Earthquake in Japan: PM Lee offers condolences to PM Kishida

 

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday (Dec 4) offered his condolences to the families in Japan who lost loved ones due to the country's powerful earthquake in the New Year.

The earthquake hit Noto district in Ishikawa prefecture, killing at least 78 people. Dozens more are still missing.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake on the Noto Peninsula in the New Year," Mr Lee wrote in his letter to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

"On behalf of the government of Singapore, I offer my condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the disaster."

The powerful earthquake, followed by hundreds of aftershocks, injured at least 330 people, local authorities said.

Thousands of families across Ishikawa are without electricity or water, with rescue teams struggling to reach areas that have been cut off.

'I wish those injured a speedy recovery. Our memories are with the Japanese people at this difficult time,' said Mr Lee and offered Singapore's support to efforts to help the victims.