Japanese planes carrying water leave for Tonga

Two Japanese aircraft carrying aid supplies left Komaki Air Base in Aichi Prefecture for Tonga on Thursday. Two C-130H aircraft carrying drinking water will provide transportation support as part of the Tonga emergency relief operation.

The government is also planning to dispatch a transport vessel "Osumi" carrying two CH-47 helicopters and other goods. Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi told reporters on Thursday that his ministry will do everything it could for the disaster-hit people of Tonga.