1.　The government of Japan expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved over the losses of many lives caused by the earthquake that struck the province of Naggroe Aceh Darussalam and its surrounding on 26 December 2004.

2. On 27 December, representing such concern shown by the state and people of Japan, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi extends his condolences to the President of Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura also sends same expression to the Foreign Minister of Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Hassan Wirajuda.

Condolences sent by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi

Excellency,
    I express my heartfelt condolences on the tragic losses of many lives in your country caused by the massive earthquake in Aceh on 26 December.
    On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to extend my sincerest sympathy to Your Excellency and people of Indonesia. I hope that the suffering of the affected people will soon be alleviated and the damages caused by this calamity will be restored as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Junichiro Koizumi
Prime Minister of Japan

H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of Republic of Indonesia

Condolences sent by FM Nobutaka Machimura

    I am deeply grieved to hear about the tragic losses of many lives caused by the massive earthquake in Aceh on 26 December.
    I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved and my best wishes for the speedy alleviation of the suffering of the affected people as well as for the full restoration in areas damaged by this calamity.

Yours sincerely,

Nobutaka Machimura
Minister for Foreign Affairs

H.E. Dr. Hassan Wirajuda
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

3. Moreover, on 26 December, Mr. Yutaka Iimura, the Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, sent the following message to H.E. Mr. Alwi Shihab, Coordinating Minister of Welfare : “The government of Japan extends its condolences over the losses of lives and damages afflicted by the earthquake and tsunami. As the government of Japan is willing to provide the necessary assistance, it would appreciate the earliest communication over the situation caused by the calamity and the need for assistance.”

4. With accurate information obtained on the condition of the damages in the province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and in the province of West Sumatera, the Government of Japan will provide the assistance the soonest possible so that the afflicted people could lead a normal life as before.

5. To provide an assistance compatible with the condition caused by the calamity, the following steps will be taken :

1. In accordance with the phases of the damages afflicted, consideration will be taken for the necessity of dispatching an emergency team which will consist of medical and evacuation specialists.

2. Assistance will be immediately given to the victims of the calamity.

3. On 27 December, a Coordination Team is to leave Japan in order to work out a coordination with the Indonesian government for an effective realization of the assistance.

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