Tsutomu told reporters that he had already relayed to the Japanese government the CNMI’s willingness to accommodate evacuees from the disaster areas in Japan.
Several individuals had also signed the book of condolences as of 3 p.m. yesterday and more are expected to visit the Japanese Consulate on the second floor of the Bank of Hawaii Building in Puerto Rico today and next week.
The Japanese government, he said, urged its embassies and consulates all over world to open books of condolences and allow people to express their sympathy to the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeast coast of the Asian nation last week.
Higuchi said he is grateful to the CNMI government and people “for the very warm sympathy and deep condolences they have afforded to the Japanese people.”
“I’m very touched,” he added.
Higuchi said he also understands that the CNMI government is ready to provide refuge to evacuees from Japan.
But he said he had not received any information about victims who want to leave Japan.
“At this time I have no idea whether there are people there who are planning to evacuate to CNMI. Japan right now is in a very chaotic situation. Everything is very confusing. Everybody is confused and disturbed,” he said, adding that the main concern of the people in affected areas is how to survive.
Also yesterday, Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, pre-filed a resolution urging Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to work closely with the proper authorities to assist the earthquake and tsunami victims.
The resolution urges the CNMI to provide refuge to disaster victims including affected Japanese students who can be accommodated in local schools.
Cabrera said the studies of Japanese children have been seriously disrupted because schools in their country are now being used as temporary hospitals and evacuation centers.
The speaker said Japan helped build the CNMI and continues to play an important part in the islands’ development.
Almost all the hotels on Saipan were built by Japanese investors, he noted.
He said the local people appreciate what Japan has done for the Northern Marianas.
House Resolution 17-43 states that the people of Japan “have and continue to be an integral part of our local economy and the commonwealth receiving them with open arms in this time of tragedy is part of our culture that has been passed down from generation to generation known to us as respect and honor.”
Cabrera said he is confident schools on Saipan, Tinian and Rota can accommodate Japanese students because there are teachers here, particularly at Mt. Carmel and Kagman High School, who teach Japanese language.
In a separate interview, Rep. Froilan C. Tenorio, who recently joined the celebration of the Seisa-Saipan exchange student program’s 25th anniversary, said the CNMI “should comfort” the disaster victims.
