Taiwan gives Japan $9.4 million for Kumamoto reconstruction — Taipei Times
In Taipei, Taiwan handed Japan more than NT$300 million, or US$9.4 million, raised through a public campaign to rebuild affected communities in Kumamoto Prefecture after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung presented the funds to Kazuyuki Katayama, head of the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, during a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry headquarters.
As Taipei Times reports, the earthquake that occurred on July 28 killed 38 people and damaged nearly 43,000 homes.
Public fundraising campaign
On August 1, the Foreign Ministry tasked the International Cooperation and Development Fund with opening and administering a donation account. It was the first time the ministry had involved the organization in conducting a public fundraising campaign for disaster relief.
According to Lin, more than NT$300 million was deposited into the account over one month. All funds raised will be directed toward recovery and reconstruction. The minister thanked companies, civic organizations and Taiwanese communities abroad for their contributions.
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Support from authorities and businesses
Lin said that Kumamoto’s safety is a shared concern for Taiwan and Japan. He also noted that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and companies in its supply chain have begun operations in the prefecture, leading more Taiwanese people to move there to work and live.
Kazuyuki Katayama thanked Taiwan’s government and residents, saying that the swift and large-scale response demonstrated the close friendship between Taiwan and Japan. Tomoaki Motojima, head of a Taiwanese association representing people from Kumamoto, also expressed gratitude to donors and spoke about the consequences of the earthquake and reconstruction needs.
Earlier, Taiwan’s government allocated NT$5 million in aid. President William Lai, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim and Premier Cho Jung-tai each donated NT$200,000. Separately, TSMC, which has a plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, pledged ¥250 million, or US$1.6 million, for reconstruction.
