. The US has also promised more help would come. A report by Bloomberg cited Takahide Kiuchi, an executive economist at the Nomura Research Institute, saying the loss from the earthquake in Japan is estimated to be around ¥800 billion ($5.5 billion). Kishida-led Japan government, however, plans to use 4.74 billion yen in reserve funds to help the quake-hit area, a report by Kyodo News cited the country’s finance minister as saying.