A catastrophic earthquake hit the northeastern part of Japan on March 11, causing hea- vy casualties and loss of property.
On March 12, President Song Jian of the China-Japan Friendship Association and CPAFFC President Chen Haosu respectively sent condolence messages to the seven friendship-with-China organizations in Japan, namely the Japan-China Friendship Association, the Japanese Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, the Dietmen’s League for Japan-China Friendship, the Japan-China Association for Economy and Trade, the Japan-China Society and the Japan-China Friendship Centre, and to local government organizations including the Japan National Governors’ Association, the Japan Association of City Mayors and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations. The messages expressed the hope that the people in the devastated quake region would overcome the disaster and rebuild their homeland as soon as possible.