Asia-Pacific

Germany pledges to offer help to Japan on earthquake

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-11 16:26

A tsunami carries buildings (bottom) across waters in Kamaishi city port in this still image taken from video footage March 11, 2011. A massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing many injuries, fires and a four-metre (13-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline, NHK television and witnesses reported. [Photo/Agencies]?

BERLIN - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Friday morning Germany will offer help to Japan if it needed.

Related readings:  Tsunami hits, one reported dead after Japan quake  Japan quake won't affect Chinese mainland 'obviously'  Strong earthquake jolts East Japan

"If help is required, Germany will of course help our partner country of Japan," Westerwelle said at Local TV station ZDF in the morning.

Westerwelle did not release any specific rescue plan.

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan's northeastern Honshu island Friday. The focus of the quake, which occurred at 2:46 pm local time (0546 GMT), was located some 10 km under the sea 130 km east of the Miyagi Prefecture.