Letter from Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda to Myanmar's SPDC Chairman Senior General Than Shwe

May 9, 2008

In connection with Myanmar's devastating disaster including great numbers of deaths caused by a cyclone, Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan, sent a letter on May 9 to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The gist of the letter is as follows:

I understand that a great many people including about 23,000 dead has fallen victim in Myanmar, centering on the southern part. On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to express our deepest condolence to you.
Japan had already provided emergency assistance in kind including tents and electric generators worth about $570,000. In addition to the assistance, today, May 9, Japan decided to extend emergency assistance of US$10 million to Myanmar. I hope that this assistance will help disaster-afflicted people.
It is important to deploy aid workers swiftly, and Japan is ready to dispatch an emergency medical team to Myanmar. Given the vastness of the disaster-hit areas and the great number of sufferers, it is also important for you to accept assistance and aid teams from other countries or international organizations. I hope that you will give positive consideration to accepting them.

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