Firefighters search for missing people after heavy rains caused flooding in Wajima, Japan, on Sept. 22, 2024. The two sides should expand cooperation in disaster prevention, humanitarian assistance and social resilience, enabling both to remain trusted and important partners to each other, he said. Government and civilian search-and-rescue teams assembled and departed for Japan within 72 hours, he said. Similarly, Japan has come to Taiwan’s aid during natural disasters such as the 921 Earthquake in 1999 and Typhoon Morakot in 2009, dispatching its own search-and-rescue teams, Lai said. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan also donated supplies, funds and vaccines to Taiwan, he added.

Source: Taipei Times March 11, 2026 05:50 UTC