President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) posted a message in Japanese on the social media platform X on Friday, in support of people affected by the earthquake that struck the Noto area of Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan.
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit on the afternoon of New Year’s Day. As search and rescue operations continue, the death toll has climbed to 84, with the number of missing people increased to 79. Taiwan has announced a donation of 60 million yen to assist the Japanese government in rescuing the Ishikawa Prefecture and rebuilding the island.
The president’s post said that the emergency in Japan is also an emergency in Taiwan and referred to the special disaster relief account open to the Taiwanese people to donate and do their part for Japan. She emphasized that, like family members, Taiwan and Japan will always lend a hand to each other when they need help most. President Tsai also left a message in Japanese under Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's post, saying "May Japan be safe and may Japan's disaster-stricken areas return to normal life as soon as possible."