(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-14 01:24

TOKYO  -- The Chinese embassy in Japan has collected 30 million yen (about 300,000 US dollars) in donation to China's quake-hit areas from parties, local governments, business groups and people from all walks of life in Japan as of Tuesday evening.

Akihiro Ota, president of the New Komeito party, went to the Chinese embassy late afternoon in person and handed 500,000 yen to Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai. Ota extended sympathy to people in the quake-hit region and expressed condolences to those dead in the disaster.

Toshihiro Nikai, general council chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, entrusted Shinya Izumi, his fellow faction member, to hand 200,000 yen to the ambassador.

Izumi, also a minister in charge of disaster prevention, said Japan is willing to help China with its accumulated experience in rescue and disaster relief.

Takuya Okada, honored president of the Aeon Co. Ltd, went to the embassy and donated 10 million yen. Okada said the company will collect donations at all of its chain stores from Wednesday.

The embassy has also received 10 million yen from cosmetic manufacturer Shiseido, one million yen from the Niigata municipal government, and about 6 million yen from several district governments and parliaments of Tokyo, embassy officials said.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways said they will provide free airlifting for aid materials on flights between Japan and China through June 16, Kyodo News reported, adding that JAL will also provide free tickets for disaster relief personnel in both public and private organizations.

The Association of Chinese Scholars and Students in Japan collected the first batch of one million yen on Tuesday and sent the money to the embassy.

Ambassador Cui appreciated all the help offered by people in Japan.