"I`m pretty sure that Japan can cope with the disaster because Japan is a strong country," he said at a press conference here Saturday.
Boediono expressed his condolences to the Japanese government and people while making working visits to Perth, Canberra and Sydney from Wednesday (March 9) to Saturday (March 12).
At the press conference Boediono was accompanied by Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu and National Education Minister M. Nuh.
Boediono said he was following developments following the disaster that had hit Japan even though he was in Australia. He had also conveyed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the Japanese ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta.
"I called the Japanese ambassador to Indonesia in Jakarta to express my deepest condolences," he said.
He said Japan was a good friend of Indonesia considering that the Cherry Blossom country had always been very responsive when Indonesia needed help to overcome major problems.
"I also said to the Ambassador that Indonesia is ready to help Japanese citizens in any way it can," he said.
The magnitude 8.9 earthquake hit Japan on Friday (March 12) at 02.46 pm of local time and triggered a monster 10-meter high tsunami in Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi. The Japan National Police Agency said 1,000 people had died or were unaccounted for as of 10.00 am local time. The death toll reached 287 in nine prefectures, including Tokyo, and 725 people had gone missing following the earthquake that jolted Japan on Friday (March 11) at 2.46 pm local time.
Just now, the Japanese government had warned its people that there would be a one- or two-hour blackout tonight in Tokyo and acid rain would fall on the city, so the people were advised to carry umbrellas or wear raincoats.(*)
(KR-FNY/HAJM/H-YH)
Editor: Ruslan Burhani
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
