The Department of Overseas Labor at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs has asked businesses that sent workers and apprentices to the Japanese prefectures of Ishikawa, Toyama, Niigata, and Fukui to promptly take measures to protect those in earthquake-affected areas.

It asked these enterprises to immediately contact workers and apprentices in these areas and assess their situation, and compile data on the number of persons affected (if any) and the difficulties they face that require urgent assistance.

Labor export enterprises must closely work with labor management unions, recipient companies, and relevant stakeholders to fully understand the situation workers are facing and prepare response plans, provide support to those facing difficulties due to the earthquake, and ensure the safety of life and property by temporarily relocating them from old or earthquake-prone buildings.

They were also asked to maintain contact with workers and apprentices to promptly instruct them on earthquake mitigation and evacuation measures in cases of emergency, and to share the phone number of the labor management board in Japan: +81 70 1479 6888, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo: +81 80 3590 9136.

Enterprises were also directed to regularly report to the department and the Labor Management Board in Japan on any difficulties and obstacles they encounter when offering support, to receive guidance and coordination.

An earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, causing tremors in several prefectures and cities in the Hokuriku region.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning and urged residents living near the coast, especially in Ishikawa, Toyama, and Niigata prefectures, to evacuate immediately.