Latest In national Maehara seeks NZ support in identifying Japanese quake victimsJapan Today

Latest In national
Maehara seeks NZ support in identifying Japanese quake victims

TOKYO — Departing Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who announced his resignation Sunday over a donation scandal, called his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully on Monday and sought…Departing Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, who announced his resignation Sunday over a donation scandal, called his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully on Monday and sought his government’s support in identifying Japanese victims of a major earthquake that hit Christchurch on Feb. 22, Japanese officials said.

In a 15-minute teleconference, Maehara asked for New Zealand’s continued help in realizing requests from the victims’ families, such as confirmation of their kin’s belongings and identification of those who perished, they said.

McCully expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support in the aftermath of the earthquake, such as the dispatch of a disaster relief team, and said the New Zealand government will offer as much support as possible to the Japanese victims’ families, according to the officials.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry said Sunday the New Zealand police have confirmed the death of Yoshiko Hirauchi, 61, one of 28 Japanese nationals who remained unaccounted for following the devastating quake that killed more than 160 people.

Courtesey:Japan's Today