Cambodians in Japan Remain Safe Despite the Recent Earthquake: MFA
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By:
- Meng Seavmey
January 2, 2024 , 7:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – The Embassy of Cambodia in Japan has reported this morning that there have been no reports on deaths or injuries of Cambodians since a major 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto region in Ishikawa prefecture on Jan. 1.
Eight Cambodian students were evacuated to a safe zone, according to the embassy, cited by An Sokkhoeurn, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement on Jan. 2.
Of those, three were in Ishikawa province and five others were in Niigata province. More than 1,600 Cambodians are living in the six provinces affected by the earthquake. Over 18,000 Cambodians live in Japan according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry and the embassy have been trying to contact the Cambodians living in Japan, and provided the emergency contact (080 4689 9374) and Facebook page of the embassy.
“Cambodians’ safety is the top priority for the government. The ministry and the embassy have been attentively following up with the disaster situation,” the spokesperson said.
The embassy will keep track of the situation and will cooperate with relevant Japanese authorities to report regularly on the progress, the spokesperson added.
The ministry calls on all Cambodians in Japan at the moment to remain careful and follow the instructions issued by the Japanese authorities for their safety.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported yesterday that there was a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Ishikawa prefecture around 4:10 pm local time. All residents were told to immediately evacuate to higher ground.
The quake triggered waves that were at least 1.2 meters (four feet) high with other smaller waves in other areas, damaging the Ishikawa Prefecture’s port of Wajima and cutting power in around 32,700 households in the region.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday issued an instruction to use planes and ships to deliver necessary supplies such as water, food, blankets, heating oil, gasoline, and fuel oil to the people.