“We stand in solidarity with Japan”: PM Modi

Following the significant earthquake in Japan on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday, expressing condolences to the families of the deceased. According to sources, PM Modi conveyed deep sorrow and concern regarding the major earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, 2024.

PM Modi stated, “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.” He emphasized India’s commitment as a special strategic and global partner, expressing readiness to provide all possible assistance in this challenging time.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.5, resulted in at least 64 fatalities in the Noto Peninsula and surrounding areas in central Japan on Monday, as reported by Kyodo News. Search and rescue operations are hindered by rubble and severed roads in the affected regions. The extent of the disaster, including structural damage and fires in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is yet to be fully assessed.

Access to the northern part of the remote Noto Peninsula was restricted for over 24 hours, and although the Meteorological Agency of Japan lifted tsunami advisories along portions of the western coast on Tuesday, the aftermath of the earthquake remains challenging.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, after a disaster emergency meeting on Tuesday, informed the media that the affected location was no longer accessible due to a wrecked road. Fire department officials reported the collapse of 25 buildings, including houses, in Wajima City. Approximately 200 buildings, including shops and houses, are believed to have been burned around Asaichi Street, a popular tourist spot. The United States Geological Survey confirmed the earthquake’s occurrence on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture around 4:10 pm local time, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).