Communities that have experienced strong earthquakes or floods in recent years, ranging from the Tohoku region to Niigata to Kobe, are taking quick action to support Kumamoto Prefecture and its surrounding areas hit by devastating temblors since Thursday night.
The communities want to lend a helping hand not only with supplies but also know-how based on their own quake experiences.
Sendai, which was hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, on Saturday night sent trucks loaded with rice, disposable diapers and other vital supplies to the city of Kumamoto. It also dispatched two officials.