The government said Friday it will provide $500,000 in emergency grant aid to the New Zealand Red Cross to support disaster-relief activities in Christchurch, where dozens of Japanese students remain missing after a devastating earthquake.
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara also announced Friday the government will send two doctors to assist with the mental state of Japanese survivors and their families. The ministry set up a special hotline for the families Thursday.
A Japanese rescue team of about 70 members is already in Christchurch.