Press Releases
Victorian Bushfires: Australia Thanks Japan for its Support
TK02/2009
23 February 2009
Australian Ambassador to Japan, Mr Murray McLean, today expressed his warm appreciation to Japan for its support for the victims of the recent Victorian bushfires.
"It is a sign of the deep friendship between our two countries that the people of Japan have been so generous in their response to these devastating bushfires", said Mr McLean. "I am deeply moved by the heartfelt messages of sympathy and generous donations that have flowed in from our many Japanese friends."
The Ambassador has received donations for the victims of the bushfires from a number of Japanese companies, from senior politicians, from heads of prefectural and local Government and from other officials. Many have signed an official condolence book which was open last week at the Ambassador's Residence at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. Numerous Japanese individuals have donated their own funds towards the bushfire recovery effort.
Australia marked its worst natural disaster with a Day of National Mourning yesterday. In his address to the bushfire victims, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd acknowledged the support of other countries saying "...beyond our shores, know too that you are also surrounded by an ocean of compassion from every country on God's earth".
The recent bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria have so far claimed 209 lives and destroyed over 450,000 hectares of forest and grassland, as well as more than 2,000 houses and other properties.
Donations for the victims of the Victorian Bushfires can be made directly to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009:
http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services_emergencyservices_victorian-bushfires-appeal-2009.htm
or to the following bank account:
Account Name: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Tokyo
Bank Name: Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd.
Branch: Tokyo Main Office
Account Type: Current
Account No: 0300501
Customer reference: 104620