Vietnamese Embassy informs about citizen protection work, provides emergency communication channels

Immediately after a series of large earthquakes occurred in Japan, Ambassador Nguyen Duc Minh spoke to the press about the citizen protection work of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan.

The gymnasium of a school in Wakura Onsen city, Ishikawa prefecture, where Vietnamese workers in Japan took refuge after the earthquake. (Source: VNA)

Could you please tell us about the Noto Peninsula earthquake situation and the measures the Embassy has been, is and will be implementing in citizen protection work?

On the afternoon of January 1, 2024, more than 20 strong earthquakes occurred widely along the west coast of central Japan, of which the largest earthquake occurred on the Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture with a magnitude of 7.6 - level 7 (highest on the Japanese seismic intensity scale).

Ambassador Nguyen Duc Minh. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Japan)

The strong earthquake and tsunami caused heavy damage to people and property in the districts near the epicenter including: Noto, Wajima, Shigacho, Nanao, Suzu... Many houses and some high-rise buildings collapsed, roads were broken, tens of thousands of households lost electricity, water, and gas. Up to now, about 50 people have died, the number of casualties continues to increase, hundreds of thousands of people have had to evacuate.

Immediately after the earthquake, with the spirit of ensuring the safety and lives of Vietnamese citizens first and foremost, the Embassy, under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador, has and will continue to:

Firstly , quickly, proactively and actively grasp information and immediately post notifications of the situation and hotline numbers (hotline phone numbers) to support citizen protection on the Embassy's website as well as the websites and online contact groups of Vietnamese associations in Japan;

Second , establish a special working group of the Embassy to closely monitor information, especially information related to the safety of Vietnamese people living, studying and working in localities affected by the earthquake.

The working group has contacted and maintained close contact, established hotlines with local authorities (National Disaster Prevention Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan National Police Agency, authorities and police of affected provinces, hospitals in the region, etc.), Vietnamese associations in earthquake-affected localities to learn about the situation of Vietnamese people in affected areas, provide guidance on citizen support and carry out citizen protection work for Vietnamese people;

Third , request competent authorities and enterprises receiving Vietnamese workers to ensure the evacuation of workers to a safe place, provide and ensure necessary necessities for Vietnamese citizens; provide instructions in Vietnamese when necessary;

Fourth , send a working group from the Embassy to the affected area to visit and promptly support our citizens. The Embassy also closely contacts domestic agencies such as the Consular Department/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam to update information and coordinate citizen protection work.

As of 9:00 p.m. on January 2, according to information provided to the Embassy by the Japanese National Police Agency, there have been no reports of Vietnamese casualties due to the earthquake.

Another development, related to the Japan Airlines plane collision on the evening of January 2 at Haneda Airport (Tokyo), the Embassy also immediately contacted local authorities and so far has not recorded any Vietnamese people affected in this collision.

Given the current situation, what recommendations does the Embassy have for Vietnamese citizens living and working in areas affected by the earthquake?

In the context of the severe impact of the earthquake, with aftershocks continuing in the coming days, the Embassy recommends that all Vietnamese citizens living, working and studying in Japan regularly and closely monitor updated notices, comply with the instructions of Japanese authorities, move to shelters designated by local authorities to receive support such as food, water, warmth, sleeping places, first aid and medical care, stay calm, and continue to be vigilant and prevent the effects of aftershocks in the coming days.

In case of emergency, need support, citizens are requested to contact the following citizen protection number:

+ Embassy of Vietnam in Tokyo: +81-80-3590-9136, or +81-80-20346868, +81-90-1255-5537, or email: [email protected] , website: vnembassy-jp.org

+ Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka: +81-90-4769-6789

+ Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka: +81-92263-7668

or the nearest local Vietnamese community contact points;

or contact phone numbers of local authorities where you live:

+ Ishikawa Prefecture Emergency Response Agency: 0762251111;

web: pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/saigai/202401jishin.html

+ Niigata Prefecture Disaster Response Agency: 0252855511;

web: pref.niigata.lg.jp/sec/kikitaisaku/jishin-20240101.html

+ Toyama Prefecture Emergency Response Agency: 0764314111;

web: pref.toyama.jp/1900/bousaianzen/noto_jishin20240102.html