Nearly 5,000 Indians leave Japan

Nearly 5,000 of a 25,000-strong Indian community based in Japan have already left that country in the aftermath of the tsunami, resulting from a devastating earthquake last week.

“It is difficult to give the exact number of Indians who have left so far, as they are leaving from various airports, apart from Tokyo. However, according to estimates, the number at present is between 4,000 to 5,000,” official sources said, adding the government was closely monitoring the situation in Japan. “It is a fast-evolving situation. No one can say what will happen in the next 24 or 48 hours,” they said. The Indian community in Japan was concentrated in the Kanto and Kansai regions. Air India has introduced daily flights with enhanced capacities to Japan, to assist those who wish to return.

India has asked its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Japan. “All Indian nationals are reported to be safe and have been advised to take precautions suggested by the Japanese authorities from time to time. For the time being, non-essential travel to Japan may also be avoided,” the ministry of external affairs said in a release.

Meanwhile, after the first consignment of relief material to Japan, which comprised woolen blankets, India has offered to send a team from the National Disaster Management Authority and a response from Japan is awaited.