Guyana extends solidarity, offers support to Japan following devastating earthquake

– as President Ali dispatches letter to Japanese Emperor

In the wake of a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan, killing over 50 people and causing billions in infrastructural damage, Guyana has reached out to offer its condolences and support to its Japanese bilateral partner.
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday dispatched a letter to Emperor Naruhito of Japan, in which he extended condolences to the Japanese people and also expressed hope for the swift recovery of those injured in the quake.
“Your Imperial Majesty, it is with sadness and deep concern that I extend my heartfelt condolences to Your Imperial Majesty and the people of Japan in the wake of the recent earthquake and its aftershocks that have struck your country,” President Ali wrote.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this challenging time. The government and people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana express our deepest sympathy to the families who have lost their loved ones and extend our wishes for the swift recovery of those injured.”
Meanwhile, President Ali expressed confidence that Japan will be able to recover from the devastation of the earthquake, going on to offer the Japanese solidarity and support in their moment of need.
“I am confident that your country will prevail in its efforts to rebuild and recover in the aftermath of this horrific natural disaster. Guyana stands by Japan during this sad moment, offering our support and solidarity. Please accept, Your Imperial Majesty, the assurances of my highest consideration,” the President further said.
The earthquake struck western Japan on Monday afternoon, New Year’s Day, triggering tsunami alerts as far away as eastern Russia, prompting orders for residents to evacuate affected coastal areas of Japan even as buildings collapsed and fires erupted.
The earthquake struck at 4:10 pm local time at a depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles) in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa prefecture, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Per CNN reports, the Japan Meteorological Agency immediately issued a tsunami warning along coastal regions of western Japan, and the first waves were reported hitting the coast just over 10 minutes later.
Some of the first reports came from the city of Wajima in Ishikawa prefecture, which saw tsunami waves of around 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) around 4:21 pm, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. No immediate damage was reported.
The Defence Ministry subsequently dispatched 1000 military personnel to help the rescue and recovery efforts, Subject Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.
The Japan Meteorological Agency meanwhile issued a “major tsunami warning” – the first since 2011’s devastating earthquake – for Noto but later downgraded it to a “tsunami warning.”
Under Japan’s tsunami warning system, waves expected less than 1-metre fall under “tsunami advisory,” while those expected up to 3 metres fall under “tsunami warning” and waves expected above 5 metres fall under “major tsunami warning.” In a televised address earlier, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged people living in areas under tsunami warnings to evacuate to higher ground.
Only recently, there has been intensified bilateral collaboration between Guyana and Japan, as both countries have been elected to serve as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 2024. Guyana and Japan have pledged to work together on several global security challenges during their terms as non-permanent members of the Council.