Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Rescue team in Response to the Earthquake in the Southern Island of New Zealand

February 23, 2011
Japanese

In response to the earthquake that occurred in the morning of Tuesday, February 22 (Japan Standard Time) in Christchurch, the Southern Island of New Zealand, Japan dispatched an emergency survey team consisting of three persons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for the purpose of conducting surveys concerning disaster relief activities at the site.
Later on the day, in response to the request by the Government of New Zealand, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Rescue team with a view to searching and rescuing the currently undiscovered people.
Mr. Hisashi Tokunaga, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), departed for Christchurch from Narita Airport with the JDR Rescue team on February 23; they will stay in Christchurch for days. Mr. Tokunaga will give advice to the JDR Rescue team, conduct consultations with the Government of New Zealand, and lead Japan's local Task Force for the earthquake, in order to make the best efforts for the protection of the Japanese citizens.

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