Chongqing - At the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus, Japan, among the first batch of countries to help, has been actively supported Chongqing to fight against the epidemic.

Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe, Consul General of Japan Consulate-General in Chongqing, took the interview with iChongqing to share the information on Japan's assistance in the epidemic and his thoughts on the fight against the epidemic.

Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe, Consul General of Japan Consulate-General in Chongqing. Photo from the WeChat public account of the Consulate General of Japan in Chongqing.

According to Mr. Watanabe, the Consulate General of Japan in Chongqing has helped with the aid of Japan to go to the Southwest of China, including Chongqing, Sichuan, and Guizhou provinces. Mito City has donated 50,000 face masks to Chongqing. Hiroshima gave 30950 masks to Chongqing. Sanjo City donated 100,000 masks, 100 sets of medical protective clothing (protective clothing, gloves, goggles, masks), 3000 medical gloves, 600 medical aprons for infection prevention, etc to Chongqing.

"Although there is also a shortage of masks in Japan, the Japanese government, local autonomous bodies, enterprises, friendship associations, etc. have provided a large amount of assistance to meet China's most urgently demand of masks," said Mr. Watanabe, in the hope that the dust can be settled soon. He continued, "We have received a lot of thanks and positive feedback from people here regarding the assistance, and we have also passed this gratitude and messages back to Japan."

Mr. Watanabe believes that, in the face of new epidemics, it is essential to provide correct and rapid information and thorough protective measures. "The Chinese government has made a more appropriate response to the epidemic this time based on the experience gained from the fight against SARS in 2002."

The Consul General also expressed his worries. He said, "Due to the epidemic, the local international exchange activities have to be postponed and suspended. We hope the situation can get better soon so that the active exchanges between Chongqing and Japan could resume."

Mr. Watanabe appreciated the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office for its exceptional efforts to help consulates' work and the staff's life. He said, "We get timely informed about the epidemic situation and measures taken by the municipal government. Wechat groups were set up between consulates to carry out rapid information exchanges and consultation, with remarkable results."